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Engineering ServicesISCO 3151

Ship assistant engineer

A ship assistant engineer is a person who assists the engineer officer and the watchkeeping engineer in the work of a ship's engine department.

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Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate diesel propulsion plants

manage vessel engines and systems

prepare lifeboats

moor vessels

operate vessel engine room

About ship assistant engineer

The assistant engineer supports the running of the main engines, the steering gear, the generation of electrical power and the other essential subsystems, prepares the engine room for operation, operates the diesel propulsion plant, and manages the electrical systems on board. The assistant engineer carries out routine lubricating oil tests, which allow wear in an engine to be detected early, and gives support across the machinery systems installed in the vessel.

The assistant engineer applies mechanical engineering principles.

The assistant engineer communicates with the ship's engineers about the technical work being carried out. Compliance with the relevant safety standards and regulations is ensured, and the assistant engineer uses the different types of fire extinguisher in case of fire. Unmooring the vessel is among the duties. Where needed, the assistant engineer may take on a higher position in the engine department. Certificates of competency are set by national maritime rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (26)

operation of different enginesoperation of different enginesThe characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.electrical systems used in transportationelectrical systems used in transportationThe functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.regulation on the discharge of raw materials into the searegulation on the discharge of raw materials into the seaThe environmental regulations for the discharge of raw materials into the sea, including the use of chemical disinfection and dechlorination to produce a clean and safe effluent suitable for dischargi...Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety SystemThe internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.engine componentsengine componentsThe different engine components, their operation, lifecycle and maintenance and repairing needs.operate diesel propulsion plantsoperate diesel propulsion plantsOperate diesel and gas turbine propulsion plants including related machinery, such as auxiliary boilers, auxiliary engines, incinerators, air compressors, fuel and fuel oil purifiers.manage vessel engines and systemsmanage vessel engines and systemsManage main engines (steam, gas or diesel), refrigeration systems, and any other equipment in the vessel's engine system.prepare lifeboatsprepare lifeboatsPrepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.moor vesselsmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.operate vessel engine roomoperate vessel engine roomOperate and maintain the engine room of vessels. Operate the main engine room where the engine and propulsion machinery are located.operate sewage treatment plans on shipsoperate sewage treatment plans on shipsOperate sewage treatment plants in ships, oversee plant maintenance, understand the mechanical functioning of the machine and comply with regulatory mandates of materials discharge to the sea.perform routine maintenance of ship enginesperform routine maintenance of ship enginesPerform routine maintenance tasks on all ship engine systems. Monitor engines to ensure they function within standard operating parameters.provide support in vessel machinery systemsprovide support in vessel machinery systemsProvide support based on knowledge of maritime operations, vessel assurance, and machinery systems.repair vessel mechanical systemsrepair vessel mechanical systemsRepair mechanical systems of vessels while on-board. Ensure that vessel malfunctions are repaired without affecting the voyage in progress.prepare engine room for operationprepare engine room for operationPrepare and start main engine and auxiliary engines; prepare machinery in engine room prior to departure; know and follow starting procedures according to checklist.manage ship electrical systemsmanage ship electrical systemsOperate and maintain the electrical components of ships and the electrical distribution system. Know the various load circuits in case of system malfunction. Repair electrical systems in the event of ...maintain vessel inventorymaintain vessel inventoryKeep an up-to-date inventory for a vessel, including information on spare components, oil and fuel. Determine the amount of fuel that will be needed for a voyage; ensure that sufficient amounts of fue...use different types of fire extinguishersuse different types of fire extinguishersUnderstand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.perform bunkeringperform bunkeringPerform bunkering, the process of supplying fuels to ships for their own use. Ensure sufficient amounts of fuel for the duration of the journeys.unmoor vesselsunmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.maintain vessel engine roommaintain vessel engine roomMaintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.perform routine lube oil testsperform routine lube oil testsConduct routine tests of lubrication oils in engineering systems and water separation systems.operate fire extinguishersoperate fire extinguishersUnderstand the operation of fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing techniques.manage on-board water systemsmanage on-board water systemsOperate and maintain on-board water-cooled engineering systems.
Optional (7) — show
International Maritime Organisation conventionsInternational Maritime Organisation conventionsThe fundamental principles and requirements laid in the different conventions issued by the International Maritime Organisation.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.apply vessel engine regulationsapply vessel engine regulationsUnderstand the regulations regarding the vessel engines and apply those regulations in engine maintenance and operation.advise on maritime regulationsadvise on maritime regulationsProvide information and advice on maritime laws, vessel registration, and safety regulations.detect malfunctions in enginesdetect malfunctions in enginesDetect and effectively respond to machinery malfunctions. Take actions in order to prevent material damage. Practice damage control.stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologystay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologyGather information about the current trends in maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making whil...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

ship duty engineer14 shared essential skillsengine minder9 shared essential skillsmarine chief engineer8 shared essential skillsmarine mechanic7 shared essential skillsordinary seaman6 shared essential skillssailor6 shared essential skillsdecksman5 shared essential skillsmatrose5 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a ship assistant engineer do?

Ship assistant engineers assist the ship chief engineer and the ship duty engineer in the operations of the ship's hull. They support the operation of the main engines, steering mechanism, electrical generation and other major subsystems. They communicate with maritime engineers about the performance of technical operations. They also ensure appropriate safety and regulatory standards compliance and are able to take on higher level positions if needed.

What skills does a ship assistant engineer need?

A ship assistant engineer needs 26 essential skills, including operation of different engines, electrical systems used in transportation, principles of mechanical engineering, regulation on the discharge of raw materials into the sea, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

Will AI replace ship assistant engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for ship assistant engineer is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: regulation on the discharge of raw materials into the sea, engine components, maintain vessel inventory. Most resilient: act reliably, use different types of fire extinguishers, moor vessels.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills26

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