Marine Electrician
A Marine Electrician troubleshoots, repairs, and installs electrical equipment and systems aboard vessels, on shore-tie installations, and at shore-side facilities, working under established safety practices. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Marine Electrician do?
A Marine Electrician troubleshoots, repairs, and installs electrical equipment and systems on board vessels, shore-tie installations, and other shore-side facilities. The position follows established safety practices while performing assigned duties to protect the worker, co-workers, and the public from personal injury and to prevent damage to property.
This is a hands-on skilled-trades role in the marine industry, often a bargaining-unit position represented by the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association. It combines electrical craft with marine-specific regulatory knowledge and a strong safety discipline.
USCG (United States Coast Guard) regulates vessel safety, and ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) is a classification society that sets standards for ship construction and equipment. A shore-tie connects a docked vessel to shore power. The MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential) and TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) are the federal credentials required to work aboard and access secure maritime areas.
Where does the Marine Electrician work?
Key responsibilities of a Marine Electrician
- Design, install, diagnose problems, and service electrical system components.
- Diagnose and repair electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic devices or systems.
- Repair and overhaul electric motors and controllers.
- Install or maintain shipboard sound-powered phone systems.
- Repair and maintain normal and emergency power distribution switchboards, electrical generators, and all other shipboard power distribution components.
- Take periodic measurements of electrical devices for ABS and the Coast Guard.
- Maintain a clean and safe work area in line with established safety practices.
- Assist other skilled employees in their craft as needed.
What qualifications does a Marine Electrician need?
- High school diploma or equivalent, or equivalent related experience.
- Experience working with shipboard electrical systems. Experience on vessels certificated by the USCG under Title 46 CFR Subchapters H or I is preferred.
- Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and blueprints, and to create technical documents and briefings.
- Proficiency in repairing and troubleshooting control circuits, with familiarity across hand tools and measuring devices.
- Knowledge of USCG and ABS marine electrical requirements and of the NEC, IEEE, IEC, and other electrical conventions, plus the ability to install marine cable and wiring in an approved, neat, and safe manner.
- Valid driver’s license, and Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and TWIC obtained within 90 days of employment. Willingness to complete FCC General Radiotelephone License with Radar Endorsement and Sperry gyro, radar, and antenna training.
- Subject to background investigation and pre-employment physical. Must be available for duty at any hour to maintain continuous operation, willing to sail as needed, and able to work on high ladders, aloft, over the side of vessels, in extreme temperatures, and in confined spaces requiring a respirator.
Why is the Marine Electrician role important?
Vessels depend on reliable electrical and power-distribution systems for safety and continuous operation. A skilled Marine Electrician keeps those systems compliant with USCG and ABS standards and functioning around the clock, which protects the crew, the vessel, and the public from injury and property damage.
Because the work happens in demanding conditions, aloft, over the side, in confined spaces, and at any hour, the role rewards tradespeople who pair real electrical skill with disciplined safety habits and the credentials to work at sea. That combination is genuinely hard to find.
A hiring note from Excelon
Marine electrical hiring is constrained by credentials as much as skill: MMC, TWIC, and USCG/ABS familiarity narrow the pool quickly. We screen for tradespeople who already hold or can quickly earn those credentials and who treat shipboard safety as second nature, since on a vessel the margin for an electrical mistake is small. Excelon runs skilled-trades and technical searches for employers across the United States.
On a vessel, the margin for an electrical mistake is small, which is exactly why skill and safety discipline have to travel together.
Related sample job descriptions
Marine Electrician: frequently asked questions
What does a Marine Electrician do?
A Marine Electrician troubleshoots, repairs, and installs electrical equipment and systems aboard vessels, on shore-tie installations, and at shore-side facilities. The role covers power distribution, motors and controllers, electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic systems, and regulatory measurements, all under established safety practices.
What qualifications does a Marine Electrician need?
This sample role requires a high school diploma or equivalent related experience, hands-on experience with shipboard electrical systems, the ability to read electrical schematics and blueprints, and knowledge of USCG and ABS marine electrical requirements along with NEC, IEEE, and IEC conventions.
What are MMC and TWIC credentials?
The Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) is the U.S. Coast Guard credential required to work aboard certain vessels, and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a federal security credential for access to secure maritime areas. This sample role requires obtaining both within 90 days of hire.
What are USCG and ABS in marine electrical work?
USCG is the United States Coast Guard, which regulates vessel safety, and ABS is the American Bureau of Shipping, a classification society that sets standards for ship construction and equipment. A Marine Electrician takes periodic measurements and maintains systems to meet both.
Why is the Marine Electrician role important?
Vessels depend on reliable electrical and power-distribution systems for safety and continuous operation. A skilled Marine Electrician keeps those systems compliant and functioning, protecting the crew, the vessel, and the public from injury and property damage.
Hiring a Marine Electrician?
Excelon Associates recruits skilled-trades and technical professionals for marine, industrial, and shore-side employers across the United States. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.