MARINE WAVE


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The physical environment marine engineers find themselves in can be tricky to say the least. Engineers are required to reckon with noise, grease, and at times, extreme heat. At one time, Scott was working in a southern climate, where the engine room was 54 degrees. He was found passed out and suffered for days with heat stroke.


“Trouble shooting can be tough, especially when you factor in the noise and the temperatures,” says Pike. “But it’s a fantastic feeling to be able to think through a problem, identify its cause and fix it.”


“You make life-long friendships of the people you work with on the vessel,” adds Scott. “I have missed birthdays, Christmas celebrations and a lot of firsts back home, but the crew quickly become family and they help with the separation.”


The Atlantic Osprey has two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s) on board that assist with sea-floor construction. When working with ROV’s there is a lot of watch work involved. It is mandatory that an engineer is in the engine room 24-7, and vessel operations are a priority but it is what always keeps the job interesting.


Marine Engineer, Kelsie Maclean, has enjoyed her engineering duties on several Atlantic Towing tugs, including, the Atlantic Beech, the Atlantic Willow and the Atlantic Condor.


Kelsie became interested in the Marine Industry at an early age when she would see her grandfather, a lobster fisherman, return home with stories from the sea.


She joined the sea cadets #38 Marion Bridge Corps as soon as she could, and quickly learned about job opportunities on the Atlantic. She originally had her sights set on becoming a captain, until she was taken on a tour of an engine room.


“I immediately fell in love with the idea of working with my hands on these engines that were bigger than me and bigger than any engine I had ever seen,” says Maclean.


Kelsie earned her Marine Engineering Certificate from the Nautical Institute in Port Hawkesbury in 2015, and has been working with Atlantic Towing ever since. Her time at the institute was both rewarding and challenging.


“It took me three years of in-class learning and 180 days at sea to be eligible to graduate,” says Maclean. “After I got my diploma, I was able to write my fourth class engineering ticket, which consisted of two written exams and one oral exam,” adds Kelsie. “I definitely found the program challenging as there was a lot of math and a lot of material covered in the three years, including marine electro technology, naval architecture, ship construction, and applied mechanics to name a few. But there was also courses I really enjoyed, like engine overhaul and the safety courses which were hands on for the most part.”


Kelsie is thriving in her role and is enjoying learning each and every day. She begins her shifts on the Atlantic Beech with a conversation with the Chief Engineer about how the vessel and its equipment are functioning. When the watch is handed over to her, she and another engineer begin monitoring all the running equipment, and do their rounds to ensure that the vessel is running properly. They also troubleshoot any potential problems and work on issues that could be fixed and or improved.


Like many careers, being a Marine Engineer is both rewarding and challenging, and not for everyone. It takes a special skill set and at times, nerves of steel, to manage mechanical issues at sea.


Marine Engineer, Scott Pike, doing one of his favorite jobs on the Atlantic Condor: working at a metal lathe, a machine used to cut and shape metal.


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