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{{short description|Organizational unit aboard a ship}}
{{morefootnotes|date=January 2011}}
{{More footnotes|date=July 2012}}
] ] on the ''Argonaute''.]]
An '''engine department''' or '''engineering department''' is an organizational unit aboard a ] that is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the ] systems and the support systems for crew, passengers, and cargo.<ref>Wise Geek: </ref>
These include the ], ], ], ] ], ], ], ], and ].


The engine department emerged with the arrival of marine engines for propulsion, largely during the later half of the 19th century. Due to advances in marine technology during the 20th century, the engine department aboard ]s is considered equally important as the ], since trained engine officers are required to handle the machinery on a ship.{{cn|date=July 2012}}
In maritime transportation, the '''engine department''' or '''engineering department''' is an organizational unit aboard a ship that is responsible for the operating the propulsion systems and the support systems for crew, passengers and cargo.<ref>http://www.strath.ac.uk/na-me/undergraduatestudies/navalarchitecturemarineengineeringundergraduate/</ref>{{full}} This work is carried out by marine engineering officers who, in the ], usually train via cadet ships sponsored by a variety of maritime organizations. Marine engineering cadets from most countries are sponsored during training by a shipping company, serving their time on board ships owned by that company. Many go on to work as Engineering Officers with their sponsoring company once training is complete.


The engine department takes care of the engine room aboard a ship. Rotations vary depending on the vessel or company. Whoever is on a rotation has to stand watch to look over the engine and its components. There are different crew members for watch rotation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=STCW engineering watchkeeping principles|url=https://weh.maritime.edu/stcw/2018/content/principles.html#:~:text=The%20officer%20in%20charge%20of%20the%20engineering%20watch%20is%20the,testing,%20as%20required,%20of%20all|access-date=2021-05-15|website=weh.maritime.edu}}</ref>
Marine engineering officers are responsible for propulsion and other systems such as: ]; ]; ]; ]; ] ] and ]; ]; ]; and ] systems on board the vessel. They require knowledge and hands-on experience with ], ], ], ], ], ] generation, ] and even ] on certain military and civilian vessels.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}
]
]
Typically, a ship's engine department is run by the ]s but staffed with other occupational specialties of the seafarer's trade like:
⚫ *Machinist/Fitter: A rating (or petty officer) who is specialized in fabrication, welding, etc.
⚫ *Motorman: A, not always, qualified engine rating who stands a watch with the engine officer, as well as performing routine tasks and assisting engine officers during maintenance.
⚫ *]: A rating who is responsible for ensuring that machinery is adequately lubricated. Performs menial tasks such as cleaning, sounding tanks etc.
⚫ *]: The lowest rating in the engine room and is tasked with keeping the machinery spaces clean and tidy. Wipers usually go on to become oilers once they are familiar with engine room machinery and specific routines.


In order to be a ] and have the license for it, there are 3 basic requirements and they are age, seagoing service, and education/training on ]'s. <ref>{{Cite web|last=|title=What are the STCW Requirements for Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (OICEW)?|url=https://www.edumaritime.net/stcw/general-requirements-for-oicew|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.edumaritime.net|language=en-us}}</ref> Some basic USCG stcw requirements go further into seagoing service, approved trainings such as; engine resource management, gas/steam turbine plants, control systems, etc., and finally the competencies which include "Evidence of Standard of competence".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Edumaritime|title=USCG OICEW STCW Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential|url=https://www.edumaritime.net/uscg-mmc/uscg-requirements-for-oicew-stcw-endorsement|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.edumaritime.net|language=en-us}}</ref>
Marine engineer officers emerged with the arrival of marine engines for propulsion, largely during the latter half of the 19th century. It is only during the twentieth century that they have gained recognition as highly trained and responsible individuals. Nowadays, engineering officers are regarded as the equals of their counterparts on deck.


Defunct positions within the engine department include the ], who was a rating responsible for shoveling coal into the boiler furnaces of ]s, and the ], a rating that loaded coal in the bunkers and transported the coal from the bunkers to the firemen.


Nowadays due to the increase in ] on merchant vessels and the increase in the unattended machinery spaces (UMS) aboard them, the number of seafaring engine officers has decreased drastically on board merchant ships. Today, the engine department usually consists of the following number of engine officers and ratings:{{cn|date=July 2012}}
Engine Department Ranks (typical for a British Merchant Vessel - US equivalents in italics):


* (1) ]
* Chief Engineer: In charge of the engine department. Reports only to the Master. Sometimes considered the equal of the ], the Chief Engineer's training, responsibility and rank are all superior to those required for a Chief Mate. <br />
* (1) ]
* (1) ]
* (1-2) ]
* (0-1) ]
* (2-4) ]
* (0-2) ]
* (0-1) ]


Additionally, many vessels also carry a specific type of engine officer known as an ].
* Second Engineer ''1st Assistant Engineer'': In charge of the day-to-day running of the engine department. Often in charge of main engine maintenance. Takes the 4-8 watch. <br />
* Third Engineer ''2nd Assistant Engineer'': Usually in charge of boilers and auxiliary engines. Takes the 12-4 watch. <br />
* Fourth Engineer ''3rd Assistant Engineer'': Usually in charge of air compressors, purifiers and other auxiliary machinery. Takes the 8-12 watch. <br />

* Junior Engineer: No official responsibilities - this rank is reserved for those who are qualified as Fourth Engineers but lack the experience necessary to take a watch. <br />

* Cadet: A trainee officer. Understudies the other engine department personnel. <br />
<br />
⚫ *Machinist/Fitter: A rating (or petty officer) who is specialised in fabrication, welding, etc. <br />
⚫ *Motorman: A qualified engine rating who stands a watch with the Engineer Officer, as well as performing menial tasks and assisting Engineering Officers during maintenance. <br />

⚫ *Oiler: A rating who is responsible for ensuring that machinery is adequately lubricated. Performs menial tasks such as cleaning, sounding tanks etc. <br />

⚫ *Wiper: The lowest rating in the engine room and is tasked with keeping the machinery spaces clean and tidy. Wipers usually go on to become oilers once they are familiar with engine room machinery and specific routines. <br />
<br />
*ETO: Officer who is responsible for the maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment.<br />

*Electrical Officer: Officer who is responsible for the maintenance of electrical equipment, but not electronic equipment such as radars, VHF etc. <br />
*Stoker: Now defunct, the stoker was an engine department rating with responsibility for shovelling coal into the boiler furnaces. <br /><br />

The oldest surviving marine engine was designed by ] in 1788. The ship ']' first demonstrated the superiority of the steam-turbine engine, which is still used for marine propulsion today in some niche applications.
In America, the University of Michigan's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering can be tracked to an 1879 act of Congress, which authorized the U.S. Navy to assign a few officers to engineering training establishments around the country. ] was the first lecturer in the department.<ref></ref>{{full}}


== See also == == See also ==
{{Portal|Nautical}} {{Portal|Transport}}
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]


==References== ==References==


{{No footnotes|date=November 2008}} {{More footnotes|date=November 2008}}
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{Merchant Marine Billets}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Engine department}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Engine department}}
] ]
] ]
] ]

]
]
]

Latest revision as of 07:25, 27 September 2023

Organizational unit aboard a ship
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
The engine control room on the Argonaute.

An engine department or engineering department is an organizational unit aboard a ship that is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the propulsion systems and the support systems for crew, passengers, and cargo. These include the ship engine, fuel oil, lubrication, water distillation, separation process, lighting, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

The engine department emerged with the arrival of marine engines for propulsion, largely during the later half of the 19th century. Due to advances in marine technology during the 20th century, the engine department aboard merchant ships is considered equally important as the deck department, since trained engine officers are required to handle the machinery on a ship.

The engine department takes care of the engine room aboard a ship. Rotations vary depending on the vessel or company. Whoever is on a rotation has to stand watch to look over the engine and its components. There are different crew members for watch rotation.

Watch Standing Mate
Watch officer (chief engineer) working

Typically, a ship's engine department is run by the engine officers but staffed with other occupational specialties of the seafarer's trade like:

  • Machinist/Fitter: A rating (or petty officer) who is specialized in fabrication, welding, etc.
  • Motorman: A, not always, qualified engine rating who stands a watch with the engine officer, as well as performing routine tasks and assisting engine officers during maintenance.
  • Oiler: A rating who is responsible for ensuring that machinery is adequately lubricated. Performs menial tasks such as cleaning, sounding tanks etc.
  • Wiper: The lowest rating in the engine room and is tasked with keeping the machinery spaces clean and tidy. Wipers usually go on to become oilers once they are familiar with engine room machinery and specific routines.

In order to be a watch officer and have the license for it, there are 3 basic requirements and they are age, seagoing service, and education/training on stcw's. Some basic USCG stcw requirements go further into seagoing service, approved trainings such as; engine resource management, gas/steam turbine plants, control systems, etc., and finally the competencies which include "Evidence of Standard of competence".

Defunct positions within the engine department include the fireman, who was a rating responsible for shoveling coal into the boiler furnaces of steam engines, and the coal trimmer, a rating that loaded coal in the bunkers and transported the coal from the bunkers to the firemen.

Nowadays due to the increase in automation on merchant vessels and the increase in the unattended machinery spaces (UMS) aboard them, the number of seafaring engine officers has decreased drastically on board merchant ships. Today, the engine department usually consists of the following number of engine officers and ratings:

Additionally, many vessels also carry a specific type of engine officer known as an electro-technical officer.

See also

References

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
  1. Wise Geek: What is the Engine Department on a US Merchant Ship?
  2. "STCW engineering watchkeeping principles". weh.maritime.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
  3. "What are the STCW Requirements for Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (OICEW)?". www.edumaritime.net. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  4. Edumaritime. "USCG OICEW STCW Requirements - Merchant Mariner Credential". www.edumaritime.net. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
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