Ship Engineers

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

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

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• 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.
• Fabricate engine replacement parts, such as valves, stay rods, or bolts, using metalworking machinery.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)