Coastal and marine

Coastal and marine engineering is essentially about diverting and defending against the forces of nature. Protecting the coast is increasingly important to society due to sea level rises and coastal erosion. Sea defences are either hard, such as concrete monoliths that the sea bounces off, or soft, where beaches are replaced or created. Accessing the marine environment involves ports and harbours being built and maintained along the coast so that we can use the sea to transport people and goods, and catch food.

Coastal engineers get ready for the next generation

The sector will change as projects involving offshore wind farms, tidal generation and the Thames Gateway step up a notch. And ports will need to be reassessed to cater for the next generation of ships.

Graduate jobs in coastal and marine engineering

A graduate engineer working for a contractor will usually start in a hands-on role, controlling the works. You could be undertaking surveys, setting out piling works or helping supervise a reclamation scheme. The roles in a consultancy may differ and you might assist a team leader, develop a design or gather data in the field.

You may also find graduate work with a range of specialist companies in areas such as dredging and reclamation, long sea outfalls, off shore installations, sea wall piling, diving, towage, marine equipment and specialist shipping.

You are likely to travel a lot as marine and coastal engineers are in demand in many regions within the UK, throughout Europe and beyond.

Skills for a graduate career as a marine engineer

• A degree in civil or coastal engineering or a related subject.
• Problem solving, solution development and visualisation.
• Knowledge of the marine environment and how it changes.
• Communication and team skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and take responsibility.

A working life by the sea

Getting paid to work by the sea is fantastic, and anyone from a marine background or who likes to sail will enjoy the career as you’ll meet a wide range of people from seafaring backgrounds. Coastal and marine projects are valuable to local communities, so being an engineer in this area provides a real sense of making a difference.

EUR ING Robert Blakebrough, CEng FICE, is a project manager for Costain Civil Engineering, Marine Division. He has a BSc in civil engineering from Middlesex University and has been working in this field for 26 years.