To provide a sense of the breadth and variety of maritime occupations across North America, here we describe a variety of marine and maritime jobs. These jobs offer interesting and independent work in addition to adequate remuneration. It is hoped that, from the material in this article, you will come to understand that a worthwhile marine or maritime career can be had anywhere, at many different levels, under all kinds of conditions--if you have the skill and creativity to find or create it.
One of the career categories receiving renewed attention in the contemporary job market is that of the marine technician. To quote from a recent report prepared by the staff of Monterey Peninsula College, A National Forum on Critical Issues in Marine Advanced Technology Education.
Marine technicians are individuals who apply science and engineering skills to the marine environment, including the Open Ocean, coastal regions, estuaries, rivers, swamps, and lakes. They may work on board ships or other vessels, directly underwater (e.g., diving, in submarines), remotely underwater (e.g., ROVs), in a marine laboratory, or in any number of other marine and coastal settings. Their work often demands the ability to function safely and efficiently in the marine environment.
These individuals work in a wide range of jobs including the following: aquaculture technician, boatbuilding assistant, commercial deep-sea diving specialist, hyperbaric technician, marine engine mechanic, oceanography technician, and submersible operator.
One career deserves special attention is that of marine engine mechanic.
While still in high school, George Nylund began working at the Tuckerton Marina in New Jersey. He worked for two summers, as well as after school and on weekends during the school year. In that time he advanced from small clean-up jobs around the marina to tune-ups on the motorboats. Upon high school graduation, George decided to forego college and open Tuckerton Marine Service. His small company would perform maintenance and repair tasks. Just a couple of years old, his company has a bright future. Most investments of this nature take at least three years to show a profit. Over the late spring and the summer, George works long hours, as do his two part-time assistants. However, during the offseason, he makes his own hours, except for attending the training programs conducted by the various marine engine organizations.
Owning your own company, particularly one in which you have the opportunity to work close to water with a variety of boats, makes for an enjoyable life. However, such an undertaking requires good business acumen (accounting, taxes, and government regulations), interpersonal skills, and leadership ability. The latter involves supervising people working for you in a considerate yet structured manner. Leadership also involves decision making in terms of purchasing equipment and materials, expanding the company, advertising, and similar endeavors.
Pleasure-boating industry sales expand yearly. Annually, millions of Americans use more than ten million outboards. At present, more than six thousand marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs serve American boaters. Some eighteen hundred boatbuilding firms exist in the United States. Some employ hundreds in their many plants.
This is a major industry requiring many mechanics to service these boats.
The industry has expanded so greatly that several colleges in coastal areas and near large bodies of water have begun to offer programs for marine engine mechanics. Typical of these is Florida Keys Community College, which offers a marine diesel technology program. Diesel power is prominent in marine propulsion. Commercial shrimp and fishing fleets, charter boats, ferry boats, yachts, and tugboats typically utilize diesel power. Students can earn a certificate in marine gasoline engine technology or marine diesel technology. The latter is a one-year, thirty-one-semester-hour program that leads to a certificate in marine diesel technology. The school also offers a two-year program in marine propulsion technology leading to an associate degree.
Graduates of both programs take jobs as charter-boat captains, diesel mechanics, master engineers for commercial fishing vessels, and service managers for marine equipment suppliers.
Another Florida school offering several programs for marine technician is the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart. One of the programs relative to this topic is Boat and Engine Maintenance, which requires eighty-four hours of instruction. The curriculum focuses on three short courses: Boat Maintenance, Marine Mechanical Systems, and Vessel Systems.
According to a recent Sea Technology Buyers Guide, one of the major problems facing Gulf of Mexico workboat owners is the lack of qualified personnel; so the future for some job specialties looks good.
Community colleges and private proprietary schools (for profit) have taken the lead in the marine technology area. Most feature a combination of classroom and practical experience. Some of these schools follow:
Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) in Monterey, California, has spearheaded a program to improve the education and training of personnel in this field through working with institutions and organizations. The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center at MPC (founded in 1997) hopes to organize a national network to coordinate the education of marine technicians. They plan to disseminate information to benefit students and faculty.
If you like being around the water and have a corresponding interest in working with gas engines--visit a boat basin, yacht club, or marina. After walking around the docks and talking with some people, ask for work. Whether or not you are able to gain experience, you may wish to write to the companies that build pleasure-boat engines. In your letter, request information on them, their products, and potential employment.
See the following articles for more information:
- Find Your Calling: A Checklist
- 5 Ways To Build Your Career Outside of the Office
- How To Impress Your Interviewer When Making a Career Change
- 5 Tips For Successful Networking
