![Chief engineer at work on main engine](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Chief_engineer_at_work_on_main_engine.JPG)
A chief engineer, commonly referred to as "ChEng" or "Chief", is the most senior
engine officer
An engineering officer or simply engineer, is a licensed mariner qualified and responsible for operating and maintaining the propulsion plants and support systems for a watercraft and its crew, passengers and cargo.Wise Geek''What is the Engine ...
of an
engine department
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 includ ...
on a
ship
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...
, typically a
merchant ship
A merchant ship, merchant vessel, trading vessel, or merchantman is a watercraft that transports cargo or carries passengers for hire. This is in contrast to pleasure craft, which are used for personal recreation, and naval ships, which are u ...
, and holds overall leadership and the responsibility of that department..Chief engineer's rank is equivalent to the rank of a ship's
captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
. As a person who holds one of the most senior roles on the ship, they must have excellent communication and leadership skills. They will be expected to regularly work alongside other crew members and external consultants, and most importantly, provide guidance to their team.
To be a chief engineer, an engineer must attain a chief engineer's license appropriate to the tonnage, power rating, and type of ship that they are employed on. A chief engineer is ultimately responsible for all operations and maintenance that has to do with any and all engineering equipment throughout the entire ship, and supervises all other engineering officer and engine ratings within the department.
United States
Job requirements
* A Chief Engineer must be a United States citizen of at least 18 years of age.
[National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (2018, July 24). Marine operations. Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/careers/chief-engineer]
* A Chief Engineer must acquire the knowledge of understanding, operating and maintaining the latest technology and equipment used on modern ships.
[Ship doctor. (2011, July 13). ''Hindustan Times'' (New Delhi, India). Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/1387B6AD979A05D0.]
* A Chief Engineer must have the mental Strength, resolute ambition and the ability to work within a team of others.
* A Chief Engineer must be suitable for federal employment and have at least one year of experience as a
First Assistant Engineer
A second engineer or first assistant engineer is a licensed member of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. This title is used for the person on a ship responsible for supervising the daily maintenance and operation of the engine depa ...
* A Chief Engineer must hold a
United States passport
United States passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the United States of America. They are issued exclusively by the U.S. Department of State. Besides passports (in booklet form), limited-use passport cards are issued by ...
in their possession.
* A Chief Engineer must have a
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...
endorsed license
Job description
* A Chief Engineer must be able to stand watches regularly when the ship is either in the sea or in port. Remain the status of On-Call at all times
* Chief Engineer plans, directs and performs as necessary the activities of the Engineering Department in carrying out its assigned functions and responsibilities
* The Chief Engineer is the head of the crew who oversees and takes responsibilities of the ship's plant operations.
* A Chief Engineer would have to supervise their fellow department personnel while providing job training and guidance to their fellow assistant engineers.
* A Chief Engineer must ensure each assigned task is completed and keep required records, logs and reports
* A Chief Engineer may be sent to any vessel nationwide.
* A Chief Engineer must ensure the mission of the ship can be successfully completed by supervising or personally performing particularly complex or difficult technical work and activities.
* A Chief Engineer must attain the role of a guidance for the rest of the crew and give orders or suggestions when needed.
* A Chief Engineer would receive a various amount of salary depending on the particular job. Salary level ranges from $156,527 to $172,736 in the United States.
Designed courses for potential chief engineers
Courses for potential Chief Engineers are designed by experienced engineers who had spent years in the field of
engineering
Engineering is the use of scientific method, scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad rang ...
already, "To determine the topics that should be included in the certificate, the team undertook an analysis of existing company training materials that were being used for training their senior level project and systems engineers."
A similar training program for potential Chief Engineers, the Certified Chief Engineer (CCE) Training is also being developed by the National Association of Hotel & Lodging Engineers.
[National Association of Hotel & Lodging Engineers. (February 28, 2019). Certified Chief Engineer training. Retrieved from http://nahle.org/certifications/certified-chief-engineer-cce/] The development process of CCE includes gathering the input of various hotel management companies and industry professions.
CCE program is designed to provide a curriculum exclusively for hotel engineers and maintenance professionals.
Notable representatives
George Hairston George Hairston (September 20, 1750 to March 5, 1825) was a noted planter and politician in Virginia. He was a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War and a Brigadier General in the War of 1812.
Family life
George Hairston was the son of Robert H ...
: A US Coast Guard Licensed Chief Engineer, who graduated from
State University of New York Maritime College
State University of New York Maritime College (SUNY Maritime College) is a public maritime college in the Bronx, New York City. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Founded in 1874, the SUNY Maritime College was the fir ...
. Hairston had sailed on a
United States Naval Ship
United States Naval Ship (USNS) is the prefix designation given to non- commissioned ships that are property of the United States Navy (USN).
Definition
United States Naval Ships are unarmed auxiliary support vessels owned by the U.S. Navy ...
spearhead.
Patrick K. Brown: A US Coast Guard Licensed Chief Engineer, who was associated with discharging waste oil directly overboard.
[Former Chief Engineer Arraigned on Charges Related to Vessel Pollution. (2007, August 24). PR Newswire (USA). Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/11B3D1BC48F53680.] As a result, Chief Engineer Brown faced up to five years of prison time, a potential fine, and a term of probation up to five years.
Tim Olsen: An U.S Coast Guard Licensed Chief Engineer, who sailed on
NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (abbreviated as NOAA ) is an United States scientific and regulatory agency within the United States Department of Commerce that forecasts weather, monitors oceanic and atmospheric conditio ...
Ship ''Nancy Foster'', an
oceanographic research vessel[National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (March 07, 2018) NOAA Ship Nancy Foster makes a historic visit to ]Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
. Retrieved from https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media/articles/2016-05-17/noaa-ship-nancy-foster-makes-historic-visit-cuba that became the first U.S. Government ship to visit Cuba since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations.
See also
*
Seafarer's professions and ranks
Seafaring is a tradition that encompasses a variety of professions and ranks. Each of these roles carries unique responsibilities that are integral to the successful operation of a seafaring vessel. A ship's crew can generally be divided into ''f ...
References
External links
{{Merchant Marine Billets
Nautical terminology
Marine occupations
Transport occupations