Careers in Compliance: working at sea

Marine Engineer

Marine Engineers ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the ship’s mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical equipment onboard, including carrying out repairs, inspections and maintenance propulsion systems, refrigeration machinery, desk machinery and passenger systems. The Engineering Department is headed up by a Chief Engineer who supervises the work of the engine room and is assisted by a team Second and Third Engineers.

Qualifications/skills required

Engineering Officers are required to undertake training involving college time and sea time to work towards an Engineering Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competence. They are also required to complete basic safety training courses covering:

• Personal Survival Techniques
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• Elementary First Aid
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities and security duties

They must hold an ENG1 seafarer’s medical certificate. Additionally, they require Medical First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting and CPSC & RB (Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats) and Security Duties. Many of these basic courses are required to be updated throughout the officer’s seagoing career. Like Deck Officers, Engineering Officers qualifications are usually part of a 3 year training programme, known as a cadetship, where the cadet will complete an academic qualification alongside vocational courses and sea time. On successful completion of a cadetship, the engineering officer must spend further time at sea an return to take further examinations towards their Second Officer Certificate of Competency and then Chief Engineer Certificate Of Competency. This entire process usually takes about 10 years.