Marine Engineering involves the design, construction, installation, operation and support of the systems and equipment which propel and control marine vehicles, and of the systems which make a vehicle or structure habitable for crew, passengers and cargo.
Marine Engineering is allied to mechanical engineering, although the modern marine engineer requires knowledge (and hands on experience) with electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemistry, control engineering, naval architecture or ship design, process engineering,steam generations gas turbines and even nuclear technology on certain military vessels.
Marine Engineering on board a ship refers to the operation and maintenance of the propulsion and other systems such as: electrical power generation plant; lighting; air conditioning; refrigeration; and water systems on board the vessel. This work is carried out by Marine Engineering Officers, who usually train via cadetships sponsored by a variety of Maritime organisations. Marine engineering also embraces other areas such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicle research; Marine renewable energy research; and careers related to the Offshore extractive and infrastructure (Cable Laying) industries.
Marine Engines
Marine engineering emerged as a discipline with the arrival of Marine Engines for propulsion, largely during the latter half of the 19th century.
Modern mechanical propulsion systems generally consist of a motor or engine turning a propeller. Steam engines were first used for this purpose, but have mostly been replaced by two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines, outboard motors, and gas turbine engines on faster ships. Electric motors have sometimes been used, such as on submarines. Nuclear reactors are sometimes employed to propel warships and icebreakers.[citation needed]
There are many variations of propeller systems, including twin, contra-rotating, controllable-pitch, and nozzle-style propellers. Smaller vessels tend to have a single propeller. Aircraft carriers use up to four propellers, supplemented with bow- and stern-thrusters. Power is transmitted from the engine to the propeller by way of a propeller shaft, which may or may not be connected to a gearbox.
Propeller shafts
Several type of propeller shafts exist with their own type of lubrication. These types are:
Water lubricated propeller shaft
Oil-lubricated propeller shafts
Grease lubricated propeller shafts
Water-lubricated propeller shafts are the types which are most maintenance-free and durable. A small disadvantage is that when the bearings become old, they become less efficient. Oil-lubricated propeller shafts as well as grease-lubricated propeller shafts leak some oil, thus being less environmentally-friendly. In some countries, the grease-lubricated variant is herefore already banned. Oil and grease lubricated variants also require more maintenance, and the grease variant also needs to be manually or electronically corrected every few hours of boating (the "grease pot" then needs to be screwed up one notch). The benefits of the oil and grease variants is that they are more efficient.
Scope of marine engineering courses in India
Marine engineering has gained great popularity in India. Plenty of students are attracted towards this advanced branch of engineering. It offers the best opportunity for the people who like to sail in the sea. Scope of marine engineering courses offers remunerative career options on and off shores. The employment opportunities are available in Merchant Navy, Navy and manufacturing industries. Offshore job opportunities are available in recruitment in ports, government jobs in the Directorate General of Shipping and recruitments by Shipping industries. The marine engineers can also work as teachers in the educational institutes.
Marine engineering program
The candidate gets the admission through various entrance examinations conducted between April and June. Different courses available in marine engineering are B.E., M.E. and Ph.D. For getting admission to B. E. in marine engineering, the eligibility required is 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English. It is full time 4 years course. M.E. in marine engineering is 2 years course. The candidate should be B.E. in marine engineering. The candidate who successfully completes M.E. course can proceed for Ph.D program.
Institutes offering marine engineering courses
Having a great scope of marine engineering courses, there are numerous institutions established in various states of India. Few main institutes in India include Marine Engineering Research Institute in West Bengal, Marine Engineering & Research Institute in Maharashtra, International Marine Communication Centre in Tamil Nadu, Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research in Maharashtra, Indian Marine College in Andhra Pradesh, Indian Institute of Technology in Maharashtra.