Marine Systems Electrical Technician

Overview

Marine Systems Electrical Technicians (MSETs) are responsible for the operation and maintenance of electrical and control systems onboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ships and Submarines. They may also be employed at shore repair and naval technical training facilities to support fleet activities. MSETs start at the apprentice level, operating and maintaining all marine systems engineering equipment onboard ship.

• Operate, maintain, and supervise electrical and control systems at sea.
• Maintain, operate, and monitor electrical and electronic equipment associated with ship‑power generation, ancillary and auxiliary systems, and propulsion systems.
• Operate and monitor ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Monitor, operate, and maintain electrical machinery for shipboard power generation & distribution, including main and emergency switchboards, ungrounded/isolated electrical systems, diesel and gas‑turbine generator systems, generator synchronization & load sharing, automatic voltage regulators, shore power connection systems, transformers and circuit breakers.
• Maintain propulsion & auxiliary machinery electrical systems: electric propulsion motors (AC, synchronous, PM), bow/stern thrusters, variable‑pitch propeller control systems, steering‑gear electrical systems, ballast & bilge pump controls, stabilizer control systems, motor control centres.
• Operate marine automation & control systems:
  Integrated Automation System (IAS)/IPMS, PLCs, I/O modules, marine HMI systems, Alarm and Monitoring Systems (AMS), Engine Control Room (ECR) systems, navigation light panel control systems.
• Maintain motors & drive systems: AC/DC motors, VFDs & soft starters, servo drives, motor protection relays, motor testing & troubleshooting.
• Maintain shipboard instrumentation & sensors: pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters, 4–20 mA loops, tank‑sounding systems, shaft torque/power meters, fuel & lube oil monitoring instruments.
• Ensure safety, survivability & hazardous areas: SOLAS‑compliant circuits, fire detection & suppression control systems, watertight door electrical systems, marine‑rated electrical equipment (EX/IECEx), marine‑rated junction boxes, glands & penetrations, ground fault detection.
• Apply marine electrical installation practices: marine‑rated cables (LSZH, tinned copper), cable trays, hangers, naval conduit systems, cable dressing for vibration & moisture resistance, bulkhead & deck penetrations, bonding, earthing, continuity systems, corrosion prevention & ICCP systems.
• Use protective devices & electrical safety equipment: overload, ground fault and short‑circuit protection, arc‑flash mitigation equipment, emergency stop and interlock systems, lockout/tagout procedures.
• Implement industrial/marine networking & communication protocols:
  Modbus RTU/TCP, Profibus/Profinet, CAN bus, Ethernet/IP, fiber optic shipboard networks.
• Read and interpret technical drawings & documentation: electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, single‑line and three‑line diagrams, P&IDs, cable schedules, marine classification drawings.
• Perform testing, troubleshooting & diagnostics: multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testing, earth fault tracing systems, loop calibrators, thermal imaging, oscilloscopes.
• Read and interpret engineering sketches and drawings, including electrical and electronic drawings.

MSETs spend much of their career on board ships based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Esquimalt, British Columbia. Duties include repairing or maintaining equipment and participating in ship‑wide operations such as fueling. While at sea, ship’s company stands watch in shifts; when alongside, MSETs typically work regular day‑shift schedules. Junior MSETs may also perform general duties such as cleaning, painting, cafeteria work, or loading supplies.

The minimum acceptable education is the completion of provincial Grade 10 requirements, including Grade 10 Applied Math & Grade 10 Applied Science.

Paid Education Options:
The CAF pays successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college under the Non‑Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program…