User:Mbellamy4849/sandbox

Education:
Training to become a Licensed Marine Engineer is very extensive. One must go through an intensive 4 year program at an accredited school such as a maritime academy. A student must complete numerous Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses on various aspects of the operation of a ship including but not limited to: how to properly operate ship’s systems, fight fires, apply medical aid aboard ship and many more. [1] To ensure that any engineer from any country will have the same knowledge base STCW courses are enforced by the International Maritime Organisation on all signatories. The International Maritime Organization also known as the IMO is an agency of the United Nations. It ensures that all counties have a base standard for all licensing programs. This ensures that any licence obtained in one country will work (or at least be able to transferred to a different countries licencing certificate) in another. The IMO is also critical because the maritime industry is a truly international industry an overarching regulatory agency not regulated by a single country in necessary. All of these requirements are designed so that the first time an engineer sets foot in an engine room after being hired they will have the knowledge base to be able to operate it effectively and safely. Another requirement to obtain a license is sea time, sea time is measured in days. 180 days is the minimum amount of sea time that is needed to obtain a 3rd Assistant Engineers license in the United States however requirements for licencing will differ from country to country. This ensures that the engineer is able to function at sea and has adjusted to life on board a vessel. The reason for the extensive training is that an ship’s crew must be able to solve any problem on the ship from a small leak in a pipe to the biggest threat to a ship, a fire. With out these strict guidelines the working environments aboard a ship would be much more dangerous. [2]

Career:
Engineering Officers have many options for careers. A Marine Engineer may work on a cargo ship or an oil tanker or any other ship that requires a licenced watch officer aboard. In 2017, the median pay was $55,590 per year in the United States, although this will increase as the engineer acquires more advanced licences. In the UK a Marine Engineer will make £24,000 ($31,300) as a starting salary. While an experienced engineer will make about £55,000 ($71,730). A typical engineer will work on ships for about 6 months out of the year with 6 months off of the job. A a majority of engineers are apart of a Workers' Union, this gives them unique advantages such as jobs that are not available to non union members and paid vacation time. However these advantages come with some restrictions, one cannot work using their license when on vacation and as is the case with most unions dues are required to join the union. A major advantages that unions provide is bargaining power with the companies to get safe working environments and fair wages. Safe working environments are essential for marine engineers because of the inherently dangerous working environment that they live and work in. [3]

Licensure:
Licensure is an important factor in any sailor life. In the United States, the Coast guard are reasonable for licensing of marine engineers and deck officers. The different levels of License determine how much knowledge and experience the holder of the license has. The third assistant engineers license is the most basic license that an engine officer can hold, while a chief engineers license is the most advanced licenses available. There are different types of licenses that limit the amount of Horsepower or the type of Propulsion that the engineer can work on. Besides sea time, one must pass exams to obtain a license. There are many different types combinations of licenses that include the propulsion type such as gas turbine, steam, desiles and many others. There are also different horsepowers that are attached to a licence 3rds licence. For an unlimited horsepower on any propulsion type a prospective 3rd A/E will have to pass 8 tests that must be passed before a  license can be awarded. These tests include: two tests on motor plants, two tests on steam plants, a test on gas turbine engines, a test about electrical systems, a test on engine safety, and a general test on engines. Without a license one cannot work on certain larger vessels. [4] In the United Kingdom licensure is determined by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). One must obtain a Certificate of Competency (CoC) to be able to sail,  a CoC is issued to both deck and engine officers. To obtain a CoC one must have: Testimonials of Sea service, a certificate of physical fitness, valid passport, certificates of courses completed, and a certificate from a program approved by the MCA. A prime example of how having standards across countries makes working from a ship registered in a different countries easier the MCA also has an equivalent license. To obtain the equivalent licence one must have: a non UK competency certificate (e.g. a 3rd A/E from the United States Coast Guard), STCW course equivalencies from a certified school, a valid passport, evidence of knowledge of the English language, and a certificate proving the ability to operate a marine radio. Although there are differences in the ways that different countries license their mariners, STCW and the International Maritime Organization ensure that if one obtained a license from one country that license should be valid on any other signatory of the IMO.

Ranks and titles:
There are several types and ranks of engine officer that are employed in the engine department of a ship. These ranks determine the amount of knowledge that the holder of the licence has. This, in turn, determines how qualified they are to run the engine room on the ship.