The Role of Technical Assistant in the Maritime Industry

Depending on which part of the vessel you are responsible for, the technical assistant’s duties can be varied and rewarding. Being a problem-solver will come as part of your day-to-day routine no matter what part of the ship you are operating on. The Technical Assistant is a shipping job that may involve IT support, medical assistance or engineering prowess on board ship and you will become part of the glue that holds the fabric together in any of the departments that you are responsible for.

Having IT skills seems more pertinent than ever these days and passing information from one side of your department to another could become important in the daily requirements for a technical assistant. This will necessitate having good IT skills, administrative experience, data management skills and an ability to work within a team.

You could call yourself the gatekeeper, wherein you prepare, organize and protect the information that everyone else requires. Important too will be your technical training in the role you plan to apply for, and your CV should also express your capability of working in a high-pressure environment. Less demanding but also as critical will be some of the more routine tasks such as data input, updating databases and providing support for those needing software or hardware issues resolved.

Another responsibility may be the operation of small boats, possibly dinghies or yachts. This may involve a support role requiring some technical work, possibly a small running repair. It is possible that certain vessel systems come under duress during long voyages and keeping a watchful eye on these is almost everyone’s duty including that of the technical assistant.

Amongst the many technical and operational responsibilities, controlling the winch will become one of the foremost. This will involve the maintenance of a high-tension cable or rope which will be raising or lowering cargo, lifeboats or using them to secure the vessel to the dock moorings.

The upkeep of the various machines will also be a part of the technical assistant’s role. This could be conducting daily checks and carrying out routine repairs, possibly replacing fuel filters on engines. Other requirements may be such procedures as maintaining water treatment or sanitation systems.

A support position, as technical assistant primarily is, may also involve the ordering of chemicals or equipment while in port, updating reports on the use of fluids on board or liaising with ports before arrival to pre-empt any requirements that the ship may have.

As part of the medical ream a technical assistant will deal with patient triage, laboratory support and administrative management.

This role is particularly demanding on cruise ships, but it is vital to have someone take care of the routine tasks on cargo vessels to enable the front-line medical team to specialize on the tasks put before them. Updating records and making those that are in command aware of any potential problems in the future may fall into the technical assistant’s role as well.

This hierarchy means that generally, the technical support role demands that you report to your immediate superior. In the cases mentioned above this will be the IT supervisor, chief medic or chief engineer.

 The many varied roles of the Technical Assistant will avail any applicant of the opportunity to take on a diverse array of responsibilities and enjoy an opportunity to travel the world too.