Book Description: The work of naval architects, and marine, ocean and naval engineers is global in nature and has never been more important. These professions connect people and places to each other in a way that is unmatched by other engineering careers.

In this one-of-a-kind book you’ll learn:

• About the engineers that work to help solve the energy crisis by finding ways to harvest energy from the oceans.
• Which engineers design the technologies that allow us to build underwater structures and explore the mysterious depths of the ocean.
• What types of engineers design small rowboats, Jet skis®, tugs, workboats, barges, yachts, floating cranes, dredges, supply boats, dinner boats, ferries, tankers, containerships, car carriers, dry bulkers, gas carriers, drill rigs, jack-ups, semisubmersibles, trawlers, factory ships, floating power plants, and more.
• What types of engineers design military ships such as aircraft carriers, submarines, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast attack craft, ocean patrol cutters, littoral combat ships, hydrofoils, air cushion vehicles, amphibious landing ships and docks, oilers, supply ships, crane ships, sealift ships, and command and control ships.
• About the different sectors of the industries such as offshore engineering, large ocean-going vessels, small water craft, underwater exploration and underwater habitats.
• How to get started in this one-of-a-kind amazing career path.

Reviews

"This book is invaluable for students eager to learn more about a fascinating career in Maritime Engineering."
--Phillip B. Kimball, Former Executive Director of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers

"There is enormous room for creativity in our profession. This creativity is not expressed so much in color choices or styling, as in fashion, but rather in crafting effective engineering solutions for challenging problems. When you stand on a ship that you helped design, or operate a boat that you designed, it is very satisfying.”
--David Helgerson, Technical Director for the CSC’s Advanced Marine Center

"An inquisitive mind, coupled with a very strong background in math and physics, and very good communication skills is the foundation for a successful career."
--John Lehman, Head of John Lehman Naval Architecture

"I believe that today we can see ever-expanding opportunities for naval architects, marine and ocean engineers. World trade is ever increasing, most cargoes are carried in ships of all sorts; development of the oceans is still in its early stages with many parts still not fully explored; we feed much of the world with protein harvested from the oceans or increasingly grown there in mariculture projects; and we are also developing systems to extract much needed minerals and precious metals, energy and power from the water-covered areas of our planet."
--Peter Noble, Chief Naval Architect at Conoco Phillips

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Inside This Book!

Autonomous Underwater Robot


Hydroplane Boat Racing

Exclusive Online Sample!

What is Maritime Engineering?
In this book, maritime engineering refers to the engineers who work in the maritime and ocean industries. They design anything that can be used as transportation on water, such as commercial, cargo or Navy ships, yachts, submarines, seaplanes, and icebreakers. Maritime engineers also design underwater structures and ocean technology such as offshore drilling platforms, wind farms, diving gear, underwater robots (both remotely operated and autonomous) and underwater “cities” such as Aquarius, the underwater astronaut training center. Working in and near the ocean is unpredictable, corrosive, and sometimes hostile, so special training and systems are often required.

Engineers are life-long learners because there are many considerations in the design of each and every ship. For example, a Navy ship has to have systems that can detect airborne, surface, and subsurface threats, operate over long periods of time in any area of the world, and defend themselves and others against attacks. To do this, Navy ships must be able to withstand shock and blast effects, operate when damaged, prevent detection in hostile waters, have propulsion systems that are acoustically quiet, and much more. The demands are uncommon and therefore, the training to enter these fields is very specialized.

Marine structures, vehicles, and systems are unique and often expensive because they are large and complex, and only a few of each design are built. Anything that operates in or on the ocean has special design requirements for seakeeping, staying upright, capsizing, station-keeping, and enduring the random motions and loads of rogue waves and intense winds. Due to these unique requirements, manufacturing is often more challenging. David Helgerson, the technical director for CSC’s Advanced Marine Center says, “Ships are large complex integrated systems; they require large teams to design, and it can take a long time. At the same time, the rewards are in proportion to the challenges.” As with most things in life, the more heart and soul you put into a project, the more rewards you may get out.

It’s very important that you choose a career field that you are naturally interested in. If you love being by or in the water, going to the beach, sailing, swimming, scuba diving, paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, or fishing, then maritime engineering might be a great fit. If The Deadliest Catch is your favorite television show, or if you like to watch boats come in and out of the harbor, or dream of taking a cruise to an exotic destination, this may be the career for you.

Who are Maritime Engineers?
Maritime engineers are usually known as naval architects, marine engineers, ocean engineers, or naval engineers, and have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in these fields. Sometimes maritime engineers study civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering with an emphasis or special training in marine or ocean engineering. All maritime engineers usually love to travel, and want to work near the water to enhance the world’s transportation and energy systems and make the world a better place. These engineers may be married or single; they can have disabilities, and include men and women from every culture in the world. But they share a problem-solving orientation. Maritime engineering students can be right out of high school, just out of the military, returning to school after several years, or seeking a second degree.

An important part of understanding and thriving in this career is your worldview. The work is global in nature and has never been more important because these professions connect people and places in a way that is unmatched by other engineering careers. Think of the planet Earth as one big web of biodiversity that connects us to all living things. Many people may say that the United States and Japan are separated by the Pacific Ocean. However, in the maritime industry, we say that the oceans connect them.

Maritime engineers design:

• Sailboats and yachts used in the America’s Cup races;
• Hydroplane racing boats;
• Underwater cities or habitats used for astronaut training or research;
• Scuba-diving and other deep sea exploration equipment;
• Underwater robots;
• Boats such as small rowboats, Jet skis, tugs, workboats, barges, yachts, floating cranes, dredges, supply boats, dinner boats, ferries, tankers, container ships, car carriers, dry bulkers, gas carriers, drill rigs, jack-ups, semi-submersibles, trawlers, factory ships, floating power plants, and many others;
• Boats and ships for the military (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) such as aircraft carriers, submarines, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast attack craft, ocean patrol cutters, littoral combat ships, hydrofoils, air cushion vehicles, amphibious landing ships and docks, oilers, supply ships, crane ships, sealift ships, and command-and-control ships;
• Ways to harvest energy from the ocean, such as offshore wind turbines, tidal and current converters, wave energy converters and many others;
• The gear that helps fishermen catch 800 lb fish or pull crab pots from the ocean floor;
• Boats and machinery needed to clean oil spills and protect the surrounding marine environment;
• And much, much more.

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Table of Contents

Part I – The Maritime World

• What is Maritime Engineering?
• Who are Maritime Engineers?
• The History of Maritime Engineering

Part II – Professional Opportunities

• Naval Architecture
• Marine Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Naval Engineering
• Marine Engineering Technology
• Marine Maintenance Technology

Part III – Sectors

• Large Ocean-Going Ships
• Naval Ships and Craft
• Small Craft
• Offshore Engineering
• Underwater Habitats
• Underwater Robots, Vehicles and Exploration

Part IV – Our World

• Global Climate Change
• Energy Concerns
• Energy from the Ocean (wave, tide, geothermal, current and wind)

Part V – Getting Started

• SeaPerch
• Become Well-Rounded
• Communication Skills
• Summer Camps
• Student Competitions
• What Now?
• Choosing the Right School
• The Successful Student
• Co-ops and Internships
• Professional Engineering and Licensure
• Summary

Appendix

• ABET Certified Programs
• Glossary
• Recommended Reading
• Index