What can I expect as an engineer aboard different vessels?

[McBoo]

Hello All!

I have recently fallen in love with the idea of becoming an engineer cadet and have begun researching the different opportunities available. I am currently in Year 12 and would hope to begin as a cadet after finishing my A levels, in September 2015

I would be grateful if any of you cadets/officers/anyone else would be able to give me an idea of the main differences between working on a cruise ship, container ship or tanker. What sort of person is each likely to suit? Are the day to day duties of an engineer much different? I know each company and the crew on board will make a big difference and so I'm just looking for a general overview.

Many thanks,

Eden

[bahco]

Hello All!

I have recently fallen in love with the idea of becoming an engineer cadet and have begun researching the different opportunities available. I am currently in Year 12 and would hope to begin as a cadet after finishing my A levels, in September 2015

I would be grateful if any of you cadets/officers/anyone else would be able to give me an idea of the main differences between working on a cruise ship, container ship or tanker. What sort of person is each likely to suit? Are the day to day duties of an engineer much different? I know each company and the crew on board will make a big difference and so I'm just looking for a general overview.

Many thanks,

Eden

Hi McBoo, I'm not a current cadet myself, but I'm also an aspiring engineer. On cruise ships engineers spend a lot more time around the hotel sides (lifts, refrigeration etc) were as on container ships tankers etc you would most likely spend more time working in the engine room I think. Also better technology on cruise ships.

[Clanky]

Cruise ships: as a junior officer generally engine room watch keeping for 8 hours per day as well as maintaining the bits of kit that have been assigned to you (purifiers, compressors, boilers etc.) The main engines are usually maintained by the daywork fitters. The hotel maintenance is normally done by a dedicated hotel engineer. Different companies have different policies about access to passenger facilities.

Container ships: daywork, mostly doing planned maintenance and fixing things that break. With small crews you get involved with everything.

Tankers: never done them myself, but from what I understand similar to container ships but you get involved with the cargo as well.

Offshore: a mixture of watch keeping when the boat is working and daywork when on standby. Again, small crew so you get involved in everything.

[Chiefy]

Boxe boats expect some cargo stuff if heavy reefer ship.....like this tub 1600 slots take some looking after. Otherwise what he said

[McBoo]

Thanks for the info folks.