Army operations aren't strictly limited to land. Ocean going and harbor craft are often used to support operations throughout the continental United States and overseas. It's up to members of the Army watercraft operation team to navigate, pilot, and maintain these watercraft. Army watercraft Soldiers have unique opportunities to embark upon specialized landing craft, small and large tugs, and high speed craft, and gain valuable skills in all aspects of maintaining each of these craft. Watercraft engineers are part of a maintenance team aboard these vessels.

Watercraft Engineers are primarily responsible for supervising or performing maintenance on Army watercraft and auxiliary equipment on marine vessels. Some of your duties as a Watercraft Engineer may include:

• Stand watch in the engine room while craft is in port or underway
• Perform daily systems checks and posting all instrument and gage readings to the engineer logbook
• Repair and maintain gasoline and diesel engines
• Locate and repair machinery parts, including valves and piping systems
• Troubleshoot and repair watercraft propulsion machinery
• Repair and service hoisting and lift machinery
• Troubleshoot and repair refrigeration and air conditioning equipment on watercraft
• Repair engine-related electrical systems

Job training for a Watercraft Engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and nine weeks and two days of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in marine engine maintenance and repair. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Internal combustion engine theory
• Repair of electronic and electrical machinery systems
• Service and repair of fuel injection systems
• Welding and machine shop fabrication

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in shop mechanics
• An interest in fixing engines and machinery
• An ability to use hand and power tools
• A preference for doing physical work

Advanced level Watercraft Engineers provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Watercraft Engineer, you may be involved in:

• Prepare marine vessel equipment for operation
• Start, operate, troubleshoot and secure vessel engines
• Inspect, service, adjust, replace, repair and overhaul engine components, throttle controls, accessory drives, boiler and piping systems
• Inspect vessel steering mechanisms, electrical and wiring assemblies, cooling and lubrication systems and vessel hulls for general upkeep
• Compute fuel requirements and document vessel fuel usage
• Compile and maintain the engine room records

The skills you learn as a Watercraft Engineer will help prepare you for a civilian career with the marine transportation, commercial fishing, oil exploration, facility maintenance, heating and air conditioning or diesel engine maintenance or repair. You'll be able to consider a future as a marine engine mechanic.

• Construction Equipment Repairer (91L)
• Utilities Equipment Repairer (91C)
• Watercraft Operator (88K)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.