domestic to marine plumber

[therm-mate]

Hi There im just new to this site not sure if im askin this in the right place but any info would be appreciated.

Im currently a domestic plumber qualified to svq level 3 and domestic gas CCN1 CEN1 CKR1 HTR1 CPA1

Getting a bit fed up of the day to day grind and boring work so im looking for info on changing to become a marine plumber to work on ships or offshore on oil rigs.

would my current qualifications help me get into this?

does anyone know any courses i could take in scotland to help me get into this kind of work?

do they need domestic plumbers and heating engineers offshore?

Any info at all would be great

Thanks David

 

[CES]

You don't get plumbers on ships, its the job of the marine engineer. You could always try retraining as a marine engineer? Try asking Clyde Marine ( The Clyde Group ) in Glasgow or Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. I think it may be called City of Glasgow College now. [DLMURL="http://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk/marine-deck-engineering-courses"]Marine, Deck & Engineering Courses | City of Glasgow College[/DLMURL]

 

[gaspastemania]

Wont get anywhere with that background at all, have worked in shipyards and on nuclear power and need mechnaical fitting background . Plumbing heating quals complete pointless.

 

[gaspastemania]

Oh its awfull fitting on ships as well !!!

 

[CES]

I served my time in the merchant navy as a marine engineer, it used to be a way of life, now its just like any other industry. It is pretty minging working on the sewage system on a ship, some use anaerobic bacteria systems which eat the crap, but they need an air supply provided by pumps which usually backfill with urine and seize and you gotta strip and clean them. Theres also freshwater generators to look after which use flash evaporation to make freshwater out of seawater which are usually a nightmare to keep going, but hey? maybe it was just the boats I was on.

 

[gaspastemania]

I spent five years working on nuclear sub reactors and core ponds . Was a nightmare to be honest constant confined spaces and health safety extreme . Would spend all day just to remove a a few bolts from a flange on the cooling system . Same as when working withb used fuel flasks had to set up rigs to help reduce radioactivity would take all day just to authorise a few spanners lol .

 

[GQuigley67]

some of my mates have moved from plumber to shipyards in govan, can't recall if they were domestic or commercial, i think they were domestic. If you have commercial experience that will help as it is mostly pipe fitting and flanges I believe

 

[GrahamM]

I do not know how the guys are going about it, but I have been told a lot of gas engineers particularly from SG are getting jobs offshore and on shipping in Aberdeen. So there must be a doorway in here somewhere. Maybe with the domestic plumbing and gas experience/knowledge companies are of the opinion there will be less training required to bring these guys upto speed on offshore systems.

 

[armourer]

I think I have been a marine plumber for years, the amount of floods Ive had.:wink_smile:

 

[therm-mate]

thanks for the replys,i do have experience off commercial work to,(but no proof of doing this work) screwing pipe etc but not welding would it be beneficial to go on a welding course?

 

[GQuigley67]

i wouldnt worry about the welding, will be someone else who does that, you'll just be doing pipe-fitting.

 

[tomplumb83]

Im doing a marine engineering course at the minute - Not easy though!
Only chance of getting a job as plumber is on a cruise ship I would have thought. That wont be good money and you'll be away 3-4 month at a time.
Whatever you do you'll have to get your safety certificates. Expect these to be around £1000 just for the basic ones