Marine Craftsperson Job Descriptions

Marine craftspeople work for shipbuilding, ship repair and conversion companies; and boatbuilding, repair and maintenance firms in smaller marinas and workshops. Their work can range from building hulls on sea-going vessels to restoring the fixtures and fittings on traditional narrow boats.
You would use a variety of different skills in this job, for example carpentry, electrics, plumbing, welding and painting, as well as more traditional maritime crafts like rigging and sail making. You would work with materials, ranging from wood and steel plate to glass/fibre reinforced plastics (GRP/FRP).

If you are working on smaller marine craft, your duties might include:
· marking out construction materials using engineering design templates
· welding, cutting and shaping materials
· assembling boat sections and pipe work
· installing engines
· 'Fitting out' the vessel with furnishings, navigation and communications equipment, heating and lighting and, if appropriate, rigging.

Key Skills
· excellent practical skills
· good team working skills
· the ability to solve problems
· computer skills
· good numeracy skills
· the ability to understand technical plans and drawings
· good communication skills
· a reasonable level of fitness
· Some knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) packages if involved in boat design.