ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RATINGS

Small Boat Engineer following paragraphs we will describe these ratings: Firemen, Enginemen, or Machinist’s Mates from the A division are detailed as boat engineers. Boat engineers operate, clean, and inspect the section of the boats assigned to them. Boat engines are repaired by Enginemen. When a ship is at anchor, the officers and crew usually travel to and from the shore in small boats. As a Fireman, you may be assigned as an engineer on one of these boats. You will be responsible for operating the boat’s engine(s). A coxswain will be in charge of the overall operation of the boat. On some boats, two seamen may act as bow and stern hooks, or one seaman may act as bowhook and the engineer may act as sternhook. For additional information on small boats and boat safety, refer to Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 10054-F, and Seaman, NAVED- TRA 10120-J. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RATINGS In general, the engineering department ratings require (1) an aptitude for mechanical knowledge, (2) a degree of skill in mathematics and physics, and (3) some experience in repair work. A knowledge of mechanical drawing is also desirable. Training manuals (TRAMANs) and nonresident training courses (NRTCs) covering many aspects of basic engineering are available to help you. Schools for engineering ratings are available to those who qualify. You can find a list of all schools and their requirements in the Catalog of Navy Training Courses (CANTRAC), NAVED- TRA 10500. In this section we will describe the titles and jobs of the various engineering ratings. The engineering ratings are classified into two occupa- tional fields—marine engineering and ship maintenance. MARINE ENGINEERING OCCUPATIONAL FIELD The marine engineering occupational field includes the Machinist’s Mate, Engineman, Boiler Technician, Electrician’s Mate, Interior Communications Electrician, Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical), and Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) ratings. In the Machinist’s Mate (MM) MACHINIST’S MATES operate and main- tain ship propulsion machinery, reduction gears, condensers, and air ejectors. They are also responsible for miscellaneous auxiliary equip- ment. This includes pumps, air compressors, turbine-driven generators, distilling units, valves, oil purifiers, oil and water heaters, governors, air-conditioners, refrigeration, propeller shafts, potable water systems, and ship’s steering and various other hydraulic systems. Engineman (EN) E N G I N E M E N work primarily with reciprocating engines (diesel and gasoline). They operate, maintain, and repair diesel propulsion plants and diesel engines used for ship’s service generators, and supporting auxiliary equipment. Such equipment includes refrigeration and air- conditioning systems, pumps, air compressors, auxiliary boilers, distillers, and various kinds of hydraulic equipment. Boiler Technician (BT) BOILER TECHNICIANS operate, maintain, test, and repair marine boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, and forced draft blowers. They also transfer, test, and take soundings and inventory of fuel and feedwater tanks. 1-6