Career in Marine Engineering

Marine Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with nautical architecture and science. The term Marine Engineering is meant for research conducted in oceans and coastal or inland waters connected to the sea. This is one field of engineering which is full of excitement and involves many other scientific disciplines. Marine Engineering courses deal with construction and maintenance of ships and other sailing vessels.

The three professions, i.e. Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering and Ocean Engineering are inter related and are often confused with each other. Naval Architects are those who are involved with the basic ship design, starting from hull forms and overall arrangements, power requirements to structure and stability. Ocean Engineers study the ocean environment to determine the effects (in terms of wear and tear due to corrosion, rusting etc.) that the ocean would have on ships and other marine vehicles and structures. They may also design and operate stationary ocean platforms, or manned or remote-operated sub-surface vehicles that are used for deep sea exploration.

Marine Engineers have the complete responsibility of the ships' technical management. They are responsible for selecting the ships' machinery, which may include diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines; They are also required to chalk out the design of mechanical, electrical, fluid and control systems throughout the vessel. They are the members of the ships' crew who are in charge of managing a team of marine technicians and craftspeople. The main job obligations of a Marine Engineer are the construction, operations and maintenance of the engine room. This means that the Marine Engineer deals with the technical area of the ship. It can be easily said that they are in charge of the overall maintenance operation of the engine. They also play a vital role in maintaining the safety and standards of the marine body. With modern development and electronic navigation the role of Marine Engineers has smoothed out considerably.

Scope of Marine Engineering

Marine Engineering has gained great popularity in India. Plenty of students are attracted towards this advanced branch of engineering. It offers the best opportunity for the people who like to sail in the sea. Scope of marine engineering courses offers remunerative career options on and off shores. The employment opportunities are available in Merchant Navy, Navy and manufacturing industries. Offshore job opportunities are available in recruitment in ports, government jobs in the Directorate General of Shipping and recruitments by Shipping industries. The marine engineers can also work as teachers in the educational institutes.

The candidate gets the admission through various entrance examinations conducted between April and June. Different courses available in marine engineering are B.E., M.E. and Ph.D. For getting admission to B. E. in marine engineering, the eligibility required is 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English. It is full time 4 years course. M.E. in marine engineering is 2 years course. The candidate should be B.E. in marine engineering. The candidate who successfully completes M.E. course can proceed for Ph.D program.

Marine jobs are highly paid and enjoyable. The marine engineers get NRI status, which is, tax-free income based on their service at sea, ex-India. They also get the opportunity to see the world through sailing as a profession without any extra expense. Luxurious life through lucrative salary comes as a big compensation being away from home.

Eligibility

For doing a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering or nautical science one should have passed 10 + 2 science with physics, chemistry, maths and English. The course is of 4 years duration. After successful completion of the course, degree viz. B.E. or BTech is awarded to the students. In most institutes candidates are admitted through an entrance examination, which is normally held in the month of May every year at various centres all over India followed by viva-voice and medical examination. Other important institutes like R.L. Institute of nautical sciences, conduct an all India level online test to check knowledge of students in PCM, Psychometric and IQ awareness.

Career Options

After successful completion of BE/BTech in Marine Engineering/nautical science, one can join as fourth engineer or third assistant engineer. Since the job on the ship entails residing on ship for a major part of the year there are other exciting avenues as well.

The marine Engineers can remain within the ambit of the shipping industry and join marine workshops at land i.e. at the ports. Alternatively, the Marine Engineers can join Ship manufacturing Companies, which are equally good paymasters.

The shipping industry being the back-bone of the economy of any country, these days the Marine Engineers are employed in the I.T. sector in a major way, apart from the Consultancy Companies like Price Waterhouse Coopers and DCL. Construction Companies, Power sector, Steel industry, Electronic industry etc.

For those who want to join Government Service can join Directorate General Shipping of India. Those with entrepreneurial skills can enter the field of entrepreneurship.

Those Marine Engineers who have a passion for academics can pursue post graduation and enter the field of academics where the demand for qualified academicians in this field is growing very fast.

Marine Engineering Institutes in India:

• BP Marine Academy Navi Mumbai
• College of Engineering Andhra University
• Cochin Shipyard Ltd Kochi
• Coimbatore Marine College
• Columbus Maritime Training Institute Thane
• Indian Maritime College
• Indian Maritime University
• International Marine Communication Centre
• Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training
• Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET)
• Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI)
• Marine Officers Training Academy
• Orissa Maritime Academy (OMA)
• Ramsetu Maritime Career Institute
• Southern Academy of Maritime Studies
• Tamil Nadu Maritime Academy
• Tolani Maritime Institute
• Vels Academy of Maritime Education and Training
• White Right Shipping Agency Pvt Ltd
• Zenith Ocean Ship Management Pvt Ltd

Remuneration

The starting salary of a fresh Marine engineering graduate usually starts with USD 750 per month as a fifth engineer. It can go even high if the candidate wishes to join an oil tanker. The wages cross USD 2500 when he is upgraded to the next level, such as fourth engineer. In each promotion, the salary goes upward by an addition of USD 1000+. Interestingly, the Chief Engineer’s present day salary is almost USD 6500 and above.