Does anyone know anything about an ‘Electronics Officer’ position in the engine department? Some folks have been telling me that these positions are reserved for folks with EE degrees, manage electricians and repairs, and tend to be well paid. I’ve been unable to find any info on the web about this.
“electronics officer”…don’t believe the uscg has started issuing a license for that “shoulder board”??
**RO may still be a billet on some US vessels??
**some years ago I worked on a ahts vessel who had a marine electrician aboard to deal with diesel electric “issues”…never figured out that “billet”… that gig paid nearly as much as the captain and more than the chief…must say it made for some interesting drama aboard the vessel!!
**have heard(hearsay) some of the newer dp technology vessels have service techs riding in order to keep the systems up and running “as it takes a couple of years to work thru the issues/bugs”…if that is true isn’t technology wonderful!!
**there are a few dp drill ship/modu types on here who might be able to contribute something further??
MSC is about the only outfit carrying radio officers and ETs as a rate. Matson might still employ radio officers.
The ETO, or Electro-Technical Officer, is a growing field and the opportunities are good but the training is comprehensive and the duties require a great deal of skill. When GMDSS came along and the radio officer billets were lost some companies bowed to union pressure and moved the radioman over to this position. The radio unions saw this coming and for the last few years they had a REO or radio-electronics-operator qualification and these guys worked on automation and controls as well as their radio duties. These are the guys who become electronics officers later on.
Matson still carries ARA members serving as primary GMDSS operators as well as electronics and IT techs. The training is not trivial and you are unlikely to just walk in off the street and take one of these jobs with any company. Foreign flag shipping companies use a lot of ETOs, Warsarsh Maritime Academy in the UK is one of the schools providing training and cadetships in the field.
http://www.americanradioassoc.org/joomla/
The megayacht industry is a good place to find this kind of work, and if you don’t have “real” qualifications as a mariner it is a good place to start but you had better be good with sat comms and entertainment systems. Know what you can and cannot do, you can’t BS your way through this stuff.
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Alpha,
The drilling contractors (Transocean, Noble, Seadrill, Diamond, etc.) hire Electronics Techs or Electricians for their drilling installations. Check their websites for job openings. Pay can be 6 figures easily with the right training.
Thanks for the input folks. Regarding qualifications, do you mean industry-specific radio training courses or QMED / AB? I’ve a master’s degree in EE and about two years experience in electrical power.
You’re probably overqualified … seriously though, to do the job requires a solid hands-on background in troubleshooting instrumentation, controls, and IT. In the modern marine world there aren’t too many specialists, crews are small and jobs are multifaceted. Most good techs have skills that are a mile wide and not too deep.You might find a home with one of the cruise ship operators, they have a large electrical department and if your electrical power background is in medium voltage distribution and control you have what they want.
Have a look at ABB’s marine propulsion website and see what they are doing.
AMO will be manning the Navy’s white hull T-AGS vessels (again!). Here’s a blurb from AMO’s website:
Requirements for [B]radio officers[/B] include: MSC damage control (five years), advanced firefighting (five years), MSC CBR-D orientation (five years), MSC LAN administrator, MSC message traffic transfer (PPTS), MSC electronic key management system and GMDSS operator. Preferred training includes: MSC small arms (annual) and SST (three years).
I’ve know 3rd Mates that filled these billits when no RO/ET was available.
[QUOTE=Jeffrox;17073]AMO will be manning the Navy’s white hull T-AGS vessels (again!). Here’s a blurb from AMO’s website:
Requirements for [B]radio officers[/B] include: MSC damage control (five years), advanced firefighting (five years), MSC CBR-D orientation (five years), MSC LAN administrator, MSC message traffic transfer (PPTS), MSC electronic key management system and GMDSS operator. Preferred training includes: MSC small arms (annual) and SST (three years).
I’ve know 3rd Mates that filled these billits when no RO/ET was available.[/QUOTE]
It’s funny that they prefer small arms and SST but don’t care if you have GMDSS maintainer or not. OK sparks, grab the shotgun.
On US-flag, the EO and ET jobs are largely a scam to create a pool of Budgeted OT for the 1 A/E and the C/M to steal.
If you have an EE, get the GMDSS Maintainer, find someone who will expedite your MMD/TWIC and Form 98, apply to Woods Hole. Mention any computer and/or networking and/or LAN administration skills you might have, including your certs.
Whisper the word LINUX a few times. If you can program an electronic PABX, so much the better.
The R/V ATLANTIS is a GMDSS ship, so doesn’t carry an R/O. The position there is called “SSSG Technician/GMDSS Operator.”
Pay’s nothing special, and you have to share a room, but it’s pretty interesting work.
And, she feeds REAL well…
Last time I paid attention R/V KNORR was a SOLAS ship. If that’s still true (and I can’t imagine it being so) you WILL need a USCG Radio Officer license, which requires an FCC T-2 ticket.
Given that there are at least 25 guys at AMO calling Dispatch for R/O work, looking for this sort of employment is a very steep uphill climb.
My phone rang yesterday for the first time since 2006. Have been driving a taxi and doing Green Building consultation (LEED) to keep the lights on.
Oceaneering has Electronics Technicians (separate from the engineers) aboard their DP vessels. The ET’s report to the Master. I believe the pay is pretty good. They may have some spots open.
[QUOTE=Azimuth;18267]Oceaneering has Electronics Technicians (separate from the engineers) aboard their DP vessels. The ET’s report to the Master. I believe the pay is pretty good. They may have some spots open.[/QUOTE]
As vessel crew? I know all Oceaneering vessels, and all vessels that have Oceaneering ROV systems have ET’s and MT’s, but they’re dedicated to the ROV system. They are always looking for these positions.
The USNS ships all carry an EO billet. They’re always looking for EO’s to fill these positions. They make below a 2A/E, but more than a 3A/E.
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Yes. The OI1 & OI2 have a dedicated ET (and they would have 2 if they had enough good people) as part of vessel crew, totally separate from ROV. Primarily for the DP system. I’m on the 2 and we have an awesome ET. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE!
[QUOTE=Steamer;17029]The ETO, or Electro-Technical Officer, is a growing field and the opportunities are good but the training is comprehensive and the duties require a great deal of skill. When GMDSS came along and the radio officer billets were lost some companies bowed to union pressure and moved the radioman over to this position. The radio unions saw this coming and for the last few years they had a REO or radio-electronics-operator qualification and these guys worked on automation and controls as well as their radio duties. These are the guys who become electronics officers later on.
Matson still carries ARA members serving as primary GMDSS operators as well as electronics and IT techs. The training is not trivial and you are unlikely to just walk in off the street and take one of these jobs with any company. Foreign flag shipping companies use a lot of ETOs, Warsarsh Maritime Academy in the UK is one of the schools providing training and cadetships in the field.
http://www.americanradioassoc.org/joomla/
The megayacht industry is a good place to find this kind of work, and if you don’t have “real” qualifications as a mariner it is a good place to start but you had better be good with sat comms and entertainment systems. Know what you can and cannot do, you can’t BS your way through this stuff.[/QUOTE]
I am looking an employer I am new to be a Mariner never been in the ship but I am equipped of much skills to be a RADIO OFFICER. I passed all 9 FCC test with 6 kinds of Licenses included morse code 1st Radio telegraph, I can write 35 WPM Morse code by ear. I have GMDSS training Lisence approved by USCG. I completed all USCG requirements such TWIC, MMD with Radio Officer License at the back, STCW 95, New US Passport. I have AA Electronincs and Communications Technology and shifted to BS degree Electronics and Communications Engineering. I am working at the present as a Mobile Land Radio Technician (PCB component level) in one Company here in Los Angeles.
Looking for a REO. Well its happened. They couldn’t find me a relief last tour and they called someone out of retirement to come relieve me. If I can find someone suitable the Capt will recommend them to the company. The company just wants a warm body but the Chief and Captain want someone skilled and the people we have been getting haven’t worked out. This job is becoming increasingly technical and demanding.
A USNS MSC/Gov’t owned contractor manned and operated Pre-Positioned vessel
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We are looking for a SKILLED ET type, not an old Radio Officer type. As noted above in separate post a broad electronics background is desirable. Will be working in the Engine Dept but a significant portion of the work is administrative/LAN also. Some industrial experience is desirable for those time you do have to troubleshoot engine room and/or Bridge systems. Satellite Comms, Radar, etc experience is also beneficial. Will require a FCC GMDSS Operator/Maintainer license eventually. Also an FCC license with a Radar endorcement, sooner rather than later
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STCW, TWIC, MMC required. USCG Radio Officer license would ease things BUT they have way of working around this. Passport and shots will have to be obtained. Some schooling will be required (BEST (Bandwidth Efficient Satellite Transport) and LAN Management which the company will provide via separate training). MUST be able to pass a SECRET clearance.
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Again – MUST have electronics experience!
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Working a 4 month on/4 month off shift and annual pay is approx $80K. New 5 yr contract just beginning so there is at least a steady 5 years in this.
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Please contact: nonrev321@yahoo.com if interested
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