Seafarers Recruitment
Engine Department Jobs
The engine department runs and maintains the main engine, generators, boilers, pumps and electrical plant. Engineer officers hold STCW Chapter III certificates: Reg. III/1 for watchkeeping engineers, Reg. III/2 for chief and second engineer on ships of 3,000 kW or more (Reg. III/3 for 750 to 3,000 kW), and Reg. III/6 for the ETO. Engine ratings hold RFPEW (Reg. III/4) and Able Seafarer Engine (Reg. III/5).
Ranks
- Chief Engineer: The chief engineer is the head of the engine department and responsible for all machinery on board: main engine, generators, boilers, steering gear, pumps, purifiers and the electrical plant.
- Second Engineer: The second engineer runs the engine room day to day under the chief engineer.
- Third Engineer: The third engineer is an operational-level engineer officer who keeps engine-room watches or, on unmanned machinery spaces (UMS), duty days.
- Fourth Engineer: The fourth engineer is the most junior engineer officer.
- Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): The ETO is responsible for the electrical, electronic and control systems on board: main switchboard and generators, electric motors and starters, alarm and monitoring systems, automation, navigation and communication electronics, and on many ships the reefer container plugs and cranes.
- Fitter: The fitter is the skilled engine rating for metal work.
- Motorman: The motorman is a skilled engine rating who helps the engineers keep the machinery running: rounds and readings, cleaning and changing filters, purifier cleaning, transfer of fuel and lube oil, and maintenance on pumps, compressors and generators.
- Oiler: The oiler is an engine rating who keeps engine-room watches with the engineer officer, makes rounds and records temperatures, pressures and tank levels, checks lubrication of machinery and reports leaks or abnormal conditions.
- Wiper: The wiper is the entry-level engine rating.
Career path
A typical route is engine cadet, fourth engineer, third engineer, second engineer, chief engineer. Ratings move from wiper to oiler or motorman and fitter. Electricians can start as Electro-Technical Rating (STCW Reg. III/7) and qualify as ETO (Reg. III/6).
Engine cadets are listed on the cadet jobs page.
Jobs by ship type
- Bulk carriers
- Oil and chemical tankers
- Container ships
- LNG and LPG carriers
- Offshore vessels
- Passenger ships and ferries
- General cargo and multipurpose ships
- Tugs and offshore supply vessels
Jobs by rank and ship type
- Chief Engineer Jobs on Tankers
- Second Engineer Jobs on Tankers
- Chief Engineer Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Second Engineer Jobs on Bulk Carriers
- Chief Engineer Jobs on Container Ships
- Second Engineer Jobs on Container Ships
- ETO Jobs on Container Ships
- Chief Engineer Jobs on LNG and LPG Carriers
- Second Engineer Jobs on LNG and LPG Carriers
- ETO Jobs on LNG and LPG Carriers
- Chief Engineer Jobs on Offshore Vessels
- ETO Jobs on Cruise Ships and Ferries
- Chief Engineer Jobs on Yachts
How to apply
All posts on this page are open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. Create a free seafarer account, complete your CV once and apply to the rank you hold. Employers can then find your profile when a vacancy opens.
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Other departments
Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.