Engine Room Department

THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT

The Chief Engineer, or Chief Engineering Officer, is in charge of the Engine Department. He is responsible for all technical operations of the vessel, including engineering, electrical and mechanical units. In particular, he is responsible for all the propulsion machinery, power generating equipment and auxiliaries. He has to keep documents on the machinery working as well as all the repairs carried out on the vessel. He also logs fuel oil consumption. A varying number of officers, petty officers and ratings assist the chief engineer. The engine officers’ hierarchy goes as follows:

1. The First Engineer. He is responsible for maintenance and operations of the engineering and technical units.
2. The Second Engineer. His responsibilities usually include the maintenance of lubricating systems, engine room auxiliaries, and electrical equipment.
3. The Third Engineer. He is usually responsible for fuel and water systems. He also supervises tanks soundings and monitors the boiler room equipment.
4. The Fourth Engineer. His responsibilities may include, for instance, the operation and maintenance of engine room auxiliaries.
5. The Motorman – His duties are defined by the head of the engine department and can include, for example, the daily maintenance and cleaning of specific engine parts.

The propulsion plant department can also include some petty officers, such as the donkey man and the storekeeper and, if the ship is a tanker, there may also be the pump man. The first one mentioned attends a donkey, auxiliary boiler, especiallyship including elevators and winches, general cleaning and painting of the engine room, trash pick up, tools and instruments pick up and cleaning. Requirements: previous work experience in a related field and willingness to train. Basic command of the English language required. Possibilities for promotion from Wiper / Engine Utility Man to Oiler rating position.

Plumber (responsible for the maintenance and repair of all plumbing). Experience with minimum one to two years on board ships required. Basic English Language skills required.

Fireman (responsible for safety and firefighting on board the ship). Fire fighting certificate and basic English Language skills required.when the ship is in port. A storekeeper is in charge of all the spare parts and equipment stored for the engine room. The last one, a pump man, is employed to maintain and operate cargo pumps.

The engine room ratings, e.g. fire-fighters, greasers are usually employed on watches to assist the engineer in charge.

Motorman (responsible for the daily maintenance and cleaning of specific engine parts as directed by the Chief Engineer). Experience with minimum one to two years on board ships required. Diploma from accredited maritime training school or facility and good English Language skills required.

Fitter (responsible for the daily maintenance and cleaning of engines and mechanical equipment as directed by the Chief Engineer). Experience with minimum one to two years on board ships required. Diploma from accredited maritime training school or facility and basic English Language skills required.

Oiler - Oiler is an engine department rating position. The job of an Oiler onboard is to assist ship engineers lubricating bearings and other moving parts of engines and other mechanical equipment aboard the cruise ship. The oiler participates in the general maintenance of ship’s main power plant, auxiliary engines and generators in order to ensure that oil temperature is within the standard limits and oil gauges are all working properly. Requirements: previous work experience in a related field and willingness to train. Basic command of the English language required. Possibilities for promotion from Oiler to Fitter rating position.

Adapted from: MARENG software