Duties and Responsibilities

of an Officer in Charge
of the
Engineering Watch
 STCW Code Section A-III/1 Chapter III
MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF AN
ENGINEERING WATCH IN A MANNED ENGINE-
ROOM OR DESIGNATED DUTY ENGINEERS IN A
PERIODICALLY UNMANNED ENGINE-ROOM

Training
.

The education and training required by paragraph 2.4

of regulation III/1 shall include training in mechanical
and electrical workshop skills relevant to the duties of
an engineer officer.
Onboard Training
2. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-
room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room of ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more whose seagoing service, in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of
regulation III/1, forms part of a training programme approved as meeting the requirements of this
section shall follow an approved programme of onboard training which:

.1 ensures that, during the required period of seagoing service, the candidate receives systematic
practical training and experience in the tasks, duties and responsibilities of an officer in charge of an
engine-room watch, taking into account the guidance given in section B-III/1 of this Code;

.2 is closely supervised and monitored by a qualified and certificated engineer officer aboard the
ships in which the approved seagoing service is performed; and

.3 is adequately documented in a training record book.

Onboard Training
2. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-
room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room of ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more whose seagoing service, in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of
regulation III/1, forms part of a training programme approved as meeting the requirements of this
section shall follow an approved programme of onboard training which:

.1 ensures that, during the required period of seagoing service, the candidate receives systematic
practical training and experience in the tasks, duties and responsibilities of an officer in charge of an
engine-room watch, taking into account the guidance given in section B-III/1 of this Code;

.2 is closely supervised and monitored by a qualified and certificated engineer officer aboard the
ships in which the approved seagoing service is performed; and

.3 is adequately documented in a training record book.

 Standard of Competence

3. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-
room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a seagoing ship
powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more shall be required to
demonstrate ability to undertake, at the operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed
in column 1 of table A-III/1.

4. The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required for certification is listed in
column 2 of table A-III/1.

5. The level of knowledge of the material listed in column 2 of table A-III/1 shall be sufficient for
engineer officers to carry out their watchkeeping duties.*

6. Training and experience to achieve the necessary theoretical knowledge, understanding and
proficiency shall be based on section A-VIII/2, part 4-2 Principles to be observed in keeping an
engineering watch, and shall take into account the relevant requirements of this part and the
guidance given in part B of this Code.
7. Candidates for certification for service in ships in which steam boilers do not
form part of their machinery may omit the relevant requirements of table A-III/1.
A certificate awarded on such a basis shall not be valid for service on ships in
which steam boilers form part of a ship’s machinery until the engineer officer
meets the standard of competence in the items omitted from table A-III/1. Any
such limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.

8. The Administration may omit knowledge requirements for types of propulsion

machinery other than those machinery installations for which the certificate to be
awarded shall be valid. A certificate awarded on such a basis shall not be valid for
any category of machinery installation which has been omitted until the engineer
officer proves to be competent in these knowledge requirements. Any such
limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.

9. Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having

achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods
for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence
tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of table A-III/1.
Near-Coastal Voyages

10. The requirements of paragraphs 2.2 to 2.5 of regulation III/1 relating to level of
knowledge, understanding and proficiency required under the different sections
listed in column 2 of table A-III/1 may be varied for engineer officers of ships
powered by main propulsion machinery of less than 3,000 kW propulsion power
engaged on near-coastal voyages, as considered necessary, bearing in mind the
effect on the safety of all ships which may be operating in the same waters. Any
such limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.
 GUIDANCE REGARDING THE CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS
STCW Section B-III/1 IN CHARGE OF AN ENGINEERING WATCH IN A MANNED
of Chapter III ENGINE-ROOM OR AS DESIGNATED DUTY ENGINEERS IN A
PERIODICALLY UNMANNED ENGINE-ROOM

1. In table A-III/1, the tools referred to should include hand tools, common
measuring equipment, centre lathes, drilling machines, welding equipment and
milling machines as appropriate.

2. Training in workshop skills ashore can be carried out in a training institution

or approved workshop.

3. Onboard training should be adequately documented in the training record

book by qualified assessors.
 MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION OF
STCW OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF AN ENGINEERING WATCH IN A MANNED
Regulation III/1 ENGINE-ROOM OR DESIGNATED DUTY ENGINEERS IN A
of Chapter III PERIODICALLY UNMANNED ENGINE-ROOM

1. Every officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or

designated duty engineer officer in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a
seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion
power or more shall hold a certificate of competency.
 1. be not less than 18 years of age;

2. have completed combined workshop skills training and an approved seagoing

service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme
which includes onboard training that meets the requirements of section A-III/1 of
the STCW Code and is documented in an approved training record book, or
2. Every otherwise have completed combined workshop skills training and an approved

candidate for seagoing service of not less than 36 months of which not less than 30 months shall
be seagoing service in the engine department;
certification 3 .have performed, during the required seagoing service, engine-room
shall: watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the chief engineer officer or a
qualified engineer officer for a period of not less than six months;

4. have completed approved education and training and meet the standard of
competence specified in section A-III/1 of the STCW Code; and

5. meet the standard of competence specified in section A-VI/1, paragraph 2,

section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4, section A-VI/3, paragraphs 1 to 4 and section A-
VI/4, paragraphs 1 to 3 of the STCW Code.
 ESCAPE ROUTES
• Familiarize all exits and emergency exits.
Ref. Life saving and Fire Control Plan.

• Familiarize all emergency escape routes. Try to draw a map in

your mind by counting steps from door to door and corner to
corner.

• Memorize where signs are placed on a door, in relation to door

opening devices.
 HANDING OVER WATCH
• Special orders related to any ship operation, control system, or maintenance work.
The following • Standing orders from the chief engineer or the company
things need
• Level of important tanks such as bilges, ballast tank, sewage tank, reserve tank, slop
to be tank, fuel tank, or any other tank which requires attention
informed to
• Condition and state of fire extinguishing equipment and systems, in case any specific
the relieving section or fire alarm has been isolated
officer:
• Special mode of operation in case of emergency situation, damage, icy, or shallow
water etc

• In case there is any kind of maintenance work being carried out in the engine room
by other engineer officer and crew members, then their work location, details of
machinery under maintenance, and information of authorized person and crew
members should be provided. Any potential hazard because of the ongoing
maintenance work should also be informed.
 HANDING OVER WATCH
• In case there is an equipment failure, details of the same should be informed.
The following
• All the checks already made when the ship leaves the port should be noted. In case
things need any check is pending, it should be conveyed to the reliving officer.
to be
• All the checks that are made when the ship enters the port should be noted and
informed to informed in case any is missing.
the relieving
•
officer: Condition and important information regarding mode of operation of main engine,
boiler, and auxiliary engines should be informed.

• In case an equipment needs to be monitored manually, details of the same should be

provided, along with the condition of monitoring and control equipment

• Any form of adverse ship condition needs to be informed

 HANDING OVER WATCH

The following • IInformation on the condition and modes of all the important auxiliary machinery
things need such as purifiers, fresh water generator, oily water separator, pumps, sewage
treatment plant, etc. should be provided.
to be
informed to • In case any important machinery failed to receive attention during the watch, the
reliving officer should be reported and asked to take care of the same.
the relieving
officer: • The condition and modes of automatic boiler controls and details of other
equipment related to the operation of the steam boiler should be provided.

• The engineer officer should ensure that all the important parameters regarding main
and auxiliary machines are suitably recorded in the engine room log book.
 PERFORMING ENGINEERING WATCH
1. Knowledge is the Base
• you must know the basics of the machines and their operations, new trends and upcoming technologies, and
maritime regulations along with their amendments.

2. Follow Your Instincts

• It is commonly said on ships that in order to become a good watchkeeper, an engineer must use all the 6 senses- i.e.
touch, hearing, smell, visuals, taste and kinaesthetic senses (6th Sense).

3. Go By The Book
• Every Engine room is provided with hundreds of documents – Manuals, operating instruction, and safety and
pollution prevention etc. Follow them religiously during your watchkeeping procedures.

4. Interpreting logbook
• A smart engineer would know the importance of engine room logbook and would also know how to interpret
previous readings of different machines from the same.

5. Clear Communication
• Efficient communication between maritime professionals is an important factor for a safe and efficient operation
onboard. If you are a watchkeeper, you must clearly communicate all kinds of operations and problems/ suspicions
with your seniors and crew members.
 PERFORMING ENGINEERING WATCH
6. Take a Complete Round, Don’t Skip Any Machinery
• Automation and alarm systems of machines are always helpful in detecting early-stage faults; however, it is a known
fact that human vigilance is more capable of detecting and interpreting errors more accurately.

7. Never Neglect Any Alarm

Alarm systems in the engine room are an indication or pre-warning of any abnormality in the engine room machines.
Sometimes due to a technical glitch such as connection or electronic fault, an alarm would become faulty and give out
audio and visual warnings after every few minutes.

8. Do Not Hide Faults

• If you see any kind of fault while taking rounds or have committed a mistake, never try to hide it. Remember that
even the smallest fault can become dangerous if unattended at the correct time. Always report the incident to your
superiors and try to remove or repair the fault as soon as possible.

9. Call for Help When in Need

• In an engine room having hundreds of machines, faults are bound to happen. Sometimes you may feel that the fault
is big and a single person won’t be able to handle it alone. In such situations, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Ship
operation is all about teamwork and you should respect that and know its importance.
 PERFORMING ENGINEERING WATCH
10. Obey Orders
• A good watch keeper must follow eligible orders from seniors, who have better experience and understanding of
machines. However, a smart watchkeeper should also use his/her own judgement when the need arises. Take inputs
and advice from your seniors, but be confident while carrying out your duties.

11. Follow Alcohol Policy

• Never ever commence or carry out your watch under the influence of alcohol, as it may interfere with your decision-
making abilities. Always follow your company alcohol policy. In case you are under influence of alcohol, don’t be
ashamed to inform your seniors.

12. Avoid Fatigue:

• Fatigue is the biggest reason behind human mistakes on a ship. Always take proper rest in your free time and avoid
working when tired. Though this is tough to follow most of the time, ask your seniors for a brief break so that you can
freshen up and get back to work with more energy and enthusiasm.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING ARRIVAL
1. Inform chief engineer and other necessary personnel regarding the
‘Things that are arrival.
to be done by 2. Prepare the main engine and auxilliary machineries.
the Duty • Start additional generator in parallel.
Engineer on • Checking should be done in all running machineries.
Receiving One • Start all necessary machineries needed for arrival.
3. Once everything ready inform the bridge that the engine is ready
hour notice
for arrival.
from the 4. Take a round and check of all running machineries.
Bridge: • Note: Since we are in an arrival condition the engine condition
varies from time to time.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING ARRIVAL
1. When finished with engine is given from bridge change over from
‘Things to do bridge control to engine room control.
After the Ship 2. Secure all necessary equipments to be secured.
Has Arrived at • Close main air starting valve.
• Open indicator cock and turbocharger drain valve.
the Port:
• Engage turning gear and turn engine for 10 minutes.
• Open vent for exhaust gas boiler.
• Stop all unecessary pumps.
• Open heating for jacket water of main engine.
• Ask the bdeck department if they are going to use additional
generators or not.
3. Inform the bridge that the engine is already secured.
4. Take round of the engine room.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING DEPATURE

Things to do 1. Inform all necessary personnel for departure.

2. Ready the main engine and other machineries.
at 1 hour
3. Take a round in t he engine room and check parameters of the
notice period: running machinery.
4. Inform your superior that the engine is ready for testing.
5. Once testing is done, wait for the Bridge's advice for departure.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING DEPATURE

Checks made 1. Engine room round is taken again.

2. Check for any abnormality.
when the
3. Check all the parameters of the main engine like temperature of
engine is exhaust valve, jacket water etc.
running:
Note: Since the engine's condition varies from time to time it is
essential to check and take rounds more frequent.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING DEPATURE

Checks made 1. Once departed, ask the bridge if you can stop the additional
generator.
when ship is
2. Stop or start necessary machineries.
full away: 3. Take rounds and check parameters of machineries.
 UNMANNED ENGINE SYSTEMS
The main engine is on bridge Control
Duty Engineer The conditions of the bilges were checked.
must ensure All stand by machinery is on stand by position and auto-start..
Check that Emergency DG is on stand-by position.
that: Check that Stand-by DG is on auto-start.
Check whether all watertight and weather doors/openings are closed.
Check cabin / public rooms alarms prior to the engine room being unmanned.
Check that all flammable liquids are in sealed canisters.
Check that all oil spills etc have been cleaned up.
Check that all waste, rags and other cleaning materials are stowed away.
Check that all Engine Room gear, spare parts etc are properly secured.
Check that all alarms are active.
Check that all fire detection sensors are active.
Check that all fire doors are closed.
Inform bridge and confirm UMS before leaving E/R

Test the “Deadman” alarm and Engineer’s Call Alarms, ensuring they are sounding in
public rooms, Bridge, Cargo Offices and appropriate cabins.
Always do a routine check on the designated approved time.
 ESCAPE ROUTES
• Familiarize all exits and emergency exits.
Ref. Life saving and Fire Control Plan.

• Familiarize all emergency escape routes. Try to draw a map in

your mind by counting steps from door to door and corner to
corner.

• Memorize where signs are placed on a door, in relation to door

opening devices.
 ENGINE WATCH DURING BUNKERING
• 2nd Engineer / 1st Engineer
• Oversee. Head of the hose connection team. Station near the bunkering maninfold.
•3rd Engineer / 2nd Engineer
• To take sounding on the delivery barge before bunkering. Head of the sounding
team.
• 4th Engineer / 3rd Engineer
• Incharge of opening and closing of all valves leadin to the tanl to be replenish.
Ensure the all SOPEP Equipments are in good condition.
Engine Watch (Ratings)

• To prepare all oil pollution equipment

• Member of sounding team
• Assist as required
• Note: The designated ratings engine watch must stay in the engine room.