April 03, 2020
Marine Electrician
Water and electricity do not mix, therefore a marine electrician must take precautions when installing components and must understand the dynamics of water on the electrical system, such as electrolysis. All marine electrical work must be done to international standards whether you are working on a boat or a ship. Working conditions can be cramped at times as you may need to work below decks and in tight spaces. If you need to work when the vessel is at sea, this can be hot and dirty work.
A marine electrician should be able to work with very little supervision and must be able to follow wiring specifications accurately. Troubleshooting is a major part of a marine electrician’s work and a logical and analytical mind to tackle problem solving is important. So too is keeping to maintenance schedules and maintaining accurate records of work. A marine electrician has a very important role to play, as a boat or ship without power or without key systems functioning properly is a safety hazard.
As a marine electrician you will work with wiring, batteries, engines and electrical equipment for navigation and communication on a vessel. Work could involve installing new components or upgrading older systems.
Key tasks:
• Repair or replace wiring equipment or fixtures.
• Examine electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices like ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes.
• Use power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment.
• Diagnose faulty systems or parts, using equipment and hand tools to find the reason for a breakdown.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or parts to spot hazards or defects.
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to see the placement of wiring or equipment.
• Work on the installation of ground leads and connect power cables to equipment.
• Direct or train other employees to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
• Perform routine and annual maintenance.
Entry requirements/training:
Currently there is no marine electrical qualification in South Africa, but you could study to be an electrician and then specialise through on the job learning of all the marine related aspects of the job. A knowledge of electronics is an added advantage. Strong mathematical acumen and a problem solving is important.
Career advancement:
With technological advances and wireless technologies, as a Marine electrician you will need to stay up to date with developments. Some of the latest technologies are found on boats with new equipment and electronics. For example, boats powered entirely by electricity are becoming more popular as globally we aim to lower our carbon footprint.
Associated job opportunities:
To pursue these job opportunities, marine electricians typically need relevant education, such as vocational training or an apprenticeship, along with hands-on experience in marine electrical systems. Here are some potential job opportunities for marine electricians:
• Shipbuilding Yards
• Marine Equipment Manufacturers
• Cruise Lines
• Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
• Marine Electronics Companies or Commercial Shipping Companies
With a qualification as an electrician, you can always find work onshore. However, marine electricians are in short supply, and you may find the remuneration in the marine sector is better than a job in the residential or commercial electrical field. You could also look at specialising in electronics on luxury yachts or you could specialise in PLCs in the fishing industry.
