Benjamin Manfield
Southampton,United Kingdom
Summary
Marine Engineering Professional with extensive experience in commercial shipping, passenger vessels, and specialist dredging operations. Delivered significant improvements in vessel reliability and operational performance through effective technical management, project execution, and compliance with regulatory standards. Demonstrated strong leadership in engineering teams, fostering safe and efficient vessel operations while managing budgets and optimising maintenance systems.
Overview
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of post-secondary education
23
23
years of professional experience
Work history
Superintendent Engineer / Vessel Manager
Cemex UK Marine
2018.05 - Current
- Managed technical operations of multiple vessels, collaborating with Masters and Chief Engineers to enhance fleet availability and reliability.
- Provide technical management and engineering support for a fleet of trailing suction hopper dredgers, ensuring the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of propulsion, auxiliary, hydraulic, and dredging systems.
- Plan, manage, and supervise vessel dry docks, refits, statutory surveys, and major repair periods, coordinating contractors, Classification Society surveyors, and equipment manufacturers to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- Oversaw engineering CAPEX and OPEX budgets, preparing maintenance forecasts, controlling expenditure, and approving quotations to ensure cost-effective technical solutions.
- Manage the procurement of major machinery, spare parts, specialist services, and contractors, ensuring the timely delivery of critical equipment while maintaining cost control and operational continuity.
- Oversee the fleet Planned Maintenance System (PMS), ensuring maintenance schedules, defect reporting, technical records, and statutory maintenance requirements are accurately maintained and continuously improved.
- Conduct technical investigations, machinery failure analysis, and root cause investigations, implementing corrective and preventative actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce recurring failures.
- Provide technical support and mentoring to Masters, Chief Engineers, and onboard engineering teams, assisting with defect resolution, maintenance planning, statutory compliance, and engineering best practice.
- Lead vessel modification projects, engineering upgrades, and new equipment installations from concept through commissioning, ensuring compliance with Class, statutory requirements, and company standards.
- Manage the technical aspects of insurance claims, machinery failures, and incident investigations, preparing technical reports and coordinating with insurers, surveyors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate routine technical inspections and fleet audits, maintaining compliance with the ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, Classification Society rules, and company Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies.
- Liaise with Classification Societies, Flag State administrations, port authorities, contractors, and OEMs to coordinate surveys, repairs, technical projects, and regulatory compliance across the fleet.
- Monitored fleet technical performance through maintenance trends and defect analysis, implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance vessel availability and safety.
Chief Engineer Officer
Cemex UK Marine
2014.04 - 2018.05
- Held overall responsibility for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all engineering systems onboard trailing suction hopper dredgers MV Sand Falcon and MV Sand Fulmar, including propulsion, auxiliary machinery, dredging systems, discharge systems, hydraulic equipment, and deck machinery.
- Managed and led the vessel engineering department, providing direction, supervision, and technical support to engineering officers, ratings, and contractors while maintaining high standards of safety, reliability, and operational performance.
- Managed the operation and maintenance of critical dredging equipment, including dredge pumps, suction systems, discharge pipelines, hydraulic systems, and associated machinery essential to vessel productivity.
- Oversaw vessel Planned Maintenance System (PMS), coordinating work planning, defect reporting, and maintenance scheduling to meet company, Class, and statutory requirements.
- Planned and supervised preventative and corrective maintenance activities, ensuring effective use of manpower, spares, and resources to minimise downtime and maintain vessel availability.
- Monitored machinery performance, carried out fault diagnosis, and implemented corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce operational failures.
- Ensured compliance with the ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, Classification Society requirements, and company Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) procedures.
- Acted as a key member of the vessel management team, working closely with the Master, shore-based technical management, and external contractors to coordinate repairs, maintenance periods, and operational requirements.
- Coordinated and supervised repair projects, including contractor attendance, specialist repairs, machinery overhauls, and technical upgrades, ensuring safe and efficient completion.
- Managed engineering budgets and expenditure, ensuring efficient use of stores, spares, and technical resources to support cost-effective vessel operation.
- Managed, organised, and trained engineering personnel, including allocating duties and developing junior engineers while promoting safe working practices.
- Supported vessel inspections, audits, surveys, and regulatory compliance activities, ensuring readiness for Class, Flag State, and company inspections.
- Maintained accurate engineering records, reports, and documentation, ensuring effective communication between vessel and shore-based management teams.
2nd Engineer Officer
Cemex UK Marine
2011.07 - 2014.04
- Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and reliability of all vessel machinery, including engine room systems, dredging equipment, discharge systems, and deck machinery.
- Managed vessel's Planned Maintenance System (PMS), creating and scheduling work orders, administering the system, reporting maintenance, updating templates, and coordinating system improvements for accurate maintenance records and regulatory compliance.
- Planned and supervised maintenance activities, ensuring the effective use of manpower, spare parts, and resources to maximise operational efficiency while minimising downtime.
- Played a key role in restoring MV Sand Weaver from a period of persistent mechanical failures to a reliable and commercially productive vessel through effective maintenance planning, fault diagnosis, and equipment improvements.
- Served as the vessel's Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with the Code of Safe Working Practices and company Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies, working closely with the Company's Health & Safety Officer to maintain high safety standards.
- Coordinated maintenance, repairs, contractors, and inspections during dry-dock periods for both vessels at A&P Tees, ensuring timely completion and minimising operational disruption.
- Major dry-dock refit of MV Sand Weaver, assisting the Chief Engineer with extensive steel renewals, ballast tank blasting and recoating, and the complete strip-down and overhaul of the main engine, including the replacement of multiple major components.
- Organised and standardised vessel's spare parts inventory in preparation for implementation of the company's digital inventory and maintenance management system, enhancing stock control and maintenance efficiency.
- Served as Second Engineer aboard the trailing suction hopper dredgers MV Sand Weaver and MV Sand Falcon (direct drive propulsion).
2nd Engineer Officer
Princess Cruises
2010.02 - 2011.06
- Performed duties as Senior Engineer Officer of the Watch (SEOOW), leading the engineering watch team, supervising Third Engineers and Motormen, coordinating machinery operations, responding to alarms and emergencies, authorising equipment isolations, and investigating, reporting, and rectifying machinery defects.
- Maintained responsibility for the safe operation, monitoring, and maintenance of engine room machinery and auxiliary systems, ensuring compliance with company procedures, the ISM Code, SOLAS, MARPOL, and Flag and Port State requirements.
- Coordinated maintenance activities as Daywork Second Engineer, overseeing engine fitters during planned maintenance and repairs on main diesel engines, gas turbines, auxiliary boilers, economisers, bilge and ballast systems, freshwater evaporators, and associated machinery.
- Served aboard the MV Diamond Princess in multiple engineering capacities, including Senior Engineer Officer of the Watch (SEOOW), Safety & Hotel Engineer, and Daywork Second Engineer, supporting the safe and efficient operation of a large passenger vessel.
- Trained and developed engineering cadets, fostering safe working practices and ensuring operational competence within the engine department.
- Served as Safety & Hotel Engineer, supervising multidisciplinary teams including hotel and deck fitters, plumbers, carpenters, waste management personnel, and engine ratings to deliver planned and corrective maintenance across hotel and safety-critical systems.
- Held responsibility for the inspection, maintenance, testing, and certification of lifesaving and safety equipment, including lifeboats, davits, launching winches, watertight doors, convention valves, and incineration systems, ensuring full statutory compliance.
- Managed the maintenance of hotel technical systems, including commercial galley equipment, main laundry machinery, swimming pool plant and chemical dosing systems, and the Hamworthy Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) sewage treatment plant, maintaining environmental and public health compliance records.
- Supported planning, execution, inspection, and completion of major maintenance, repairs, and statutory surveys during the vessel's scheduled dry dock in Singapore.
3rd Engineer Officer
Princess Cruises
2007.09 - 2010.02
- Conducted engineering watchkeeping duties, monitoring propulsion, auxiliary, and hotel systems, responding to alarms, diagnosing faults, and taking appropriate corrective action to maintain safe vessel operations.
- Served as Junior Engineer Officer of the Watch aboard the MV Diamond Princess, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of a diesel and gas turbine electric propulsion plant.
- Conducted maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting on starting air and service air compressor systems, ensuring reliable operation of critical machinery.
- Monitored boiler water chemistry, main engine and auxiliary cooling water treatment programmes, and potable water treatment systems, conducting routine testing to ensure compliance with operational standards and system efficiency.
- Maintained and overhauled fuel and lubricating oil purifiers, ensuring optimum machinery performance and fuel treatment efficiency.
- Carried out routine analysis and condition monitoring of lubricating and fuel oils, maintaining accurate records and identifying trends to support preventative maintenance.
- Participated in planned maintenance, fault finding, machinery inspections, and condition monitoring throughout the engine department, contributing to the safe and reliable operation of propulsion and auxiliary systems.
- Supported operation, testing, and routine maintenance of vessel's sewage treatment plant, monitoring treatment efficiency to ensure environmental compliance.
3rd Engineer Officer / Cadet
Maersk Line / P&O Nedlloyd
2003.09 - 2007.09
- Served as Engine Cadet and subsequently Third Engineer aboard 8,500 TEU container vessels powered by low-speed, 12-cylinder, two-stroke main propulsion engines.
- Performed engineering watchkeeping duties within a three-watch rotation, operating and monitoring machinery spaces under UMS (Unattended Machinery Space) conditions during night operations.
- Managed operation, maintenance, testing, and planned maintenance of auxiliary machinery, including fuel and lubricating oil purifiers, compressors, auxiliary boilers, boiler water treatment systems, safety equipment, and sewage treatment plant to ensure optimal performance.
- Conducted routine machinery inspections, fault diagnosis, condition monitoring, and corrective maintenance to ensure the safe and reliable operation of propulsion and auxiliary systems.
- Participated in planned maintenance and emergency repairs throughout the engine department, gaining experience on main propulsion machinery, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, fuel, lubricating oil, cooling water, ballast, and bilge systems.
- Supervised engine room ratings, allocating tasks to ensure maintenance activities were completed safely and efficiently, adhering to company procedures and the Planned Maintenance System (PMS).
- Ensured compliance with company safety procedures, ISM Code, and MARPOL requirements, contributing to safe and efficient vessel operations.
- Assisted in the training and mentoring of Engine Cadets, providing practical instruction in machinery operation, maintenance procedures, and safe working practices.
Education
South Tyneside College
2014.01 - 2014.04
South Tyneside College
2009.02 - 2009.04
Warsash Maritime Academy
2003.09 - 2006.07
Skills
- TSHD operations expertise
- Diesel & Gas Turbine Propulsion Systems – Broad experience operating and maintaining low-speed two-stroke diesel engines, diesel-electric propulsion systems, gas turbine propulsion, and associated auxiliary machinery
- Passenger Vessel Engineering Systems – Experience maintaining complex hotel, environmental, safety, and public health systems onboard large cruise vessels
- Fleet technical management
- Planned maintenance systems
- Dry dock management
- Budget management
- Inventory management
- Safety compliance expertise
- Regulatory compliance
- Engineering team leadership
- Project management
- Emergency management
- Marine engineering leadership
- Stakeholder management
- Operational optimisation
Certification
- Designated Person Ashore (DPA) – September 2018
- RINA Contractor Management for Ship Construction, Repair & Design – October 2018
- Maritime Auditor / Lead Auditor – November 2019
- City & Guilds Level 2 – F-Gas and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Regulations – October 2020
Timeline
Superintendent Engineer / Vessel Manager
Cemex UK Marine
2018.05 - Current
Chief Engineer Officer
Cemex UK Marine
2014.04 - 2018.05
South Tyneside College
2014.01 - 2014.04
2nd Engineer Officer
Cemex UK Marine
2011.07 - 2014.04
2nd Engineer Officer
Princess Cruises
2010.02 - 2011.06
South Tyneside College
2009.02 - 2009.04
3rd Engineer Officer
Princess Cruises
2007.09 - 2010.02
Warsash Maritime Academy
2003.09 - 2006.07
3rd Engineer Officer / Cadet
Maersk Line / P&O Nedlloyd
2003.09 - 2007.09