A modern ferry has been described as a luxury hotel, built on a multi-storey car park, on top of a power station, moving at forty kilometres per hour through a gale. To design such a ten thousand tonne structure, and then construct it in less than one year requires a bewildering range of technology and skills.
Every use of the sea, for transport, for mineral recovery or for recreation, needs engineers with the range of skills available in Marine Technology. Not only specialised knowledge in the marine field, but also the ability to integrate the work of other engineering disciplines is essential. In order to provide our current and past students access to the vibrant Marine Technology industry we run an annual Careers fair.
Graduates are employed in the ship and boat building, repair and conversion, in the offshore construction industry, with shipping companies and equipment suppliers. Some work as engineering specialists, others in more general aspects including management. The marine technology business is thriving world-wide and is not tied to the fortunes of any one company or sector of the industry. In many areas, including the UK, there are acute shortages of qualified engineers and many well-paid jobs are available for qualified engineers: the industry needs all the Marine Technology specialists. Maritime industries are truly global and world-wide are many time greater in size than the UK. Career prospects include the possibility of working abroad with a multinational company.
Government departments, classification societies, various independent agencies and consultants employ graduates in all aspects of marine technology. They work as surveyors and researchers to ensure the safety of vessels and offshore structures. Employment in this area offers challenging opportunities for research as well as considerable responsibility.