“Growing up on the fringes of the maritime industry, ships and the sea held a fascination for me from a young age. I made it my mission as a teenager to pursue a career at sea, and as soon as the opportunity arose, I joined a passenger ship as a steward.

In the years that followed, I went to college and gained a BEng in Marine Engineering before eventually qualifying as an EOOW. By that time, I was working on crude oil and gas tankers. The job was interesting, but exhausting, and it seemed at the time to be increasingly demanding for a diminishing reward. After discussing it with some college friends, I was persuaded to switch career paths to the cruise industry, a decision that would very quickly lead me to work on superyachts.  

I’ve worked on superyachts now for more than ten years and am now a chief engineer. The general public thinks only of the glamour of the superyacht industry, but the novelty of that fades quickly. I have remained because it’s a really interesting and dynamic place to work – I’ve survived some big challenges (both engineering and personal), been to fascinating places and worked with many wonderful people. I have been able to explore and develop my skills here in a way that I felt impossible in commercial shipping. 

Like most marine engineers, I became very focused on getting my chief engineer’s CoC. Once I had reached that milestone, I found it a little deflating that there was no further professional educational goal to reach for. Thankfully, over the last few years and with the encouragement and guidance of several fantastic people, I have pushed myself to undertake professional development in other ways. As part of this journey, I am studying for a master’s degree (MSc in Sustainable Maritime Operations), while also engaging more with the IMarEST and becoming a chartered engineer. Becoming more active in professional activities outside of work has allowed me to find my voice on subjects I care about, for example advocating on educational and training topics as well moving towards a sustainable maritime industry. 

When not at sea, I am to be found at home in rural Ireland with my wife and young family. I am happiest when outdoors in nature, hillwalking or kayaking, or when the weather dictates otherwise, in my armchair surrounded by books.”

Mick Walsh