What skills does a marine chief engineer need?

A marine chief engineer needs 24 essential skills including physical parts of the vessel, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, maritime electric drives, mechanical tools, electrical systems used in transportation. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace marine chief engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for marine chief engineer is 24/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Engineering ServicesScience and engineering associate professionalsISCO 3151

marine chief engineer

Marine chief engineers are responsible for the entire technical operations of the vessel including engineering, electrical, and mechanical divisions. They are the head of the entire engine department aboard the ship and have overall responsibility for all technical operations and equipment on-board the ship. Marine chief engineers collaborate on security, survival and health care on board and observe the national and international standards of application.

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (24)

physical parts of the vesselphysical parts of the vesselThe different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.international regulations for preventing collisions at seainternational regulations for preventing collisions at seaFundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic sign...maritime electric drivesmaritime electric drivesThe technology used to convert electrical energy from a battery or power system into mechanical energy, transmitting the force generated into motion. In the maritime sector, electrical energy is used ...mechanical toolsmechanical toolsVarious type of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.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.electronics principleselectronics principlesThe study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsThe fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations fo...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.communicate verbal instructionscommunicate verbal instructionsCommunicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...carry out navigational calculationscarry out navigational calculationsSolve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.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.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.conduct financial auditsconduct financial auditsEvaluate and monitor the financial health, the operations and financial movements expressed in the financial statements of the company. Revise the financial records to ensure stewardship and governabi...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...repair vessel electrical systemsrepair vessel electrical systemsExecute on board repairs of vessel electrical systems. Resolve malfunctions without affecting the course of the journey.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 quality auditsperform quality auditsExecute regular, systematic and documented examinations of a quality system for verifying conformity with a standard based on objective evidence such as the implementation of processes, effectiveness ...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.maintain voyage logsmaintain voyage logsMaintain a written records of events during a ship or aeroplane voyage.operate mechanical equipment of shipsoperate mechanical equipment of shipsOperate mechanical equipment on vessels; communicate with engineers if failures occur or should repairs be required during a voyage.analyse work-related written reportsanalyse work-related written reportsRead and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.

Optional (42)

ship related legislative requirementsship related legislative requirementsConventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning safety of life at sea, security and protection of the marine environment.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.maritime lawmaritime lawThe collection of domestic and international laws and treaties that govern behaviour on the sea.mechanics of vesselsmechanics of vesselsThe mechanical aspects and principles of vessels operations, and the technicalities and mechanical composition of boats and ships.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.fishing vesselsfishing vesselsDenomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.risks associated with undertaking fishing operationsrisks associated with undertaking fishing operationsGeneral risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....manage the operation of propulsion plant machinerymanage the operation of propulsion plant machineryManage the operative mechanism of the marine diesel engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, and steam boilers.follow ethical code of conduct in transport servicesfollow ethical code of conduct in transport servicesCarry out transport services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes principles of fairness, transparency, and impartiality.prevent fires on boardprevent fires on boardOrganise fire drills on board. Make sure that appliances for fire prevention fire-fighting are in working order. Take the appropriate action in case of fire, including fires involving oil systems.lead a team in fishery serviceslead a team in fishery servicesDirect a fishery or aquaculture team and guide them towards the common goal of completing a variety of fishery related assignments or tasks.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.maintain shipboard machinerymaintain shipboard machineryTake care of the repair and maintenance of shipboard machinery, including the safe isolation of such machinery or equipment before personnel are permitted to work on it. Dismantle, adjust and reassemb...operate marine machinery systemsoperate marine machinery systemsOperate principles of marine machinery, including marine diesel engine, steam turbine, boiler, shafting installations, propeller, various auxiliaries, steering gear, automatic control systems, and dec...manage engine-room resourcesmanage engine-room resourcesAllocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.extinguish firesextinguish firesChoose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform small vessel safety measuresperform small vessel safety measuresOrganise and monitor safety, applying the regulations for risk prevention at work. Organise and manage emergency operations such as flooding, abandoning ship, survival at sea, search and rescue of shi...perform small vessel safety proceduresperform small vessel safety proceduresImplement emergency measures of health care to sick and injured on board, according to established procedures to minimise potential injuries or illnesses.prevent sea pollutionprevent sea pollutionOrganize and monitor environment protection applying the regulations for pollution prevention at sea.operate control systemsoperate control systemsConfigure and operate electrical, electronic and control equipment. Maintain, monitor and control operations on a control system to ensure major risks are controlled and prevented.apply transportation management conceptsapply transportation management conceptsApply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.manage ship emergency plansmanage ship emergency plansOrganize and manage emergency operations, flooding, abandoning ship, survival at sea, search and rescue of shipwrecked, according to the ship's emergency plans, to ensure the safety.supervise crewsupervise crewSupervise and observe the behaviour of employees.ensure vessel compliance with regulationsensure vessel compliance with regulationsInspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.manage safety standards for maritime water transportmanage safety standards for maritime water transportManage and maintain safety standards and procedures for maritime transport. Ensure that before dispatching any vessel, all regulations and standards are met. May also be required to operate as a membe...maintain electronic equipmentmaintain electronic equipmentCheck and repair electronic equipment. Develop maintenance tasks on electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.operate life-saving appliancesoperate life-saving appliancesOperate survival craft and their launching appliances and arrangements. Operate life-saving instruments like radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protecti...have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.maintain safe engineering watchesmaintain safe engineering watchesObserve principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance of...train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.operate ship propulsion systemoperate ship propulsion systemPerform start-up and subsequent observation of the working parameters of the ship's propulsion system. Check the operating parameters of electric generators in the switchboard, power sources and elect...operate ship rescue machineryoperate ship rescue machineryOperate rescue boats and survival craft. Launch the boats as required and operate their equipment. Take care of survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship. Use electronic devices to track and ...