Discovering careers at Ocean - Engineer Officer

Can you describe your current role at Ocean Group?

I am an engineer officer at Ocean Towing Montreal. I am responsible for maintenance, diagnostics, and mechanical repairs on tugboats and pilot boats in Montreal, as well as on dock machinery. Together with the superintendent, I ensure that our vessels comply with and adhere to the standards established by Transport Canada and classification societies at all times through preventive maintenance and rigorous inspections. I also make sure that our fleet's preventive maintenance system is kept up to date.

How would you describe your daily life at Ocean?

My daily routine varies from day to day.
Sometimes, the day starts abruptly and doesn't stop until evening. Other times, it's slower, and I take the opportunity to catch up on paperwork.

Typically, the day starts with a short morning meeting with the mechanical superintendent and the dock team, where we discuss current projects and priorities. Then I review the Sinex preventive maintenance system: I make sure that tasks that can be closed are closed, that the required documents are attached, and that everything is in order.

I also visit tugboats without a licensed mechanic on board to do the daily inspection and fill out the forms in the SMS. I am also responsible for fueling the tugboats: filling and transferring fuel.

Projects follow one after another throughout the day, and no two are alike.

How does the role of engineer officer at Ocean differ from other similar positions in the maritime industry?

My role differs from other similar positions mainly in its versatility and the management responsibilities it entails.
Rather than supervising a single vessel, I have to manage several. Much of the work is done outdoors, and the nature of operations on a tugboat means that the tasks are extremely varied.

In a single day, I can go from mechanical work to cargo handling, then to maneuvers on board. This is very different from the role of a mechanical officer on board a ship, who is mainly focused on the engine room and does not generally take part in the ship's operations.

What motivates you most in your current job?

What motivates me in my current job is the variety of tasks, the trust my superiors place in me, the camaraderie, and the various opportunities for advancement.

How has your career evolved since you joined the company?

I have been with Ocean since July 2017. I started at Marine Works and Dredging, where I took part in a series of projects, each more interesting than the last—from the construction site in Fort McMurray, Alberta (until its completion in 2021), to the dredging project in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to the construction of the Champlain Bridge.

I then joined Ocean Navigation, where I had the opportunity to work as Engineer Officer on various ships, including the Ocean Taiga, and to contribute to exciting projects such as the BIM project.

In 2023, I was finally won over by the stability offered by Montreal—a more regular schedule and a more balanced family life.

Can you share a memorable moment with your team or a significant project in your career at Ocean Group?

There have been several highlights in my career at Ocean. I have met some wonderful people over the past eight years, but the one that stands out the most is undoubtedly my trip to the North aboard the Ocean Taiga. This project allowed me to push myself while enjoying a unique experience that few people have the chance to do.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career here, and how did you overcome it?

We face challenges every day, and that's what makes the work stimulating and allows us to grow professionally. But the biggest challenge I've had to overcome was the dredging project in Prince Rupert.

I arrived in the last year of the contract. The equipment was showing significant signs of wear and tear, and major breakdowns were occurring one after another. The days were long, and the conditions were often more difficult than what I was used to. As a marine mechanic by training, I knew little about heavy machinery. But thanks to perseverance, extensive research, and the support of my superiors and the team in Quebec City, we managed to keep operations going until the end of the project.

I came away with new knowledge and a great experience.

What are your short and long-term professional goals at Ocean Group?

For the future, I definitely plan to stay with the Ocean Group. In the short term, I love working on the dock in Montreal. In the longer term, I would like to have a more office-based job where I can share my knowledge and experience to help the company grow.

How do you see your future within the company?

I would like to become a mechanical superintendent one day, and who knows, maybe even hold a management position!