Marine Electrician

About the Role
The Company owns a recreational cruiser moored in Port Moody and is seeking a qualified marine electrician on a part-time contract basis. The first priority is to produce a complete, accurate electrical schematic of the vessel as it stands today. Once the system is documented, the electrician will carry out wiring updates as new equipment is installed or existing equipment is replaced, and provide routine maintenance, troubleshooting and periodic inspection on an as-needed basis.

This is a hands-on, independent role suited to someone who enjoys methodical work, takes pride in clean installations, and is comfortable working alone on a boat in a marina environment. The equipment list below is provided up front so you can judge the scope before applying.

Marine electricians, marine electronics technicians and boatyard electrical techs are all welcome to apply. If you have solid marine electrical fundamentals but have not worked with every component listed here, say so in your note — that is not a barrier.

Onboard Electrical Equipment. The whole system falls within the scope of the documentation project. In broad terms:

DC power. A lithium (LiFePO4) house bank with integrated battery management, an individual starter battery per engine charged by the respective alternator, and separate AGM banks dedicated to the thrusters.

AC power. Shore power, a Kohler marine generator, and a Victron inverter/charger with its remote-control panel — three sources feeding one AC distribution panel through a mix of automatic and manual transfer.

Thrusters. SideShift electric bow and stern thrusters with their own controllers, batteries and charging arrangement.

Marine electronics. A Raymarine suite — multifunction displays, autopilot, radar and sonar — networked over RayNet and NMEA 2000 (SeaTalkng), plus a standalone Standard Horizon VHF.

A full equipment register with models, ratings and part numbers is available on request, along with owner-prepared as-built notes that the successful candidate can use as a starting point.

Key Responsibilities

Phase 1 — Electrical system documentation.

• Survey and trace the complete onboard electrical system, both DC and AC — battery banks and charging circuits, distribution panels, bus bars, protection devices, shore power, generator and inverter, and the source transfer arrangements between them.
• Identify every circuit, conductor, terminal, protection device, switch and ground point; verify wire gauge and overcurrent protection against applicable standards.
• Produce a professional electrical schematic — single-line plus detailed wiring diagrams — delivered as editable source files and PDF.
• Document the marine electronics network and its power feeds.
• Record the inverter/charger configuration as found, and measure actual system loads to confirm the design is operating within its limits.
  
• Prepare an equipment register and a prioritized list of deficiencies with recommended corrective actions.
• Apply physical labels to wiring, panels and breakers in line with the schematic.

Phase 2 — Ongoing maintenance and upgrades

• Carry out small wiring changes and additions — new circuits, lighting, outlets, sensors or electronics, and upgrades to distribution components.
• Perform periodic inspection and preventive maintenance: connection integrity, corrosion, chafe, battery and charging performance, bonding and grounding continuity.
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults on request.
• Implement agreed improvements arising from the deficiency list.
• Keep the schematic and equipment register current after every change and advise on upgrades and code compliance.

Qualifications

• Solid marine electrical experience — as a certified electrician (Red Seal / BC Certificate of Qualification) with marine work behind you, an ABYC-certified marine electrical technician, a marine electronics technician, or someone with equivalent demonstrated experience on boats.
• Comfortable with both 12 V DC and 120 V AC systems on a vessel, including shore power, bonding and galvanic corrosion.
• Working familiarity with ABYC E-11 or the equivalent Transport Canada small-vessel standards, and a habit of building to them.
• Able to trace undocumented wiring methodically and produce a clear, accurate schematic that someone else can follow.
• Own hand tools, multimeter and marine-grade crimping and heat-shrink tooling. A DC clamp meter that reads a few hundred amps is useful.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada; able to get to Port Moody, BC and work independently on site.

Nice to have

• Experience with LiFePO4 house banks, particularly drop-in packs with internal BMS units, and how they are fused and paralleled.
• Experience configuring Victron equipment — MultiPlus inverter/chargers, VE.Configure, SmartShunt, GX devices and VRM. (If you have an MK3-USB interface, mention it; if not, one can be provided.)
• Current ABYC Marine Electrical certification.
• Experience with high-interrupt DC overcurrent protection (Class T and similar) on large battery banks.
• Raymarine, RayNet or NMEA 2000 / SeaTalkng network experience.
• Marine generator servicing (Kohler preferred) and AC transfer arrangements.
  
• Bow/stern thruster installations and their dedicated battery and charging circuits.
• Twin-engine electrical systems — starting circuits, alternators, gauges and senders.
• Comfort working in confined engine-room and bilge spaces on a small craft.

Working Conditions

Work is performed on board a moored vessel at Reed Point Marina; some tasks require working in tight spaces and at awkward angles.

Flexible scheduling — most work can be done on weekdays at times agreed with the owner; occasional short sea trials may be required to verify charging behaviour and electronics.

Contractor is expected to carry appropriate liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage.

Deliverables (Phase 1)

Complete electrical schematic package — system overview, DC distribution, AC distribution and source transfer, charging system, and electronics network diagrams — as editable source files plus PDF.

Equipment register and wire/circuit schedule.

Record of the inverter/charger configuration and measured system loads.

Deficiency report with prioritized recommendations and cost estimates.

Physical labelling of panels, breakers and key conductors.

Position: Marine Electrician (part-time / independent contractor)

Vessel: 1998 Silverton 322 flybridge cruiser, twin engines — 12 V DC house system and 120 V AC distribution.

Location: Reed Point Marina, Port Moody, BC — work performed on board; schematic drafting may be done off-site.

Engagement: Initial documentation project, followed by an ongoing as-needed maintenance arrangement.

Estimated hours: Approx. 40–60 hours for the documentation project, then 4–10 hours per month on call.

Compensation: $80–$100 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Start date: ASAP

Reports to: Vessel owner

How to Apply

Please provide a brief overview of your background in the Cover Letter section, along with proof of certification and, if available, an example of electrical documentation you have produced. If you do not have a formal portfolio, a description of comparable work you have completed is acceptable. Promising candidates will be invited to a short site visit at the marina to see the vessel and discuss the scope of work and rates.