Marine Engineering (Thesis Sample)

Marine Engineering
Name
Student Number
Institution
Introduction
Marine engineering is the discipline that entails applying of engineering sciences. It includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, and computer science, to the development, design, operation and maintenance of watercraft propulsion, onboard systems, and oceanographic technology. Not limited to just power and propulsion plants, machinery, piping, automation and control systems for marine machines of any type like surface ships and submarines (Russell, P. A., Morton, T. D., & Jackson, L, 2012). Marine engineers work with all sorts of vessels, such as sailboats, submarines, aircraft carriers, and tankers, from their make to their construction and maintenance. (Taylor, D. A, 1990)
They deal with the ship's mechanical systems, like steering and propulsion and work hand in hand with naval architects who deal with the general design, ensuring that the form of the vessel is sufficiently stable and durable (Williams, R. G. (2009). Not all marine engineering deals with moving ships. Offshore construction, which is also referred to as offshore engineering, ocean engineering or maritime engineering, deals with the technical structure of fixed and floating marine structures, such as oil platforms and offshore wind farms. The marine engineers described in this profile differ from the individuals who operate the machinery on the ship. Although those individuals are also known as marine engineers, they are more frequently called ship engineers. (Nichols, C. R, 2009)
The primary roles of a marine engineer are; Inspecting and evaluating marine equipment, testing marine machinery and equipment in the areas of performance, preparing layouts, technical drawings and schematics of ship systems operation, and environmental impact. They also ensure all machinery tests are in compliance with regulations; they work with various regulatory sectors to ensure that any repair work is done as safely and as inexpensively as possible. Additionally, a marine engineer prepares technical reports, used by sales personnel, managers, and other engineers, drawing up contracts accordingly, estimating project costs and timetables. Communicating with contractors and ensuring that deadlines and budgets are also kept (International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition, & Institute of Marine Engineers, 2000).
Job Market
Marine engineering is thriving worldwide, and there are acute shortages of skilled personnel (Marcus, A. I. (2005). A significant number of companies have shifted their interest toward producing electricity and selling it back to the power company, through the use of tidal power generators and offshore wind turbines. Marine engineers are highly recommended when selecting employees to work in the gas and oil industry, particularly with offshore drilling technology. Many companies are looking and drilling for fossil fuel reserves at the bottom of the ocean; the companies are trying to do this in climates that are quite inhospitable hence marine engineers will be useful in designing and constructing offshore rigs that can function in these environments. (International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering, & Eça, L., 2013)
There is an increasing need for ships and systems that can transport energy products, for instance, liquefied natural gas worldwide, which requires more marine engineers. Some governments require different vessels that carry oil and gas to be double-hulled; hence many fleets will need to be re-engineered to conform to these regulations, a task that will require many marine engineers (Cork, S. 2005). Also, many existing ships need to be modified and repaired to comply with new pollution and emissions regulations.
For instance, the Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and International Seafarers Federation (ISF) Manpower Report (2010) did research and revealed recurrent shortages for officers especially on ship types such as tankers and offshore support vessels. While seafaring remains to be an exciting and rewarding profession, it needs mental and physical abilities and strengths to enable one withstand the challenges at sea. As emphasized by the BIMCO. The council also added that despite the global economic crises, the demand for highly competent marine engineers and officers and ratings to man vessels around the world is still going strong (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, 2002).
According to the (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, 2002, pg.58) The Current Global Shipping Market Supply and Demand also raised the issue of shortage of marine engineers. In 2005, the organization carried out research on the projected level of the theoretical shortage of marine officers for the global fleet. Results showed that a shortage of 10,000 marine officers and an oversupply of ratings were expected. This report added that unless measures are taken to address the problem, the shortage of naval officers will escalate to 27,000. (Majumdar, S., 2011 pg.96) Similarly, this report stressed the existence of a global shortage of trained ratings, machinists, fitters, welders, and petty officers which also has to be addressed. There are measures implemented to alleviate the shortage problem by the maritime stakeholders including the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP). According to (Majumdar, S., 2011), in 2008, this organization carried out several training programs to focus the shortage issues in the seafarers in cooperation with manning and shipping companies and the government agencies involved in the maritime industry. Although current reports still indicate the same problem of shortage of marine technicians and engineers.
Plan for Succeeding in the Industry
As an aspiring marine engineers, like all engineers, I should have a high aptitude for physics and mathematics, and the ability to think both independently and work collaboratively. Before these, I must undergo education and attain a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, marine engineering technology, or marine systems engineering. Practical training in a marine engineering or related field is an additional thing I should focus to add on to the bachelor's degree since most employers in the industry value it. Alternatively I can train as an engineering officer in the Merchant Navy or Royal Navy and move into commercial marine engineering later.
Depending on the sector I will major in as a marine engineer, I need a detailed technical knowledge of naval construction, and electrical, mechanical and engineering systems. In addition to the knowledge and education, I need to acquire excellent skills in Mathematics and Information Technology, design, flexibility, confidence, perseverance and transferable skills. I should also have the patience for work that undergoes rounds of changes and takes years to complete. My success in the industry is majorly based on knowledge, the more you know, the better decision you can make, and the better things go, the more respect you can command.
Obstacles and How to Overcome
Engineering courses take more years and have a higher priced fee than most other courses. In this field, I require a great deal of long-term investing on something that the payday is in monetary terms, generally not so impressive compared to other viable avenues that young people can get. There are a lot of unknowns, upsets, tough times, but most thriving engineers have succeeded by focusing on the big picture and persevere (Cruickshank, I., 2005). Hence, they can draw much satisfaction and pride that comes from accomplishing in this major that challenges most human faculties. Therefore, hard work, perseverance, and patience should be my greatest virtue. I must as well apply confidence skills to tackle just about anything, and never be out of work.
Challenges
Working in ship design or construction, your job might be shore based. You could also be away fro...