Painter (Marine)

Job Summary

The Marine Painter prepares and coats marine vessels and related structures to protect them from corrosion, fouling, weather, and chemical exposure. This role involves surface preparation, masking, mixing and applying marine-grade coatings (including anti-fouling and epoxy systems), and finishing work to meet quality, safety, and customer specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare surfaces for painting by washing, degreasing, scraping, sanding, grinding, blasting, and/or power-tool cleaning.

• Remove old coatings, rust, scale, and marine growth as required.

• Mask and protect hardware, fittings, windows, non-painted areas, and sensitive equipment.

• Mix and thin paints/coatings per manufacturer technical data sheets (TDS) and job specs.

• Apply coatings using spray, roller, brush, or airless spray methods depending on the system.

• Apply specialized marine coatings such as epoxy primers, polyurethane topcoats, anti-fouling paints, and anti-corrosion systems.

• Monitor and maintain required film thickness (wet/dry) and record measurements where required.

• Identify and correct defects (runs, sags, pinholes, orange peel, overspray, contamination).

• Perform touch-ups and finishing, including polishing or detailing when needed.

• Maintain paint equipment (hoses, tips, spray guns), ensure proper cleanup, and manage solvents safely.

• Follow HSE procedures (PPE, ventilation, confined space rules, hot work coordination).

• Work in coordination with shipyard teams (blasting, mechanical, electrical) to meet production schedules.

• Maintain housekeeping standards in work areas, docks, scaffolds, and painting sheds.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of marine coatings, corrosion control, and surface-prep standards.

• Ability to operate painting tools: airless spray systems, conventional spray, rollers, brushes, and surface prep equipment.

• Familiarity with coating inspection tools (e.g., wet film gauge, dry film thickness gauge) is a plus.

• Ability to read and follow job cards, paint specs, and manufacturer instructions.

• Good attention to detail and consistency in finish quality.

• Comfortable working at heights, around water, and in varied weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Technical certification in painting/coating, shipyard trades, or related field is a plus.

• Relevant experience in shipyards, boatyards, offshore structures, or industrial coating preferred.

• Any safety training/certs (e.g., confined space, working at height, respirator fit test) is an advantage.