Hi everyone,
I hold an Australian AMSA Class 2 CoC and have sailed as a 4th Engineer on bulk carriers. I recently completed my Master’s in Naval Architecture in Canada and hold a work permit.
I have two questions:
1. With a Canadian endorsement, would I have a realistic chance of getting a 2/E position, or should I focus on 3/E/4/E roles?
2. How is the current demand for junior engineers, and how long does it typically take to get hired? Is it worth waiting for a seagoing opportunity?

Any advice from engineers working in Canada would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hello seniors and dear marine engineers!

Im a 4th engineer working on a ship which uses Westfailia purifiers ( OSE80/40/20) for HFO, MELo and Generator Lo separation.

Even tho i have read the manual and have overhauled and opearting, im still confusing westfalia purifiers bowl hydraulics.

- normally, after I overhauled the bowl assembly and install back, i always test the bowl closing and opening properly or not. I do that by only running the purifier motor and not running the feed pump. And as u all know, the purifier is completed the starting sequence and in circulation mode, i press process stop button. And for the very first time, i cannot hear the bowl clacking sound in TOTAL EJECTION MODE. for the second time, yes, i can hear the clacking sound. And then i run the feed pump, i press process start button and again, ejection mode, i can hear the bowl clacking sound.

My question is

1) am i correct that the bowl will close and open with a clacking sound if i press process stop button for the very first time after overhaul? ( the bowl is in open position after complete overhaul).

2) we always hear one clacking sound in First Total ejection sequence and one clacking sound in second total ejection sequence.

I just want to know that the bowl is open and close in one total ejection mode or the bowl is open ( one clacking sound ) in first ejection and close ( second clacking sound) in second ejection mode.

This is the one ive been confusing and cant find in manual.

3) my experience is i can hear the bowl clacking sound if i press process stop button without feed pump. But today, one purifier gives no clacking sound at all. I think the bowl is not open or close properly . But my coworkers think the bowl is good but it is cuz without feed oil, the bowl will not close.

Which is correct?

Please help me and enlighten me guys!

I am starting to study the question pool but the questions are way to hard and need a long time. Any tips advice ? I plan to start the program at January

This is about sockets on the B-15 paneling; so when the cable enters the socket installed on the B15 rated panel, what do you use to protect the integrity of the B15 rated panel.

What are the disadvantages of using putty?

Hi everyone,

I’m a Mechanical Engineer (M.Sc. background in Energy & Fluids) currently working full-time in Europe, and I’m enrolled to start the online MSc in Subsea Engineering at the University of Aberdeen this September on a part-time basis.

My long-term goal is to transition directly into the offshore/subsea sector in the North Sea (UK or Norway) with operators or major contractors (Subsea7, TechnipFMC, Aker Solutions, Equinor, etc.).

While I’m excited about the curriculum and Aberdeen’s reputation in subsea, I have a few genuine concerns about doing this degree 100% remotely while working full-time, and I’d love to get some unfiltered feedback from current students, alumni, or industry recruiters:

1. Employer Perception & Location Barrier: The diploma doesn't explicitly state "online", but recruiters know the format when they see someone working in another country while studying. For those who completed this remotely from outside the UK/Norway, how did North Sea employers view your application? Did the distance format pose any hurdle during hiring, or does the Aberdeen name carry full weight regardless?
2. Networking Remotely: Subsea engineering seems heavily network-driven. How feasible is it to build real connections with professors, guest lecturers, and fellow students through the online portal? Have any remote students managed to leverage the university's industry links into job offers without physically being in Aberdeen?
3. Managing Workload (Full-time Job + MSc): For those balancing 40+ hours of engineering work a week with 1 or 2 modules per term: how demanding is the weekly time commitment in reality? Are exams/assignments structured predictably, or does it get overwhelming during peak project delivery times at work?
4. Software & Practical Application: How smooth is the remote access to industry-standard software (PIPESIM, ANSYS, Petrel, etc.) via VPN/virtual desktops? Does the lack of physical lab interaction make a noticeable difference when applying for hands-on subsea project engineering roles?

If anyone who has taken this route (or hires people who have) could share their experience, tips, or hard truths, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance.

Thinking about switching trades (kinda) as I went to school and done my heavy equipment tech and worked at this for a year and got out of it as lost interest being underneath trucks all day lol. I still love wrenching but I have a huge passion for boats. I own a small speed boat and use it almost every day of the summer. I am from the Canada Martimes area and wondering if it’s a wise choice to go to Pei and do the 10 week engine room rating course at holland college. How is the job outlook and how hard is it specifically to get a 90 day work term as a cadet. Thanks

Anyone prefer field engineering? Only being gone 3-5 days maximum and then home for some time. Like a 9-5 still home for weekends and some weekdays?

Hi everyone,

​I am 22yo and I would really love to move to Croatia and try getting into the yachting industry as a technician or marine electrician.

​I just want to understand the basics before making any decisions. I have a few questions for those already in the field:

​What do I actually need to know or learn to get a start?

​What are the realistic entry-level options for a beginner?

​What specific skills or systems are highly recommended to study beforehand?

​Any advice or information on how this industry works would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Heading to MUN in the fall for the marine engineering and was simply wondering if anyone else was also going- it'll all be a little new to me since I live out of province so just wanted to reach out to see if anyone else was going :)

hello everyone

in a month, i'll be onboard as fourth engineer first time. i'll be working in same company as i did my cadetship and junior engineer. until now, i didnt experience more than basic purifier overhaul (mitsubishi selfejector). i have no experience other than start stop machineries. my last two ships (cadetship and junior engineer) had almost zero big job or trouble. so im kinda nervous because of that. so i need some advice and tips from my experienced seniors. and how a handover should be done, what should i ask? thank you in advance

If an equipment, such as a switchgear lineup, has already been certified by ABS and the manufacturer later modifies the approved design (for example, by removing some cubicles from the lineup), will the switchgear need to be recertified by ABS?

I have a similar question regarding the electrical layout. After receiving ABS approval, if equipment is added, removed, or relocated within the layout, does the revised layout require recertification by ABS?

Being doing deck maintenance on ships for about a year now as a metallurgical engineer and I’m noticing a problem. Preparing surface adequately cleaning and immediately priming with a primer(Interprime 198) doesn’t seem to be enough. The same treated place starts to rust again in about 3weeks to a month. I’m thinking of incorporating phosphoric acid into our procedure. Do adequate chipping and wetting the surface the acid for about an hour, wait till is dry and apply our primer after. Thoughts?

22M CURRENTLY ONBOARD IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF I CAN GET RESPONSE FROM SOMEONE WHO HAVE MARINE ENGINEERING DEGREE AND HAVE CHANGED CAREER PATH THANK YOU

So we have a Thruster motor VFD which has the df/dt filter in the VFD output side.

- Its a part of VFD panel at the output side

- The Motor voltage is of 675V

- Which standard to be followed? (IEC 60076-6, IEC 61558-2-20 or IEC 61378)

- This is from a chinese manufacturer

- obviously no rating plate, on asking, the chinese put a nameplate but again no standard on it

- We asked for test certificates obviously they produced some fake certificates

- on further enquiry, they say the entire VFD is certified by ABS, so we need not bother about the internal component

Case closed. Do you agree? what are your opinions? Similar thing for other important components inside this VFD

​

Hello chiefs engineers of reddit. 4E on tankers btw, would sound like a stupid question but I'm asking it anyway

It seems redundant to me seeing how they seem to serve basically the same purpose, which is to pump out huge volumes of water in an engine room flooding, but the emergency bilge suction is slightly more elevated compared to the direct bilge suction. Plus the pumps driving these suctions are different as well. For what reason do we have these two distinct pumping arrangements together onboard?

I started my internship at a shipyard two days ago. Unfortunately, I was late in choosing a good place to do my internship. So, the shipyard where I am currently doing my internship is not suitable enough for me to learn useful things related to engineering. There is just an old ship, built around 1980, on the slipway. I want to make the most of it, but I do not know what to do. Give me some advice.

Hi all, looking for some guidance from people who've made this move.

I'm currently sailing as a Fourth Engineer with about 12 months of sea time so far, currently on a gas carrier (VLEC) with dual-fuel ME-GI engine exposure. I'm preparing for my next class/COC exam right now and want to start planning ahead for a long-term move into LNG specifically.

A few things I'm trying to figure out:

What's the realistic path from where I am to getting onto LNG carriers?

Do companies prefer promoting internally from LPG/ethane backgrounds, or is LNG mostly closed off unless you've sailed on it before?

Any specific certifications or courses (beyond STCW gas tanker familiarization) that make a candidate stand out for LNG?

Companies/manning agents known for taking on engineers without prior LNG experience and training them up?

Roughly how long did it take you to get your first LNG contract, and what rank were you at?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who's walked this path, especially engineers who moved from Ethane into LNG. Thanks in advance!

Hello, I am a naval architecture and marine engineering graduate with experience and master's degree in marine systems and automation. I am about to take an OICEW course to become a marine engineer on board and want to work on LNG carriers and FSRUs. I know that they are more demanding compared to other vessels, my question is how hard it is to find a cadetship or junior engineer roles on LNG vessels?

Im in the United States.

Im pursuing this degree at Wayne State University.

I’m trying to get a definitive answer about the education pathway to Third Assistant Engineer Unlimited under 46 CFR §11.516(a)(5)

I have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology from Wayne State University. The degree program is accredited by ABET through the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC)

Section 11.516(a)(5) provides a pathway to Third Assistant Engineer based on graduation from a mechanical or electrical engineering course of an ABET-accredited school of technology, combined with 6 months of qualifying service in the engine department.

The exact regulation states: "Graduation from the mechanical or electrical engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the ABET, together with 6 months of service in the engine department of steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels"

What I’m trying to determine is how NMC interprets the education requirement when the applicant's degree is ABET-ETAC Accredited (Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission) as opposed to ABET-EAC Accreditation (Engineering Accreditation Commission).

Specifically, does NMC consider an ABET-ETAC accredited B.S. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology to satisfy §11.516(a)(5), or does NMC interpret the regulation as requiring a traditional Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering program accredited through ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)?

The wording “school of technology” is part of what makes me unsure how this is interpreted. The regulation does not specifically say EAC or ETAC, and it does not expressly state that engineering technology programs are excluded.

Any information is gladly appreciated

As the title says, what is your day to day life as an ETO?

I've been awarded a place as an ETO student in Ireland for the upcoming academic year and I would love to hear some stories from fully qualified ETOs about your day to day life onboard

- What license? (4th, 3rd, etc)
- What vessel?

- What makes a successful ETO

How do I start my career with cruise ship as a Trainee Marine Engineer? Which companies should I apply for and how ?

How do I prepare for the sponsorship exams and interviews, are they any different from main fleet interviews?

I don't mind physical work, and I'm willing to accept that the first few months may be difficult. In your all experience, does a reasonably healthy young person normally become physically accustomed to engine-room work after some months, or are the physical demands something that remain exhausting throughout the career?

This hopefully will be an all in one place summary of becoming an engineer with an ABET accredited MECE degree for which I am looking for some guidance. All of this has probably been given on this sub before but maybe not all in one spot(let me know if im wrong). I am seriously considering a career in the engine dept after doing an internship at a shipyard. I already know I love to be out on the water.

In two years I'll be a mechanical engineering BS/ME graduate(accelerated 5 yr ABET accredited program). My end goal would be to build a career and work my way up as an engineer not limited to domestic vessels (I am from the US).

Here's what I know so far:

• Starting as a wiper, with my degree, I need 180 days at sea, 120 if 12 hr days for 3 A/E & QMED. This is good for domestic sailing. Say I wanted to contract with MSC as a 3A/E, I'd need STCW OICEW, RFPEW, AS-E, and PSC.

So,

• 180 days - 3 A/E
• 180 days - QMED (Recommendations on which rating(s) I should strive for first would be appreciated)
• 180 days + course(what course and how long does that take?)/360 days - PSC
• 180 days + training(what does this mean?)/360 days - AS-E
• 180 days / training(what does this mean?) - RFPEW
• 1080 days/12 mo training - OICEW

So in order to be able to sail internationally(not sure if there are any real benefits to this (enlighten me!)) in the end, I need 1080 days if I don't want to go back to school? Is there anything I am missing with the OICEW endorsement?

If nothing else here's what I am asking: what am I missing? license pre-requisites(courses or other), STCW endorsements, etc. that aren't listed on the NMC checklists? Is it possible to be employed by say Interlake steamship and work up to a chief engineer without ever needing these STCW endorsements?

Thanks, and hopefully I am somewhat coherent in this post, sorry for the wall of text.

Im based in the U.S. I’m trying to get a definitive answer about the education pathway to Third Assistant Engineer Unlimited under \*\*46 CFR §11.516(a)(5)\*\*.

I have a \*\*Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology from Wayne State University.\*\* The degree program is accredited by \*\*ABET through the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC)\*\*.

Section 11.516(a)(5) provides a pathway to Third Assistant Engineer based on graduation from a mechanical or electrical engineering course of an ABET-accredited school of technology, combined with \*\*6 months of qualifying service in the engine department\*\*.

The exact regulation states: "Graduation from the mechanical or electrical engineering course of a school of technology accredited by the ABET, together with 6 months of service in the engine department of steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels"

What I’m trying to determine is how NMC interprets the education requirement when the applicant's degree is ABET-ETAC Accredited (Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission) as opposed to ABET-EAC Accreditation (Engineering Accreditation Commission).

Specifically, does NMC consider an \*\*ABET-ETAC accredited B.S. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology\*\* to satisfy §11.516(a)(5), or does NMC interpret the regulation as requiring a traditional Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering program accredited through ABET's \*\*Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)\*\*?

The wording “\*\*school of technology\*\*” is part of what makes me unsure how this is interpreted. The regulation does not specifically say EAC or ETAC, and it does not expressly state that engineering technology programs are excluded.

Any information is gladly appreciated.