Articles
The ship fitter's history: from hammer blows on the hull to diagnosis on the diesel engineHistory · 9 minThe term ship fitter is young but the craftsmanship behind it is very old. Here you follow the trail from the first shipbuilders through the age of rivets and steam engines to today's ship fitter who services main engines cooling and pipe systems. You get an overview of how materials assembly methods and tasks have changed.A day as a ship fitter: inspection, repair and preventive maintenanceWeekday · 8 minHere you get a picture of what a ship fitter's everyday life looks like — from planned service on a main engine to unexpected troubleshooting on a pipe or cooling system. You learn why preventive maintenance is the backbone of the trade and how a typical task is approached.Tools and equipment in the ship fitter's handsMaterials and tools · 8 minA review of the tools and equipment you work with as a ship fitter — hand tools welding and cutting torches measuring instruments and the manuals and drawings that guide the work. You learn what they are used for and why precision and tool maintenance matter so much.Safety and quality on board and at the shipyardSafety and quality · 8 minThe ship fitter's workplace — engine room shipyard and ship — contains many risks: heavy parts hot work tight spaces and powerful machinery. Here we go through the most important safety considerations and explain why quality and documentation are inseparable from the trade.Career and further paths as ship fitterCareer · 8 minShip fitter training opens up work at shipyards shipping companies and maritime companies but also for further education and specialization. Here we look at what the trade can lead to which competencies are in demand and how you can develop further.The education's structure from basic course to journeyman exam.Education · 10 minShip fitter is a vocational education that typically lasts between 3 and 4½ years. Here you get an overview of basic courses 1 and 2 the main course's alternation between school and practice the two tiers industrial fitter and ship fitter the entry requirements and how to get in.PLACEHOLDER_12PLACEHOLDER_33 · 8 minAs a ship fitter apprentice you receive wages throughout the apprenticeship and wages increase in steps the further you progress. Here we cover the principles behind apprentice wages what a collective agreement means and what conditions apply when you have your journeyman's certificate.Rules, certificates and requirements you meet in the subjectRules and certificates · 9 minThe ship fitter trade is surrounded by rules — both those you must meet to pass the education and those you work under in everyday life. Here you get an overview of the certificates you take along the way and the legal areas you need to know.Work environment safety and ergonomics in depthWork environment · 10 minShip fitter work often takes place in noisy cramped and physically demanding environments. Here we go through the most important work environment risks in the trade — from welding fumes to ergonomics — and the specific tools you use to take care of yourself.The industry today — workplaces, job opportunities and futureIndustry and jobs · 8 minShip fitters primarily find jobs in the maritime industry but competencies reach broadly into the industry. Here we look at where you work what job prospects are and what trends characterize the trade's future.Further and continuing education – how you build on topFurther education · 9 minYour journeyman certificate is not a dead end. As a qualified marine installer, you have several paths ahead — from short courses and certificates to full programmes like marine engineer or engineer. Here's an overview of your options.Ship types and their technical installationsProfessional basis. · 8 minAccording to the ordinance for ship fitters, you must have knowledge of different ship types, their layout and technical installations as well as ship terminology. Here you get an overview of the ship types you typically encounter — from the small fishing boat to the large offshore vessel — and why the type has direct significance for which machinery you must be able to operate and repair.Hydraulics aboard: steering gears, winches and cranesTechnique · 9 minThe ship's rudder winch and cranes are often driven by hydraulics because it provides great power in a compact system. As a ship fitter you must according to the regulation be able to install the ship's hydraulic operating systems and independently build and troubleshoot hydraulic systems using diagrams. Here you get a thorough introduction to how the hydraulics on board are set up and what typically goes wrong.Pumps at sea: centrifugal, screw, and eccentric screw pumpsTechnique · 8 minThe ship fitter competency objectives specifically mention overhauling centrifugal pumps screw pumps and eccentric screw pumps — and being able to choose the right pump based on pump curves medium viscosity and fluid chemistry. Here we go through how the three pump types differ from each other and why the choice of pump is not random.Electrical and electronic systems on board — from relay control to CAN bus.Technique · 9 minModern ships are filled with electrical and electronic systems — from classic relay control to digital networks that link sensors and instruments together. The decree for ship electrician requires knowledge of both electrical diagrams, relay controls and the special standards and protocols for data communication associated with CAN bus. Here you get the overview.Corrosion and corrosion protection on steel shipsMaterials · 8 minA steel hull in salt water is in constant battle against corrosion. As a ship fitter you encounter the two main defences against corrosion: cathodic protection with sacrificial anodes or impressed current and good paint systems. Here you get a thorough review of the principles behind corrosion protection — knowledge that is directly linked to the trade's focus on maintenance and repair.The green transition at sea: new fuels and propulsion technologiesIndustry and environment · 9 minThe regulation for ship fitter requires that you can account for technological developments in the maritime field with a view to reducing the burden on the external environment — including developments in engine technology and alternative fuels. Here you get an overview of where the green transformation of shipping stands and what it means for the future engine room.