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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The harsh maritime environment quickly wears down mechanical components and frequently causes system failures. I spent a good portion of my time writing and executing preventative maintenance strategies to ensure that systems stayed operational and that we always had the parts on hand needed for any emergency repairs. Although ships are largely automated, they are generally old and finicky, with new and interesting errors popping up all the time. When sensors malfunctioned, PCBs shorted, or other malfunctions occurred, I had to quickly diagnose the issue and either install replacement parts or fabricate solutions.

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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.