During the pandemic, I worked under my Third Assistant Marine Engineer's license for multiple commercial shipping companies contracted through the MEBA union. As Third Engineer, I was solely responsible for managing critical vessel systems, including power generation, sewage treatment, oil purification, waste oil treatment, and fresh water generation. I also planned and led major repair and installation projects, coordinating between contractors and ship's crew to ensure timely completion of engine room maintenance.

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Much of my daily work involved automation systems. While a ship's plant is largely automated, the harsh maritime environment frequently causes component failures. When sensors malfunctioned or PCBs shorted, I had to quickly diagnose the issue and either install replacement parts or fabricate solutions when spares weren't available.

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The most valuable skill I developed while working at sea was learning to solve problems independently in an unstructured environment where immediate supervision or guidance wasn't available.