As one of the 150 people in the crew, Machinist Mate First Class Matt Bailey
has the rare privilege of getting to work with the mechanical operations on
a nuclear submarine.
Being part of the crew of one of the navy's finest vessels may sound
exciting, but it's not always good clean fun for a mechanic like Bailey.
"The mechanics I work with can't be afraid to get dirty. Whether it
be hydraulic oil or human waste or just the nasty stuff that seems to collect
in the bilge, we are always getting dirty."
Not just anyone can appreciate Bailey's dirty work. "Some of my fondest
memories as a marine mechanic have been grossing out the electronics and administration
personnel."
What does it take to be a marine mechanic, you may ask? "You need to be
four feet tall, have six-foot-long triple-jointed arms and be skinny as a
rail, while having the strength of Arnold Schwarzenegger!" Bailey jokes.
When the machinery is fitted into the limited spaces aboard these submarines,
there really is very little room for a person to squeeze themselves into,
let alone work.
In order to work effectively, a person has to manage a variety of physical
and mental challenges. "You do need upper body strength, strong fingers [and]
a good head for mechanical systems and system operations. Having a good eye
for spatial relations helps, and reasoning skills are very important when
deciphering the hieroglyphics the engineers and architects use on blueprints
and technical drawings."
The number of women in this career has slowly been increasing.
Bailey admits that the field of mechanics is a male-dominated profession.
However, he has worked alongside a woman. "I have worked with some dynamite
female mechanics," he says. "They are able to go toe to toe with anyone in
the shop. It all depends on your attitude and ability, not your gender."
That's what people like Tish Kelly like to hear. She's been working
on engines professionally for many years, but she says it hasn't been
easy. "Being a woman [mechanic] you have to come out guns blazing and earn
that respect right from the beginning."
She had to make sure that people knew she was serious. Kelly admits being
mechanically inclined is a definite asset when working in a field which can,
at times, be very physically challenging.
She knows the importance of being a competent mechanic who can do the job
well. "This job is very demanding," she adds. "Especially in the smaller shops."
Education and training are very important for a person studying to be a
marine mechanic. Kelly's seen people get their start as volunteers in
shops, but she believes that the best education is earned through a technical
college or training school. "I don't think I'd have done it, if
I had to do it the old way," she says.
Numerous training schools and technical colleges offer students courses
in marine mechanics, which include co-operative education and apprenticeship
programs. Kelly participated in an apprenticeship program offered through
a local college. There, she received both in-class instruction and the hands-on
training she needed to become a qualified mechanic.
Being a good mechanic takes a solid background in both the sciences and
the arts. "I have found that trigonometry, algebra and arithmetic are helpful.
Understanding basic physics and fluid power, gas laws, thermodynamics and
chemistry are all excellent subjects and are very useful," recalls Bailey.
Having an eye for numbers isn't the only thing you need to be successful
in this field. Strong communication skills are crucial, whether you're
dealing with a customer, another mechanic or one of your crew.
As in many trades, accidents are unavoidable. Being a marine mechanic can
be a very dangerous job. For a mechanic, injuries can include back strains,
bruises, lacerations, broken knuckles and chemical burns, to name a few. "I
have seen people killed by falling equipment," Bailey says.
In this job, a mistake can result in serious injury or even loss of life.
A person has to be responsible and be aware of what they're doing and
what's happening around them. Agility and awareness of the work environment
are extremely critical.
So, after all the hard work and dangerous conditions, what is it that makes
the job of a marine mechanic so appealing? "I feel a sense of accomplishment
when I have taken a piece of equipment that was broken, and no one could figure
out what was wrong with it, and I troubleshoot, diagnose and correct the problem.
I love it when a plan comes together!" Bailey says.
Kelly appreciates the flexibility that the job allows her. Working as a
mechanic provides her with skills that can be taken just about anywhere. "I
have a certain independence," remarks Kelly. "I can move anywhere in the country
and have a job!"