Ship's Engineers

Tasks and Duties

• Fabricate engine replacement parts such as valves, stay rods, and bolts, using metalworking machinery.
• Install engine controls, propeller shafts, and propellers.
• Maintain and repair engines, electric motors, pumps, winches and other mechanical and electrical equipment, or assist other crew members with maintenance and repair duties.
• Maintain electrical power, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, water, and sewerage systems.
• Monitor and test operations of engines and other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
• Monitor engine, machinery, and equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
• Perform general marine vessel maintenance and repair work such as repairing leaks, finishing interiors, refueling, and maintaining decks.
• Start engines to propel ships, and regulate engines and power transmissions to control speeds of ships, according to directions from captains or bridge computers.
• Supervise the activities of marine engine technicians engaged in the maintenance and repair of mechanical and electrical marine vessels, and inspect their work to ensure that it is performed properly.
• Act as a liaison between a ship's captain and shore personnel to ensure that schedules and budgets are maintained and that the ship is operated safely and efficiently.
• Clean engine parts, and keep engine rooms clean.
• Maintain complete records of engineering department activities, including machine operations.
• Monitor the availability, use, and condition of lifesaving equipment and pollution preventatives, in order to ensure that international regulations are followed.
• Operate and maintain off-loading liquid pumps and valves.
• Order and receive engine room's stores such as oil and spare parts; maintain inventories and record usage of supplies.
• Perform and participate in emergency drills as required.
• Record orders for changes in ship speed and direction, and note gauge readings and test data, such as revolutions per minute and voltage output, in engineering logs and bellbooks.

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