Topic: MAR ENG Queries

[Pat in Halifax]

I am kind of surprised one of my 'associates' didn't start a thread here already. I know many questions have been asked and answered in the generic "Naval Trades" thread but if there are any specifics for the MAR ENG (stoker) trade, throw them out here and the few of us on here will see what we can do to answer them.
Note that there already separate threads for MESO (Reserve stoker) and another for the blended crewing aspect of MESO/MAR ENG.

Pat

PS: West coast CERA (you know who you are!) - Don't play with me on this!

[mj_lover]

I have  a question, that I couldn't find the answer to using a search (could be me though).

what do stokers do daily? I am assuming they do not wrench each and every day, as from what i understand you are posted to a ship, and a properly maintained machine does not require constant attention, this is based on no solid knowledge of the mechanics of Canadian warships though.

thanks, Taco

[Chief Stoker]

Here use link for starters http://www.forces.ca/en/job/marineengineeringmechanic-31.

 As for everyday you conduct preventive maintenance to keep the ship well maintained.

[mj_lover]

Thank you for the quick response, I did see the video, I was just not sure if there was anything else done by stokers, still having a hard time picturing  360 days of preventative maintenance, but I am also not yet in the navy, so my ideas and thoughts on the matter count for squat, so I figure I’d ask.

[Chief Stoker]

Thank you for the quick response, I did see the video, I was just not sure if there was anything else done by stokers, still having a hard time picturing  360 days of preventative maintenance, but I am also not yet in the navy, so my ideas and thoughts on the matter count for squat, so I figure I’d ask.

When you are at sea and on watch part of your duties as a watch keeper is conducting preventive and corrective maintenance on machinery when it breaks down which happens a lot. When you are alongside in foreign port you sometimes are responsible for maintenance as well and lots of other things such as duty watches.  Often the mbr's of the engineering department will have to stay on board fixing a piece of gear when everybody else is ashore enjoying themselves, that's what being a stoker is sometimes about. When you are in home port you do some of the same. A warship is a complex piece of equipment that gets a lot of wear and tear on it.
You do lots of other things too such as ships husbandry, courses, refresher training for firefighting and damage control for example.
Being an engineer is not all about engineering but you do have a little spare time.

[mj_lover]

thank you for taking the time to answer my question! the recruiting centre I was speaking to was vague, and I am currently nowhere near one.

thanks again! I look forward to serving

[Deadmau5]

I got a question I am over hating my bosn career. I am feeling of switching over to Meso and then later after I am done school Become a full time stoker what would I have to do? Right now that's my plan please give me done help on it. Also what is going on with the enginerring department?

[Deadmau5]

Sorry some help on it*

[Pat in Halifax]

I think I can answer, but please do bare in mind, the first couple years of almost any hard sea trade are generic in your duties with less than 50 % of your time on trade related tasks. It's called 'learning the ropes'. Give it a while longer. That said, you would be required to OT (Occupation Transfer) to MESO with a later CT (Component Transfer) to RegF and the MAR ENG trade. I suppose my question is, why not do the CT now and apply NCM SEP as a MAR ENG to attend MI (Marine Institute) in St John's, NF? Alternatively, go the old fashioned route: do a couple years on board after QL3 in Esquimalt, get your Auxiliary Machinery Operator Certificate and your LS rank and carry on?

As for the engineering department, I never said (in a previous post) there was 'anything going on'. A trial has been done with success to cross train RegF MAR ENG to fill MESO posits on KINGSTON class. The next step is to look at going the other way: MESOs to fill MAR ENG posits on 'heavies'. Though I see no issues with this from a personal standpoint, I am not involved in this process and therefore cannot nor will I comment on the merits though there may be some on these forums who are in the know.

Informally, I went out for supper with the bulk of the Chiefs after the meeting a couple weeks ago but alas, work was not one of the overriding discussion topics!! Sorry!

[Deadmau5]

That does sound pretty sweet how do you go about get your auxiliary Operating ticket is it through Meso or stoker?

[Pat in Halifax]

AMOC is a RegF qual. Your first "Cert" qual of a total of 4; the 4th of which is Chief Engine Room Artificer.

[Deadmau5]

Cool.

[seadragon]

I am a METTP grad and it is, in my opinion, the best way to get into the mar eng trade or CF for that matter.  Living in St. John's for 2 years while being paid to learn is great!  MI is a good school, the apartments are nice and NL is wonderful!  You will get some taunting about being a "super stoker" (or super soaker/stupid stoker etc).  Just put your knowledge to use and those taunts will soon vanish.  When you graduate from MI after 2 years service you are promoted to acting leading seaman.  If you have previous service time you may get promoted earlier. 
I had a guy who CT'd from army reserve.  He started as an AB from his reserve service and got his LS before the rest of us.  Do your school work as assigned and don't fall behind.  You won't have any worries that way.

[Pat in Halifax]

Truth be told, I too am an METTP grad from the early days ('82-'84). Great program and yes, you do get over the taunting. We have METTPs who have been Cox'ns and beyond. We also have those who commisioned from the ranks who are now at the Cdr/Capt(RCN) level. Do I use what I leaened at St Lawrence College in the early 80s on a daily basis? - No but I do utilize the lessons learned and education in a more strategic way.
This (and the WEng equivalent) program is an excellent way to get an education and gain experience and who knows - You may actually like it and hang around for 30 years like some of us have done!!

[Eaglelord17]

If you joined as a Marine Engineer what does the normal career progression look like? I have heard alot of different terms passed around like Marine Engineer, Marine Artificer Tech, etc. My understanding is when you get promoted to a certain rank you earn spec pay and get a different trade name but still do the same job. Could some one please clarify. Also what is the spec pay structure for this trade?

[Pat in Halifax]

Have a look here for trade progression:
http://forums.navy.ca/forums/index.php/topic,90918.0.html

As for the name of the trade confusion, that is understandable. Effective 1 Feb this year, the 3 former stoker trades:
MOSID 00121 MAR ENG MECH
MOSID 00122 MAR ENG TECH, and
MOSID 00123 MAR ENG ART,
were amalgamated into one commone trade:
MOSID 00367 MAR ENG with 3 'sub' trades as Mechanic, Technician and Artificer.
In simple terms, Technician is Spec 1 and Artificer Spec 2.

Note: As indicated in another thread, there is a spec pay review ongoing (eventually for all specialist trades) in the stoker trade right now and therefore a 'freeze' is currently in effect.

Any other questions - shoot but do have a look in some of the other stoker trade related issues as there is currently an AWFUL lot of info there.

Pat

[Eaglelord17]

I was also wondering how much math do stokers have to do as a part of their trade?

[Pat in Halifax]

Probably at about the Grade 12 level on QL5 (LS rank) and maybe a little more when doing stability calculations on QL6 (now MS rank). Depending on your job, you may find you use it more than you think. I believe though, if you have a solid grasp of the basics of math and are willing to expand on that, you should have no issues. Most failures on QL 5 are indeed attributable to math/physics failures but again, there are now 'pre-course' learning modules to help. Contrary to what some may think, none of us likes to see someone fail a QL course phase and the instructors and den mothers are there to provide guidance in the hope of having all pass with flying colours.

Hope this helps?
Pat