Ken McWilliam

Experience

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  P&O Cruises

  Sept 1994 - Apr 1997

  Engineer Cadet

  Completed Higher National Diploma in Engineering (Marine), then vocational training on company vessels towards qualification as an Engineer Officer.

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  Princess Cruises

  Apr 1997 - Feb 2004

  Assistant Engineer Officer to First Engineer Officer

  Progression through the rank structure culminating is sailing as First Engineer Officer.Majority of the time as Engineer Officer of the Watch operating and maintaining main propulsion and auxiliary systems, but working at other times as Maintenance Engineer Officer having responsibility for repair and maintenance of ship’s hotel and safety systems including boats, davits, mooring eqpt and hydraulic systems.Time as First Engineer Officer having oversight of the technical watchkeeping team. Show less

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  The Bristol Port Company

  Mar 2004 - Dec 2004

  Assistant Engineer

  Working within Marine Department duties included oil terminal, dredging fleetand work boat admin and superintendency. Various marine related projects in both hands on and organizational roles. Issuing Permits to Work on behalf of the port.

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  Svitzer

  Jan 2005 - Sept 2008

  Superintendency for nine vessels based in the Upper Bristol Channel area. Tasks included maintaining vessels in Class at all times, specifying and supervising dockings, organising maintenance as required to minimise downtime and strict budget control.Latterly additional regional responsibility overseeing other superintendents in the South West region of the UK. Working as Chief Engineer on tugs engaged in both harbour and coastal towing duties. Responsible for day to day operation, maintenance and repair of vessel.

  • Engineering Superintendent

    Jan 2006 - Sept 2008

  • Chief Engineer

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2006
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  Princess Cruises

  Sept 2008 - Aug 2012

  Senior First Engineer Officer

  In charge of the maintenance of all engine room systems, including preparing machinery and systems for Class survey. Management of a multi-national team of fitters and wipers along with supervision of engine room watchkeeping team.

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  The Scottish Government

  Oct 2012 - Apr 2015

  Second Engineer & Chief Engineer

  Sailing on marine patrol and marine research vessels. Management and execution of planned and breakdown maintenance tasks, and providing general technical assistance for the smooth running of the vessel. Significant duties in the daily administration and procurement functions for the vessel.

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  Interislander

  Apr 2015 - Apr 2020

  Working in a support role for the engineering function of the fleet. Specific responsibility for the management of the maintenance team, inventory management for assets held ashore and for contractor management. Working on company vessels in an operational engineering and supervisory capacity.Vessels operating on the Wellington to Picton route between the North Island and South Island in New Zealand.

  • Engineering Superintendent

    Nov 2016 - Apr 2020

  • First Officer Engineer

    Apr 2015 - Nov 2016
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  KiwiRail

  Apr 2020 - Mar 2024

  Ships Programme - Marine Engineering Manager, iReX Programme

  A long serving member of the iReX Programme Team within KiwiRail. The project was to replace the vessels in the Interislander ferry fleet along with the terminals in Wellington and Picton, with the new vessels being larger than the existing ships to enable KiwiRail to meet current and future customer needs, and as a result the entire Interislander operation is on a journey of transformation.Unfortunately a change in Government resulted in the decision to withdrawn the funding for the project and the build of the vessels was cancelled as a result.I brought knowledge and experience from various seagoing and shoreside roles to the iReX Ships Programme Team in the postion of Marine Engineering Manager. In my role I worked as a subject matter expert, and was tasked with ensuring that marine engineering operational & management input and oversight was provided throughout the phases of the new building project; these phases include concept, basic & detail design, procurement of equipment & systems. Show less

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  Clyde Built Solutions

  Apr 2024 - now

  Director

  Providing various skillsets to the marine industry to assist with project works.