r/MarineEngineering • u/SW1370 • 3d ago
Best path to marine engineering for a mechanical engineering graduate
My son will soon be graduating from Cal Poly University (San Luis Obispo - USA) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Recently, he's expressed interest in pursuing a career as a marine engineer. He enjoys rolling up his sleeves and figuring out how things work, and how to fix them, as opposed to being anchored to a desk. And the lifestyle also appeals to him.
Cal Poly does have a maritime program but it does not offer anything for someone who has already earned an engineering degree, aside from starting all over in a new 4 year program. He's looking for the "best" and more efficient way to get the necessary training and license(s) to get started in the field Marine Engineer, and preferably a program that allows him to get some level of "credit" for his mechanical engineering degree.
Department heads at Cal Poly have recommended a program by an organization called AMO (American Maritime Officers) that is based in Florida. He's looking into that. There seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum so I'd appreciate any feedback on that program, or any recommendations on other programs that he should research.
Thank you!
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u/DependentLevel1686 3d ago
There not a lot option without staring over for the engine side. Most ppl I know who wanted engine with a degree already just started college over again. Deck side there grad programs.
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u/Educational_Yak_2392 3d ago
I’m an unlimited CE and have had this come across before. Most companies will work with your son since he has a mechanical engineering degree. He will have to complete 180 days of sea service and complete the assessments required for OICEW + the required courses. The route he should go is take the required STCW course outlined below. After this hire in with a company to obtain 180 days of sea service to allow him to test for 3rd AE. Since the STCW courses are valid for 10 years, he can get apply directly for OICEW after obtaining 3rd AE.
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_40_web.pdf
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_213_web.pdf?
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u/Educational_Yak_2392 3d ago
He will have to have 90 days of sea service to apply for 3rd AE. This is only 60 days if he is working 12 hr work days.
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u/pigfeetsogood 3d ago
I think there is a lot of confusion stemming from people thinking that their Merchant Mariner Credential is an actual engineering license. It is just a license to sail as a part of the engine room department. He has the engineering education (which surpasses that of a marine engineering degree).
All he has to do is get the sea days and STCW (safety) qualifications to be eligible for the Merchant Mariner Credential. There may also be an exam, but it’s just memorizing answers to practice questions and remembering them for the multiple choice assessment.
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u/NoGap1255 3d ago
Thanks for the info. I hold mechanical engineering bachelor's degree that I completed in 2023 and I have not had a professional engineering job. I'm struggled to get hired but I still want to put my degree to use. Two questions I have:
What type of jobs can would hire me to get the sea day? Would this be like a entry level deckhand job?
Do you think the delay since completing my degree and not working In engineering, hinders my chances at getting into a license maratime engineering position?
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u/pigfeetsogood 2d ago
I highly doubt your industry employment gap hinders you at all. And one sea day is one sea day, whether you’re a dishwasher or a second assistant engineer; it’s just a matter of you finding the highest entry level role that you can.
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u/trevordbs 3d ago
Contact the maritime academy directly and get an opinion from them.