Category: My ETO Journey
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Sometimes the most frustrating situation at work is not the workload. It is when people around you do not see your expertise, underestimate your abilities, or look down on you before truly understanding what you can do. You may know the solution, have the experience, and even notice mistakes before others do. But reacting with…
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Electrical drawings are one of the most important tools for an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO). In many ways, they are the language of electrical engineers on board ships. Without understanding drawings, it is difficult to fully understand how a system works or how to solve problems when faults happen. When we study a system, electrical diagrams…
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Among all the 440V low insulation faults I’ve encountered, this case was quite unique. When the 440V insulation dropped all the way down to zero, I carried out the usual troubleshooting steps—tripping available breakers, shifting loads like pumps, and isolating circuits one by one—but I couldn’t locate the fault initially. Eventually, the issue was traced…
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To be honest, AMS/IAS is not difficult for end-user handling and troubleshooting.Still, as a junior ETO, I used to hesitate and overthink everything during the early days of my career. On board, this feeling was made worse by comments like: “Don’t touch it.”“That system is sensitive.” When responsibility came, confidence dropped.Even simple tasks felt risky,…
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In the world of marine electrical engineering, it is easy to rely solely on past experience when solving problems. After all, experience is valuable. It gives us quick recall of solutions that worked before. But there is a catch: ships change, systems change, and what worked on one vessel may not apply to another. As…
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In our shipping career, we often talk about being “qualified” or “certified,” but that alone is not enough to be respected on board — especially for an ETO. Unlike other ranks, an ETO usually works alone. That means your value is judged purely by your skill, attitude, and how well you carry yourself in a…
ETO Insights 