Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7233
Marine mechanic
A marine mechanic is a person who is responsible for a ship's engines and mechanical parts, and who maintains, repairs and replaces faulty parts and equipment.
Check yourself in a minute: marine mechanic
Rate 5 of the 36 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
prepare main engines for navigation operations
repair engines
moor vessels
ensure integrity of hull
operate vessel engine room
About marine mechanic
The mechanic carries out maintenance and repairs on the marine engine and on the other machinery on board: boilers, generators and electrical equipment. Routine servicing is planned rather than waited for, and a record of maintenance activities is kept showing what has been done and when. Technical documentation is used throughout, because an engine of a given type has its own clearances, torques and service intervals.
Cleaning ship components belongs to the job as well: cracks and leaks are easier to spot on a clean machine.
A mechanic on a ship also follows regulations. They ensure vessel compliance with regulations, which covers the machinery certificates and the records that go with them, apply cargo transport regulations where the cargo affects how the machinery is run, and prepare equipment for navigational operations. The mechanic also distinguishes between types of vessel. The mechanic communicates with other crew members at operational level. Certification requirements are set by national maritime rules.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (36)
international waterwaysinternational waterwaysThe international waterways used for maritime navigation, the geographical location of currents, maritime waterways, and harbours.functions of vessel deck equipmentfunctions of vessel deck equipmentThe required performance level of deck and safety equipment and vessel lifting facilities.mechanics of vesselsmechanics of vesselsThe mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.vessel fuelsvessel fuelsThe characteristics and properties of vessel fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.electrical systems used in transportationelectrical systems used in transportationThe functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.inland waterway ship buildinginland waterway ship buildingThe various methods for constructing inland waterway vessels in compliance with construction legislation concerning buildings.national waterwaysnational waterwaysThe national waterways used for inland navigation. The geographical location of rivers, canals, seaports and inland harbours, and their relationship with cargo flows.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.engine componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.prepare main engines for navigation operationsprepare main engines for navigation operationsPrepare and operate main engines for navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow procedure implementation.maintain records of maintenance interventionsmaintain records of maintenance interventionsKeep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.repair enginesrepair enginesRepair identified problems with internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors. Replace and fix faulty parts by using hand and machine tools.execute safety assurance exercisesexecute safety assurance exercisesOrganise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.moor vesselsmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.ensure integrity of hullensure integrity of hullEnsure sure that water does not break through the hull; prevent progressive flooding.operate vessel engine roomoperate vessel engine roomOperate and maintain the engine room of vessels. Operate the main engine room where the engine and propulsion machinery are located.communicate reports provided by passengerscommunicate reports provided by passengersTransmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.clean parts of vesselsclean parts of vesselsClean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.apply vessel engine regulationsapply vessel engine regulationsUnderstand the regulations regarding the vessel engines and apply those regulations in engine maintenance and operation.apply regulations on cargo transport operationsapply regulations on cargo transport operationsDisplay knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.repair vessel mechanical systemsrepair vessel mechanical systemsRepair mechanical systems of vessels while on-board. Ensure that vessel malfunctions are repaired without affecting the voyage in progress.manage vessel control systemsmanage vessel control systemsKnow, operate, test and maintain control systems of vessels. Maintain and if necessary repair electronic components of vessel control systems.detect malfunctions in enginesdetect malfunctions in enginesDetect and effectively respond to machinery malfunctions. Take actions in order to prevent material damage. Practice damage control.ensure vessel compliance with regulationsensure vessel compliance with regulationsInspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.prepare equipment for navigation operationsprepare equipment for navigation operationsPrepare and operate main and auxiliary equipment supporting the navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow implementation procedures.distinguish various types of shipsdistinguish various types of shipsRecognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport. Understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterwaysadhere to traffic regulations on inland waterwaysUnderstand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.unmoor vesselsunmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.distinguish ship construction methodsdistinguish ship construction methodsDistinguish various methods of constructing vessels and how this affects their behaviour in the water in terms of strength and stability.disassemble enginesdisassemble enginesDisassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.prevent damage to electrical devices on boardprevent damage to electrical devices on boardProtect on board electrical equipment; identify anomalies and malfunctions in the electro-technology of vessels.maintain vessel engine roommaintain vessel engine roomMaintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.evaluate engine performanceevaluate engine performanceRead and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.
Optional (27) — show
multimodal transport logisticsmultimodal transport logisticsThe logistical supporting activities related to multimodal transport. The different elements of a multimodal system for the movement of goods or people, and all related advantages in terms of time and...electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.electric generatorselectric generatorsThe principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.principles of cargo stowageprinciples of cargo stowageThe principles of cargo stowage. The procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.electrical machineselectrical machinesElectrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating...purchase suppliespurchase suppliesPurchase and replenish supplies; make sure that all required goods are available in stock.repair heating equipmentrepair heating equipmentRepair, by use of welding techniques applied to cut and formed metal sheets, boilers, heat exchangers, fired heaters, tanks, reactors and other pressure vessels, and others.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.work in a rail transport teamwork in a rail transport teamWork confidently within a group in rail transport services, in which each individual has their own responsibility in working towards a common goal such as a good interaction with the customers, railwa...use riverspeak to communicateuse riverspeak to communicateUse Riverspeak to communicate in technical and nautical terms.provide feedback on job performanceprovide feedback on job performanceProvide feedback to employees on their professional and social behaviour in the work environment; discuss results of their work.dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.inspect engine roomsinspect engine roomsInspect engine rooms to detect the presence of any hazardous materials, and to ensure legal compliance. Inspect the construction of the rooms, the functionality of equipment, the adequacy of room vent...install electrical and electronic equipmentinstall electrical and electronic equipmentInstall equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes sw...monitor pumping system operationsmonitor pumping system operationsMonitor pump works, ballast, and loading pump systems, alongside tracking the required actions of the pumping crew.encourage teambuildingencourage teambuildingStimulate teambuilding activities. Coach employees in order to help them reach their goals.repair maritime communication equipmentrepair maritime communication equipmentRepair maritime communication devices as required by using electronic testing equipment.maintain hydraulic systemsmaintain hydraulic systemsPerform routine maintenance and repairs on systems which use pressurised fluids to provide power to machines and equipment.repair vessel electrical systemsrepair vessel electrical systemsExecute on board repairs of vessel electrical systems. Resolve malfunctions without affecting the course of the journey.maintain vessel steering mechanismsmaintain vessel steering mechanismsMaintain and repair, if necessary, the mechanisms such as propellers that make the steering of vessels possible.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.perform services in a flexible mannerperform services in a flexible mannerAdapt service approach when circumstances change.implement workplace drug policiesimplement workplace drug policiesImplement strict policy of alcohol and drug prohibition in the workplace and take immediate action in the case of infringement.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
engine minder20 shared essential skillshelmsman16 shared essential skillsskipper10 shared essential skillsmatrose9 shared essential skillsaircraft maintenance engineer8 shared essential skillsaircraft maintenance technician8 shared essential skillsdecksman8 shared essential skillsship duty engineer8 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a marine mechanic do?
Marine mechanics are in charge of the engines and mechanical parts of the vessel and replace defective equipment and parts. They communicate with other crew members on the operational level. Marine mechanics maintain and repair the engines and other machinery of vessels such as boilers, generators and electrical equipment.
What skills does a marine mechanic need?
A marine mechanic needs 36 essential skills, including international waterways, functions of vessel deck equipment, mechanics of vessels, vessel fuels, electrical systems used in transportation.
Will AI replace marine mechanic jobs?
The AI disruption score for marine mechanic is 22/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, maintain records of maintenance interventions, engine components. Most resilient: national waterways, swim, install electrical and electronic equipment.
AI Replacement Risk
22/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills36
Is marine mechanic right for you?
Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.
Take the free test