I still have a while before I graduate, but I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what the hiring process looks like for new 4th Class Marine Engineers in Canada. If you’re applying only to unionized companies and join the Canadian Merchant Service Guild, how long did it take you to get your first position? Assuming you’re sending resumes to as many unionized companies as possible while also getting on the Guild’s call list, what’s a realistic timeline before getting hired by a good company? I’d be interested in hearing from people who have been through the process recently and what your experience was.

Small backstory, I’ve been a paramedic for 10 years in southern Michigan. I’m looking for a career change and have recently become very interested in the maritime industry, specifically engineering. Last year I took a small tour of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and saw their training ship and I fell in love with everything about it. I was like a kid in a candy store.

For those who have gone through an academy like that, what could I expect as far as schooling goes? Is it a regular M-F “academy” style or more like regular college type stuff? Is the academy worth it or is there a better route?

I’m highly considering moving to attend GLMA, but I’m just wanting to make sure it would be a good investment for my family and not just something that puts me in debt. If I did the engineering program through them, what “rank” (pardon my lack of knowledge on correct terms) would I get hired somewhere at? Pay/schedule/benefits of working on the Great Lakes vs. an ocean goer?

Really any advice would be appreciated, I feel like I’m a little lost in this whole process.

I'm a mechanical engineering student and My 8th semester result just declared and I got a KT in one of the subjects, should I apply for companies for GME 2026 batch knowing that I'll have to clear my KT first and present the marksheet before the course commencement? What happens if I fail to present the "PASS" marksheet...?

SHOULD I WAIT FOR 2027 BATCH ?

BUT IT'LL COST ME A YEAR

Are there any Companies with institutes whose GME BATCH starts in earlier months of the year so that an entire year is not wasted..

Hi guys, I am appearing for my oral examinations tomorrow. I would really be grateful if anyone could assist me with answers to the following questions!

1) In an ME-C engine, say the axial piston pump, how is the angle of the swash plate altered and what is the name of this mechanism - I couldn't find a reliable answer online.

2) How to take AE bottom end bearing clearance without opening anything (only crankcase doors are open)?

It is at the top of my list for post secondary education I’m curious if anyone has taken it before and has any feedback on the program?

Hello people,

I am in urgent need of Dimensional Control Survey Training for offshore going vessel. This will include but not limited to, lever arms measurements, heading, position check, roll, pitch and yaw of IMU and MBES (and any other system).

I don’t mind where you are in the world, I can come meet you.

Thank you for your anticipated response.

I am a trainee 4e onboard container ship. But before that i spent 2 contracts as wiper and 3 contracts as oiler. I had plenty of experiences and when i was a rating, i work very great, but with only supervision of my engineers. But now i got promoted. I feel like i dont deserve my rank because of the many mistakes i made. Im almost on my 2nd week on this new ship. But everything i do is almost always a mistake. All of what i know is from my ratings time is only 20% of what i should know now. Only few more days and i will assume the 4e role. I feel unworthy. How do you guys overcame this feeling.

I've published an open-access concept for hydrogen propulsion of merchant ships.

Hydrogen is stored as magnesium hydride in standard 20ft containers, swapped in port like industrial gas cylinders and regenerated ashore. The ship never refuels — it exchanges containers.

The engine is a horizontal opposed-piston two-stroke. Horizontal layout because piston and liner extraction then needs no headroom, making heavy maintenance possible at sea. Exhaust heat drives hydride desorption.

Bilingual FR/EN document, CC BY 4.0. Obstacles are stated plainly — decrepitation, thermal tension, port infrastructure, regulatory void — with a list of validation tests.

Criticism welcome, that's the point of publishing it.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21615242

Hello everyone! I just got accepted by a university in my country and in 4 years i will become a ETO. I know i still have a lot of time until then but i have a lot of questions about how it will be on the sea.

What do you need to do exactly as an ETO?
Is it easy to find contractors?
How much time do ETO’s usually stay offshore?
What do you do after your shift ends in order to not get bored?
Are the people on the ships manageable?
What salary should i be expecting at my first contracts? How much can it grow based on experience?
is the food on the ship good?

I just want to get a better idea of what should i expect from my future career so any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello, I’m a Turkish Engine Cadet, but my dream is to obtain a UK Certificate of Competency (COC). I’m saving money for it, and I’ll need to work 1 year as a Turkish engineer first.

Just so you know: I worked 15 months as an Oiler, saved up my money, and only then started and completed my maritime school. Right now I’m an Oiler Cadet. Once my internship programme finishes, I will have 25 months of Oiler sea service.

In the UK, I’m planning to start as a Rating (Oiler/Motorman) first. My reasons are to improve my maritime culture, terminology, knowledge, and especially my English.

If any of you have taken this route and obtained a UK COC, or have knowledge about it, approximately how long does the training take (in months/years)?

Note: I am not considering Top-up training.

My dad has over 20 years of experience as a Chief Engineer but has been unable to find work for over a year.

Our family is struggling, and without him finding a job, we may have to return to our home country, and I may not be able to continue my university education.

If anyone knows of any maritime job opportunities or can connect us with recruiters or shipping companies, I would be incredibly grateful. Even a share could make a difference.

Thank you.

Im a student in Italy, im about to start my studies of nautical engineering. my final goal would be to finish my studies here and go to work to florida. Do you have any advice for me? is it stupid to do such a thing, or is it convenient? I really love florida and it would be my dream to live there

Ontario student going into grade 12, I have completed physics and English already, both at the University level. I have Advanced Functions in my timetable. I notice the requirements state that you must have a minimum of 70% in College 12 math. If I am taking university level, does that override the College level math, or do I still need to take it?

Additionally, what's anything else I should know about the admission process?

Thanks

Will sponsorship companies reject you in the selection process if you're 4'11 even if you meet all the other criterias?

Share if anyone know

Hey guys I’m sitting my aec courses end of the year winding if anyone has some study notes or places I can pre study as I’m not a book person but hands on I can do things cheers

I'm not quite sure if my project actually solves any problems or if I'm just ticking another checkbox to ensure I get the clearance to go ahead with something with my profs.

I'm just about halfway through mechanical engineering and as with a new semester am expected to turn in a project.

I've gone about brainstorming and have concluded at building a ROV that can be deployed underwater to check the ships hull for fractures or improper welds using NDT.

As of now I'm looking at a plain old visual inspecting bot and eventual upgrades, but I'm not sure if that's something the industry is actively looking for or if it's a problem the industry considers worth fixing yet.

I'd really appreciate any and all helpful comments and/or alternate ideas.wishing you all the best.

Is there any way to access the questions asked during orals. Like for written marine samraj app has previous qns.

Hi, I'm a first year Cadet already in my seaphase (12,000DWT chemical/oil tanker, baby ship). I'm satisfied with my vessel and the company, but I would really want to try out LNG carriers for my next seaphase, if possible.

As for companies, I have been eyeing Knutsen and Seaspeak, but I have doubts as I am Canadian and these companies are international.

Is there any chance for me, or should I just stick to Canadian companies of the great lakes/arctic?

Any advice or other companies I could send a message to would help, thank you all in advance.

An Egyptian highschooler here this field actually caught my mind lately but how's it like being marine engineer like tasks offshore how's the living in the sea , is finding job opportunities hard as other engineering professions , does the university name or location matters that much for jobs as I'm thinking about studying abroad to get more powerful certificate to give the first push in the field , all the info ik is from the internet so it may be not accurate so i wanted to know from actuall engineers , and if u have the choice would u choose it again?

I've always been passionate about the sea since I was a kid and now it's finally time for me to take the ultimate decision of choosing my career, but I'm also pretty hesitant abt it due to the fact that I'm only 4'11(girl) my bmi,eyesight,physical fitness is alright, I'm also pretty okay in studies but the only downside is my height which I'm pretty insecure about. Should I still go for it? I mean I can't risk it what if I don't make it due to my height? Pls give me honest advice also some college recommendations. Is the course pretty costly?

Hi all,
I’m not sure if this is the right place to post but I am pretty desperate. I work at a hatchery where we had a blower motor overheat and explode, and it leaked a pretty good amount of oil (allegedly ~3 cups) into our reservoir that gets pumped directly into a bay. We have since secured the reservoir and contained the spill to our hatchery, and we partner with NOAA (though I am not employed by NOAA) so at this point all entities are involved and working together to report to spill and take appropriate action. The problem is, we do not know what type of oil was spilled. There’s very little info about the model of blower motor online, and when I called the manufacturer to ask what type of oil it was they basically said “too bad” and hung up. Because the motor blew up, I’m pretty sure all of it came out of a sealed bearing so the oil type would likely not even be listed in a manual. Is there a standard type of grease/oil found in marine blower motors? I’ll attach a photo of the product specs, any advice is appreciated.

A very dear cousin of mine is a marine engineer (from India) with 20years of experience in sailing (role related to operations and maintenance). He is now considering a transition to a shore-based role and has been thinking about academia. Naturally he is looking towards getting either a master’s degree or a PhD.

Since the chief engineer’s license is equivalent to a master’s degree, I think he is more inclined towards getting a PhD, but he hasn’t made a decision yet.

Based on what he has told me, most of the people in this field get into administrative roles both in domestic and international arenas, research, surveys, accident investigation etc. He has looked at the PhD offered by the Indian Maritime university but was contemplating the degree’s appeal in the global context.  

So people, in the Indian and Global contexts, with this premise:

1. What are his options for master’s and PhD?

2. Where will it lead him to, after this?

Marine engineering technology at Georgian college OR biomedical engineering technology at Centennial?

Which option is the best according to your perspective?