Ahead of the Curve: Why Superyacht Engineers Should Aim to Lead the Drive for Sustainability
This article was written by Chief Engineer Mick Walsh, an abridged version of it appeared on the superyacht crew news platform Superyacht Content in February 2022. This original version was his first published article on LinkedIn and very kindly he has offered to be my guest blog writer this month and share this content with THE OM.
The year 2030 is a significant milestone as governments around the world take action on sustainable development and environmental performance. Increasingly strict targets on emissions and a greater focus on social responsibility mean that the superyacht industry has an urgent need to embrace sustainability as a fundamental operating principle.
Engineers are problem solvers and solutions are needed. There is a coming need for well-educated and experienced people to proactively manage change, so the time is ripe for engineers to reassess their skills and education in order to meet the coming challenges.
I initially trained as a marine engineer by completing an undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Marine and Plant Engineering prior to undergoing seagoing training as an engineering cadet on crude oil tankers. I continued working on oil tankers after getting my Engineering Officer of the Watch and Second Engineer licences, but after a brief stint on a cruise ship I was eventually drawn into the superyacht industry. More than ten years later, I am still working on yachts, now as a Chief Engineer. Although my seagoing days are far from over, the time has come for me to plan for a fulfilling future career path ashore.
I recently commenced my first term as a student with MLA College, enrolled on the Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Maritime Operations program. It was an exciting moment for me as it is a long-held ambition of mine to pursue a postgraduate academic qualification. I spent a number of years searching for a suitable master’s degree program, motivated by a practical need to upskill but also by a desire to return to education for the enjoyment of learning. I knew of MLA College and was seriously considering joining the Marine Engineering Master’s Top-Up program.
Then, a few months ago, I came across The-OM and Emma Baggett. Emma acts as a guide and intermediary between MLA College and superyacht crew who are interested in undertaking the Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Maritime Operations (SMO). My interest piqued, I reached out to Emma. As we discussed the syllabus and my motivations, I realised that the SMO course aligned well with my professional experience and aspirations and offered a broader range of learning to the Marine Engineering option. I also felt drawn to the content on a very personal level.
I grew up in rural Ireland during the 1990s, a time of rapid change – growth in intensive farming, urbanisation and industrialisation led to increased pressure on natural resources. I spent my childhood messing about in boats on the River Slaney, and from a young age I was aware of the effects that pollution was wreaking upon the delicate river ecosystem. I developed a lifelong interest in topics such as the protection of river basins, biodiversity and sustainable farming but I had compartmentalised these concerns away from my professional life. As I spoke with Emma, I realised that the MSc in Sustainable Maritime Operations could unite these aspects of my life and provide future direction in my career.
The superyacht industry enjoys a unique, valuable and interdependent relationship with coastal regions around the world. In return for access, yachts bring prestige and economic prosperity. There is a boom in employment in the support industries too which has revitalised formerly declining ports and shipyards. However, as the yacht fleet continues to grow, increased pressure is being placed on these communities to provide additional marina berths, infrastructure and services. We should not forget that some of the world’s most exclusive destinations are also those at greatest risk of the effects of climate change and that it is coastal communities who will ultimately bear the burden of inaction. Quite simply, the industry has a social as well as regulatory responsibility to respond to the needs of our hosts.
One remarkable thing I noted when I entered the yacht industry is the can-do attitude of superyacht engineers. Compared to my experience of the commercial sector, there is a much stronger willingness to innovate, modernise and improve all manner of engineering systems and equipment. Sustainability simply was not part of the engineering vocabulary when I started my career and the prevailing attitude was that meeting the minimum regulatory standards was enough, however I believe that same innovative streak in yachting can now be harnessed to break down the old ways of thinking. Sustainability requires us to consider the full impact of all of our decisions and truly understand how processes far beyond our control are affected by our actions; we need additional skills and knowledge to navigate these challenges.
Equally remarkable is how few engineers look to further their education beyond their Certificate of Competency, perhaps cushioned by the job satisfaction, defined career path and relatively good opportunities ashore. I believe that a better balance is needed between academic and experiential learning and in my opinion the Sustainable Maritime Operations program offers a lot for engineers. In particular I am looking forward to learning more about subjects such as project management, offshore renewables and maritime strategy and finance as they will broaden my knowledge base and career opportunities.
For those who want to broaden their horizons but are not yet ready to commit to a college course, I recommend joining a professional body in order to nurture your Continuous Professional Development (CPD). CPD describes your efforts to remain proficient, competent and abreast of new developments through learning and experience, for example via training courses, e-learning, webinars, technical papers, on-board projects etc. The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is the foremost professional body for marine engineers, but there are several more maritime-focused organisations such as the Nautical Institute and Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) as well as broader cross-discipline engineering institutes.
If you are interested in returning to studying, or if you don’t have a degree and wish to start, then you too should reach out to THE OM.
Emma has deep personal experience of both the yachting and education sectors and will provide guidance and advice on the Sustainable Maritime Operations courses as well as helping you through the application process. I truly valued Emma’s input when I applied.
As I held a BEng, I was accepted directly onto the MSc Program, but there are multiple routes available. If you have a Chief Engineer Unlimited or Yacht 3000 CoC you can apply for direct entry to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) final year or direct entry onto the MSc. If you hold an Engineering OOW CoC, you can also apply for the final year of the BSc without any previous academic qualifications. The program is completely flexible and structured with the unpredictable nature of seafaring in mind.
It is an exciting and revolutionary time to work in the maritime industry, as new technologies and procedures are developed to meet the need for cleaner shipping. There is no better time for engineers to take advantage of further education and learning opportunities and I hope more will be inspired to take the plunge.
Mick Walsh
Chief Engineer
MIMarEST | MIEI