Marine Electrician Job Description and Salary

Ready to pursue a career as a Marine Electrician? This article discusses the qualities and skills you need to develop to be a successful Marine Electrician. Also, it provides an estimate of the average salary of a marine electrician.

Marine electrician specializes in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems in ships, yachts, and other vessels. The job is a tedious one and may require frequent travel. 

However, the marine electrician doesn’t need to be on the ship all the time; some work in the shipyard performing their activities before they leave for sea or after they have docked.  

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What do Marine Electricians Do?

There are no special responsibilities for Marine electricians; they perform similar roles as other electricians. However, the materials, equipment, and how they conduct their services may differ. Nevertheless, we will explore the several roles and responsibilities of a marine electrician in this section. 

Installation and Configuration 

Marine electricians install new electrical systems in vessels. They ensure that the electrical systems and components are compatible with requirements as needed on the vessel. Surveying to determine the necessary systems and components for the installation process is also part of their job description.

Maintenance and Repair

One of the major responsibilities of a marine electrician is conducting periodic maintenance on the electrical systems in the vessel. The maintenance can either be a preventive or a corrective measure to ensure better working conditions that contribute to the ship’s effectiveness.

They use electrical or electronic measuring instruments, such as voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters, to conduct maintenance and repair. 

Troubleshoot and Upgrade 

In the event of malfunctions in the electrical systems, a marine electrician’s responsibility is to detect the fault and amend the problem as soon as possible. They must display a wealth of knowledge on how to use several types of equipment and methods to pinpoint the area of the problem. 

Furthermore, they also perform upgrades of the systems to ensure optimal performance of the electrical systems and components. 

Keep Maintenance Logbook and Reports 

A marine electrician must be a good record keeper; they must give comprehensive reports of the maintenance and repair activities performed in the vessel. 

In the case of any findings from their routine maintenance, they must report to the appropriate authorities to checkmate the faults and damages.

Read and Interpret Blueprints 

Part of the job description and important skill is the ability to sketch, read, and interpret electrical drawings and blueprints.

Marine electricians read blueprints and schematics to understand the specifications of the components and how they contribute to the general electrical setup in the vessel.

In addition, the ability is useful in troubleshooting faults in the system.

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What Skills Do a Marine Electrician Need?

To excel as a marine electrician, one must have the following skills. 

Technical Skills

A marine technician must demonstrate a good knowledge of technical expertise on various electrical systems and components. Also, they must be able to use various tools and electrical equipment effectively. 

Furthermore, it is necessary to have the ability as a marine electrician to understand the wiring codes and other electrical code schemes. 

Knowledge of schematics 

As a marine technician, you must be able to sketch a schematic that maps the various electrical systems and their connections. It is also necessary to ensure one can read and interpret existing schematics as a marine technician.

Problem-solving skills

Suppose you are not a lover of brainstorming and finding solutions to problems. It will be difficult to undertake marine electricians as a profession because the job entails finding solutions to immediate, unforeseen, and future problems on the ship. 

Collaboration skills

As part of an essential member of the engineering and maintenance crew on the ship, it will make sense to possess an excellent attitude towards work and your other members, irrespective of whether they are part of the team or not.

Furthermore, it is also necessary to follow the laid instructions of the superiors. Nevertheless, excellent collaboration skills are complemented by the ability to work independently. 

Mental Endurance 

The skill is crucial for marine electricians, mostly those whose job involves traveling on the ship crew. It is not an easy task to be away traveling for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to have the mental strength and endurance not to be seasick or homesick. 

Physical Strength 

Being physically fit comes with the job, except for those in the supervisory role. Often, the job may require performing heavy lifting, climbing, standing for long hours, or staying in a difficult position or space. Therefore, the physicality aspect is a crucial requirement. 

Communication Skills 

Regardless of the position or the scope of work, it is an important skill to communicate orally and written. Being a marine electrician is no exception, as one must be able to listen actively, pass clear instructions and ideas, and receive one too. 

How to Become a Marine Electrician 

The step-by-step procedure you need to become a marine electrician is the area we will explore in this section. Here, you get to understand the requirements to become a marine electrician.

First, you need to realize that being a marine electrician is much compared to being a household electrician. Therefore, it demands more education and passion. It will help you overcome the fear of water, as phobia can be a major obstacle.

That aside, the next step is to enroll in a marine electrical program at a maritime academy or an institution that provides such education. You will get basic training and practical knowledge of handling electrical vessel systems.

Furthermore, you need to complement your education with the necessary certifications and obtain licenses in the state you wish to work in and the ones in which you earn the recognition to work as a marine technician.

Also, undergoing an apprenticeship in the field can be acknowledged as part of the ways you can become a marine electrician.

Finally, completing your education and training means you are ready, so it is only right to apply for jobs. It will help if you put yourself out there in the marketplace to showcase your skills and knowledge. 

Marine Electrician Salary

For a marine electrician, the average salary in a year is $58,568 per year, following the reports from Zippia.com. 

Final Notes: Marine Electrician Job Description and Salary

Installing, configuring, repairing, and maintaining the electrical systems and associated elements of a ship, yacht boat, and other vessels are the purview of marine electricians.

The travel and exposure involved make it an intriguing career. Marine electricians don’t all work aboard ships; some also work at dockyards. In this article, we looked at a marine electrician’s responsibilities, competencies, and pay. We also looked at the process of becoming one.

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