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16


ATLANTIC TOWING


Marine Engineer, Kelsie Mclean, starts up the generator on the Atlantic Willow.


“I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of my job,” says Kelsie. “Every day is different, which keeps me interested, learning and engaged. While the time on the vessel can at times feel long and intense, I also really like the time off, which is often equally as long.”


“If you don’t like working with oil and grease and getting your hands dirty, then this probably isn’t the job for you,” she adds. “You are away from home and loved ones for long periods of time, which can be hard. But be prepared to have a great laugh with your fellow crew,” she adds. “They make all the difference and help with the homesickness.”


At 23, Kegan Arsenault is one of the younger engineers working on Atlantic Towing’s fleet. He is an Engineer on the Atlantic Condor


, an


offshore supply vessel for Encana’s Deep Panuke platform, located offshore Nova Scotia. The tug and its crew are responsible for suppling diesel fuel, methanol and other cargo needed to run the platform, including food, piping and parts. Kegan has been working with Atlantic Towing since 2011.


Kegan grew up in Margaree, Nova Scotia, and was surrounded by mechanics. His father owned a welding and machine shop.


“I started carrying a wrench with me as soon as I learned to walk,” recalls Kegan, who often helped his dad fixing lobster and crab gear on fishing boats. “My whole childhood involved welding, machining and mechanic work, and I loved being on the water.”


Kegan completed a three-year Marine Engineering Technology certificate at the Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury. Studying Marine Engineering represented the best of both worlds for Kegan: fixing machines and being out at sea.


Among other aspects of his job, Keagan enjoys the learning opportunities he experiences when working with other engineers. Whether they are working on planned or unplanned maintenance, Kegan enjoys hearing about how other engineers troubleshoot issues and solve them.


“It’s a great experience when everyone gets a chance to weigh-in on how they would fix a problem. Because everyone offers their own experiences and skill-set, I learned quickly that most often, there is more than one way to fix a snag and make the tugs run more efficiently.”


If considering a career in marine engineering, Kegan is quick to provide his objective opinions about the experience.


“Obviously you need to be mechanically inclined, be able to handle rough sea conditions, be a team player and think clearly under pressure,” says Kegan. “The atmosphere can get a little hectic when the vessel is not operating properly, and you need to be able to handle that stress.”


Kegan is hoping to become a Chief Engineer in ten years’ time. Until then, he is enjoying his duties on the Atlantic Condor, and the freedom of being home with family and friends for 28 days in between shifts.


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. As we have learned from three engineers with Atlantic Towing, the highs and lows are numerous, but in the end, the exhilaration of working with others and fixing a vessel’s mechanical issue is a rewarding experience.


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