Engine Department

ENGINE DEPARTMENT

Chief Engineer
Second Engineer
Third Engineer
Fourth Engineer
Fifth engineer/Engine Cadet
Electrical officer
Oiler
Wiper


Chief Engineer

A maritime Chief Engineer is responsible for all operations and maintenance that has to do with any and all engineering equipment throughout the entire ship.
The Chief Engineer also determines the fuel, lube oil, and other consumables required for a voyage, required inventory for spare parts, oversees fuel, lube, and slop oil transfers, prepares the engine room for inspection by local marine/safety authorities (e.g. U.S. Coast Guard, Vetting inspection), oversees all major maintenance, is required to be in the engine room during manoeuvring operations, and is in charge of the engine room during emergency situations. Chief reports to company and update the Planned Maintenance system onboard .This is the short list of a Chief Engineer's duties aboard a merchant vessel.
The Chief's primary assistant, the First Assistant Engineer/Second Engineer, supervises the daily operation of the engine room and engine department and reports directly to the Chief.
Chief Engineer's Licenses are divided into different types for the various types of engine- and power-plant found on ships. These are commonly divided as Steam and Motor Ships. These categories are often further divided into various horsepower ranges. Obtaining a Chief Engineer's License for Unlimited Horsepower is, by far, the highest achievement a licensed engineering officer can reach on a merchant vessel. Sailing as Chief Engineer is an immense undertaking of great responsibility.


First Assistant Engineer/Second Engineer

A First Assistant Engineer (also called the Second Engineer in some countries) is a licensed member of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. This title is used for the person on a ship responsible for supervising the daily maintenance and operation of the engine department, maintains safety log. He or she reports directly to the Chief Engineer.
On a merchant vessel, depending on term usage, "The First" or "The Second" is the marine engineer second in command of the engine department after the ship's Chief Engineer. Due to the supervisory role this engineer plays, in addition to being responsible for the refrigeration systems, main engines (steam/gas turbine, diesel), and any other equipment not assigned to the Second Assistant Engineer/Third Engineer or the Third Assistant Engineer/Fourth Engineer(s), he is typically the busiest engineer aboard the ship. If the engine room requires 24/7 attendance and other junior engineers can cover the three watch rotations, The First is usually a "day worker" from 0800-1800.
The First Assistant/Second Engineer is usually in charge of preparing the engine room for arrival, departure, or standby and oversees major overhauls on critical equipment.


Second Assistant Engineer / Third Engineer

A Second Assistant Engineer or Third Engineer is a licensed member of the engineering department on a merchant vessel.
The Second Assistant is usually in charge of boilers, fuel, auxiliary engines, condensate and feed systems, and is the third most senior marine engineer on board. Depending on usage, "The Second" or "The Third" is also typically in charge of fuelling (a.k.a. bunkering), granted the officer holds a valid Person In Charge (PIC) endorsement for fuel transfer operations.
The exact duties of this position will often depend upon the type of ship and arrangement of the engine department. On ships with steam propulsion plants The Second/Third is in charge of the boilers, combustion control, soot blowers, condensate and feed equipment, feed pumps, fuel, and condensers. On diesel and gas turbine propulsion plants The Second is in charge of auxiliary boilers, auxiliary engines, incinerator, air compressors, fuel, and fuel oil purifiers.


Third Assistant Engineer/Fourth Engineer

The Third Assistant Engineer, also known as the Fourth Engineer, is a licensed member of the engineering department on a merchant vessel.
Generally the most junior marine engineer of the ship, this person is usually responsible for Air compressors, sewage treatment, lube oil, fuel oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Depending on usage, he or she is called "The Third" or "The Fourth" and usually stands a watch and sometimes assists the third mate in maintaining proper operation of the lifeboats.


Oiler/Motorman

An oiler is a worker whose main job is to oil machinery. Today most such positions have been eliminated through technological change; lubrication tends to require less human intervention, so that workers seldom have oiling as a principal duty.
On a merchant ship, an oiler is an unlicensed member of the engineering department. But are in possession of watch keeping certificate issued by DG Shipping .The position is one of the most junior crewmembers in the engine room of a ship. The oiler is senior only to a wiper.
As a member of the engineering department, the oiler operates and maintains the propulsion and assist engineers in maintenance job and in Watch in watch keeping ships. Oilers also deal with the "hotel" facilities onboard, notably the sewage, lighting, air conditioning and water systems. They assist bulk fuel transfers and require training in firefighting.


Wiper

A wiper is the most junior crewmember in the engine room of a ship. Their role consists of cleaning the engine spaces and machinery, and assisting the engineers as directed.