The chief engineer — "chief" in the engine room, "C/E" on the crew list — heads the engine department and answers for every machine on board: the main engine, the generators, the boilers, the pumps, the steering gear, the fuel and everything that keeps the ship moving and alive. On deck the master commands; below, the chief engineer decides. This guide covers what the job involves, a typical day, the differences by vessel type, the certificate, the interview and the road from second engineer.
What the chief engineer does
- Responsibility for all machinery. Safe and economical operation of the propulsion plant, power generation, auxiliary systems and the emergency equipment.
- Planned maintenance. The company's planned maintenance system, overhauls, class surveys and the condition of every machine — the chief engineer signs off the work and reports to the technical superintendent.
- Fuel and lubricants. Bunkering plans and procedures, fuel quality and samples, consumption reports, and compliance with MARPOL: the oil record book, the oily water separator (15 ppm), and the sulphur limits of Annex VI — 0.50% at sea in general and 0.10% in emission control areas.
- Spares and budget. Orders for spare parts and stores, often within a budget agreed with the office.
- The engine team. The second, third and fourth engineers, the ETO, fitters, oilers and wipers: who does what, training, work and rest hours.
- Safety. Engine-room fire risks, the emergency generator and fire pump, enclosed spaces and hot work, and the engine team's roles in drills.
- Inspections. Port state control, flag, class and — on tankers — vetting look hard at the engine room; the chief engineer is the person who answers.
A typical day
- Morning: a round of the engine room, the log and the alarms of the night, then a meeting with the second engineer about the day's jobs. On many ships also a short meeting with the master.
- Day: e-mails with the superintendent, spare-part orders, maintenance records, checking the work on the big jobs.
- Noon: fuel and consumption figures for the noon report.
- Evening: the night orders for the engine room and the duty engineer.
Arrivals and departures, bunkering, blackouts and breakdowns override everything: the chief engineer is in the engine control room for manoeuvres and on call at any hour.
Differences by vessel type
- Container ships: very large two-stroke engines, high speeds and tight schedules; little time in port for maintenance.
- Tankers: cargo pumps (steam or electric), inert gas and boilers; vetting inspects the engine room too.
- Gas carriers (LNG): dual-fuel engines or steam turbines on older ships, boil-off handling, high-voltage plants — and the IGF/IGC training that goes with them.
- Bulk carriers: simpler plants, long voyages, and a chief engineer who has to make spares last.
- Offshore: diesel-electric plants, DP redundancy, thrusters and short contracts.
- Passenger ships: huge power plants, many engineers, and hotel systems (air conditioning, fresh water, sewage) on a city scale.
Certificates and documents
- Certificate of competency, chief engineer unlimited (STCW III/2, 3,000 kW or more) — revalidated every five years. For 750–3,000 kW there is a separate certificate under III/3.
- Flag endorsements (STCW I/10) for the flags you serve under.
- Medical certificate — valid for at most two years.
- Basic Training refreshers every five years; Advanced Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid, PSCRB.
- ERM (engine-room resource management), High Voltage at management level, and type-specific courses for electronically controlled engines where the company uses them.
- For tankers and gas carriers — the advanced cargo courses; for gas-fuelled ships — IGF.
What it takes
Under STCW Regulation III/2, the chief engineer's certificate for ships of 3,000 kW or more requires the officer-of-the-watch certificate (III/1) and at least 36 months of approved sea service, of which at least 12 months must be served as an engineer officer in a position of responsibility while qualified to serve as second engineer. On top come your administration's exams and the management-level courses.
In practice a company wants years as second engineer on the same type of plant, a clean record with inspections, and the trust of its technical superintendents. Most chief engineers are promoted inside the fleet.
The path
Engine cadet → fourth engineer → third engineer → second engineer → chief engineer. With steady contracts it often takes 8–12 years from cadet to chief, faster on some fleets and slower on others.
Contracts and rotation
Chief engineers often sail shorter contracts than the rest of the crew — on many fleets three to four months, on others longer. MLC 2006 limits the time on board before repatriation to less than 12 months, and the rest-hour minimums — 10 hours in 24 and 77 in seven days — apply to the chief engineer too, even during a long breakdown.
Interview questions for a chief engineer
- "What was the biggest breakdown you handled, and how?" Diagnosis, decision, report, prevention.
- "How do you prepare for bunkering and check the fuel?" Procedure, sampling, quantity disputes.
- "How do you comply with the sulphur limits when entering an ECA?" Fuel changeover, records, timing.
- "What did your last PSC or vetting inspection find in the engine room?"
- "How do you manage spares within budget?" Critical spares, planning, the superintendent.
- "Scavenge fire / crankcase explosion: what are the signs and what do you do?"
Common mistakes
- Applying for a plant you have never run — a first chief engineer's contract is almost always on a type you know as second.
- A CV without engine makes and models. For this rank they are the first thing a superintendent reads.
- Missing High Voltage or type-specific courses when the fleet needs them.
- No references from a superintendent or a previous chief.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a chief engineer?
Often 8–12 years from engine cadet, depending on the fleet and how steadily you sail.
What is the difference between III/2 and III/3?
III/2 is for ships with propulsion power of 3,000 kW or more; III/3 covers 750–3,000 kW.
Does the chief engineer keep a watch?
Usually not; on small ships the chief engineer may share duties.
Is the chief engineer equal to the master?
The master has overall command of the ship; the chief engineer heads the engine department and is usually the second most senior officer on board.
Pay and jobs
The chief engineer is usually paid on a level close to the master's; the gap depends on the vessel type and the company. The current range from real vacancies is on the chief engineer jobs page; a comparison by rank is on our salaries page.
Your CV
Crewing desks read a chief engineer's CV for engine makes and models, power, vessel types and inspection results. The maritime CV puts them first.
Requirements follow STCW, MARPOL and MLC 2006; your flag state may add its own. Check them with your maritime administration.