Pandarinath Pandarinath

Technical Instructor for Electrical, Electronic and Marine Engineering

Warsash Maritime School

Pandarinath.patel@solent.ac.uk

Biography

Pandarinath Patel is a seasoned professional with a dynamic career spanning both maritime and academic fields. He began his journey as an Electrical Electronics Engineer and, after leaving his role as Operations Manager in his home state, joined the Merchant Navy in 2011. With over a decade of experience as an Electro Technical Officer (ETO), Pandarinath honed technical skills while working primarily on Danish-flagged vessels, including petrochemical tankers and Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs).

In 2019, he pursued further qualifications, moving to New Zealand to complete a diploma in Marine Engineering. He earned a Class 3 Certificate of Competency and continued to excel at sea, serving as both 4th Engineer and ETO. His outstanding performance led to a swift promotion to 3rd Engineer, where he served dual roles, again on Danish-flagged ships, working with multinational crews.

After Twelve long years at sea, most of it aboard Danish-flagged vessels, Pandarinath transitioned to land-based opportunities. He pursued postgraduate studies in International Business at Bangor Business School. His expertise in marine engineering and electrical systems led to an offer from Solent University, where he now imparts his knowledge as a Technical Instructor in Electrical, Electronics, and Marine Engineering.

His career is a testament to his adaptability, technical excellence, and commitment to continuous learning. His extensive experience as an ETO and his work on several kinds of ships makes him a valuable figure in both the maritime industry and academia.

Further information

With 12 years of experience as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) in the merchant navy, I have gained comprehensive expertise in managing and maintaining the electrical and electronic systems of various vessels, mainly product tankers. My key responsibilities have included troubleshooting, repairing, and performing planned maintenance on power generation and distribution systems, transmission systems, and automation controls.

I have followed the international maritime regulations, including SOLAS and MARPOL, and have ensured compliance with safety standards while implementing effective electrical safety measures.

My experience also includes leading and mentoring junior officers and cadets, coordinating with the engineering team to ensure efficient operations, and handling critical situations like break down maintenance or system failures with quick decision-making. I’ve been involved in vessel retrofitting projects and emergency response situations.

In addition to my technical role, my passion for teaching began during my engineering studies in India, where I started tutoring junior students and schoolchildren. This early experience sparked my interest in teaching, and it quickly became a habit and a personal interest alongside my technical career.

Throughout my 12 years as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) and 3^rd engineer(lately) in the merchant navy, I continued to nurture this passion by mentoring cadets, junior officers, and ratings onboard various vessels. I regularly taught electrical safety, troubleshooting, and maintenance techniques to crew members, ensuring they were well-equipped to handle the ship’s electrical systems, also about basics on machinery principles - START, STOP and operating procedures. During vessel upgrades, I conducted training sessions for both the technical and management teams, helping them understand new systems and technologies.

Courses

HND Marine Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Build the foundations of a career as a marine electro-technical officer in the dynamic maritime industry - supported by a sponsoring company to become a certified Engineer Officer of the Watch.

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BEng (Hons) Marine Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Voyage the world in the Merchant Navy as a valuable member of crew, working towards qualification as an electro-technical officer, and studying with world-renowned Warsash Maritime School.