Marine Electrician

Unlike your everyday Electrician, a Marine Electrician is specially trained to work with ships and water at the same time. The unique working environment of a Marine Electrician puts you in confined spaces, often lofting with the motion of the water. Whether you are fixing a radio, locating an electrical short, or replacing a faulty switch, your skills keep the ship’s electronics in proper working order.

Although the word marine refers to water, you don’t always have to get your feet wet as a Marine Electrician. Many jobs are on land within a manufacturing plant or shipyard. When a new ship is being built, you install components for the electrical system. This means handling gauges, outlets, light fixtures, and the wires that link them all together. In an existing boat, you work to upgrade older systems by replacing parts or running different wire.

You are also responsible for repairs. In a large ship, such as a cruise ship, this can be a full-time job in itself.

Finally, maintenance is also a huge part of your job. Using special tools such as voltmeters and ohmmeters, you test equipment to make sure it functions properly. You pay attention to maintenance schedules and keep careful records of the work you’ve done.

Because water and electricity don’t mix, you take special precautions when you install the components. Even if your feet are dry, you need to understand the dynamics of water on the electrical system. This ensures the safety of guests and crew once the vessel hits the open seas.