r/MarineEngineering

Hi everyone,

I'm a 3rd-year marine engineering student from Turkey. After January 2027, I'll be doing a 6-month engine cadetship onboard.

I've done some research on dual-fuel and alternative-fuel technologies, and I'd like to work in that side of the industry in the future. However, cadet places on those ships are very hard to find, so I'm planning to apply to chemical/oil tankers to build a solid foundation first.

I'd really appreciate your answers to a few questions:

What should I bring with me onboard?

How should I address my superiors onboard? (Etiquette, formalities, what's expected.)

How can I make the most of my cadetship? Besides the daily tasks, what extra things should I be doing?

What should I do when I first board as a cadet?

How do you see the future of the profession?

Are there any recommended books or resources I should read before going? At university, these subjects are taught in separate courses, so it's hard for me to see the big picture. I'm looking for something that explains how the ship's auxiliary systems work together as a whole. For example: where the exhaust gas from the turbocharger is used (exhaust gas boiler, etc.), and how that system is supplied when the main engine is not running (e.g. auxiliary boiler). Basically, a handbook-style source that connects the systems onboard.

When I first went to sea, one of the biggest challenges was turning everything learned at college into something practical.
My approach became simple: pick a system, trace it physically, work out where everything goes and understand why each component is there.
Eventually the engine room stops looking like a maze of pipes and starts making sense.
Interested to hear from other engineers. What helped you most when learning a new engine room, and what advice would you give a cadet joining their first ship?

So I'm a female and i want be a marine engineer. I have some questions but first i have to say that a lot of people doubted me so i don't say what i want to be anymore (not even my dad knows). I specifically remember the talk i had with my uncle that he said "a woman can't do that job because she will have children and she'll have to take care of them." But honestly i don't care what they say anymore. The idea of marine engineering came to my mind because i love fixing cars and motorcycles and i also want to travel the world so here are my questions:

1. Entertainment:

What's the entertainment out there? Ive heard that you have a gym and a room where you can sit and play board games and do other stuff too. I've also heard that you have unlimited internet. So is life passing quickly out there? can you overcome the loneliness?

2. Stress:

This question is about the stress of the work. Of course it's really stressful to work in a vessel while its moving and at the same time condition the whole engine room of the vessel. I know that as you get higher on ranks you have more responsibilities. Some people say that there are no sleep schedules and you sometimes work more than 12 hours. Is it true and is it really that stressful?

3. Money and travel:

As i said before, travelling is one of the reasons i want to choose marine engineering. But do you really see the world or are you inside the engine room the whole time? And of course is this job a good paying job? Will i be able to live a Financially comfortable life and do the things i like?(Not some crazy st of course)

4. Female in marine engineering:

Now i want to ask about women in the field. Is it harder for a woman to get in this field. Is it harder to get accepted in a vessel - company due to your gender? And is there men that will criticise you for joining?

5. English certificate:

This question isn't really necessary but i am just curious. What English certificate do i need to get on marine engineering because i know you have to understand and speak English very good. But I'm also confused with the certificates because most of them are only accepted in my country.

6. Vessel choice:

What type of vessels should i choose? I know most people like LNG because its higher paying and i would also like to get on an LNG but is there something i need to know about different vessel types? And how to get on a specific vessel type?

7. Moving elsewhere:

My last question is. what can i do if i want to do something else. Ive thought about going to offshore oil rigs after getting some ranks as marine engineer. But can i really get on offshore oil rigs? Are they any better? Is there anything i need to know about offshore?

8. What subjects should i focus on to school?

(Sorry for any mistake i may have made English is not my native language)

Any advice and even stories would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

(I forgot to mention I'm from Greece)

Hows it going everyone. I am about to graduate with my bachelors in mechanical engineering from CalPoly, which is an ABET accredited school meaning I only need 180 days of sea time to qualify for the 3rd A/E license. My question is what are the best ways to get that sea time? I've heard MSC (military sealift command) could be a reliable way to get that time in San Diego, which is probably where I would prefer to be while working towards the 3rd license.

I do not have experience (6 months only on bulk carrier as 4th engineer), but someone offered me job on a powership, i am a bit hesitant because "what if i cannot do? what if i fail?".

i don't know much about these ships either (as in 3rd engineer duties)

would appreciate if anyone knows or has experience to share.

thanks.

Is there any genuine agents in India where I can pay money to get placed as engine cadet onboard merchant vessels?? Please give me a guidance

Hello I am a 5th Engineer onboard. I just wanted to ask the people who did their class 4 in India if I should prefer Kochi MMD or Mumbai MMD? Pros and cons of each if possible. I stay in Kochi. ( I heard Kochi is more difficult to pass)

hello seniors! im a engine cadet and currently 3 weeks onboard, may i know what is the purpose of PT5

Been thinking about this lately. On Otto-cycle DF engines the rough rule I go by is: too rich → knock, too lean (or pilot problem) → misfire. Usually I'd look at charge air (TC, cooler, waste gate), gas quality, gas admission valves and the pilot fuel side.

In my case, I've seen a faulty gas admission valve over-supplying gas to one cylinder, which ended up causing knock.

But I'm curious what it turned out to be on your engines. Was it something boring like a fouled air cooler, or something you'd never have guessed?

Would be good to hear actual cases, since the manuals don't really tell you which causes are the common ones.