Deckhands, Marine Oilers, and Ship Engineers

Alternative Titles

Sailors, bosun, ordinary seaman, and able seaman (for deckhand); wipers, pumpmen, Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) (for marine oiler); and first, second, and third assistant engineer and chief engineer (for ship engineer).

Brief Job Description

Deckhands, marine oilers, and ship engineers work on vessels in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Deckhands operate and maintain the vessel and deck equipment under the supervision of a mate, keeping the vessel in good operating condition. Ship engineers oversee marine oilers and operate, maintain, and repair propulsion engines, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery. Marine oilers assist ship engineers in operating and maintaining the ship’s engine areas below deck. 

Education and Training Level Description

Entry-level deckhands and marine oilers have no educational or work experience requirements. Entry-level deckhands and marine oilers typically receive 6–12 months of on-the-job training, depending on the size of the vessel and the waterway (ocean, lake, river, etc.). With 2 years of experience and certification, deckhands can advance to become an able seaman. A deckhand can advance to become a third mate with 3 or more years of experience and the necessary certifications. Deckhands typically must complete coursework or study independently to pass the written exam portion of the certification. 

Marine oilers can also advance in their career with additional years of experience. Marine oilers can advance to the highest rank, a QMED, by passing QMED exams or a U.S. Coast Guard-approved program. After 3 years of experience in the engine room and completion of training and testing requirements, a QMED can receive a certification to become an entry-level ship engineer, called a third assistant engineer. Learn more about advancement opportunities for deckhands at the U.S. Bureau Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Deckhand webpage.

Ship engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in marine engineering from a maritime academy or through experience as a marine oiler, as described above. Ship engineers also must maintain a current Merchant Mariner Credential. Third assistant engineers can advance to second assistant engineers and eventually a chief engineer with additional years of experience, training, and acquired certifications. A chief engineer oversees all engineers and marine oilers to coordinate engine room operation, maintenance, and repairs.

Anyone who works on a ship with a U.S. flag is required to get the Transportation Worker Identification Credential as proof of their U.S. citizenship and of passing the security screening. Those working on vessels in the open ocean must receive a Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping certification that covers topics, such as first aid and lifeboat safety.

Job Profile

Deckhands keep all parts of a ship in good working order. Deckhands typically:

• Stand watch, looking for other vessels or obstructions in their ship’s path and for navigational aids, such as buoys and lighthouses
• Steer the ship under the guidance of an officer and measure water depth in shallow water
• Do routine maintenance, such as painting the deck and chipping away rust
• Handle mooring lines when docking or departing
• Tie barges together when they are being towed
• Load and unload cargo
• Clean and repair nonmechanical vessel components
• Report to mates, also called deck officers.

Marine oilers work in the engine room, helping the engineers keep the propulsion system in working order. Marine oilers typically:

• Lubricate gears, shafts, bearings, and other parts of the engine or motor
• Read pressure and temperature gauges and record data
• Perform daily and periodic maintenance on engine room machinery
• Help ship engineers with repairs to machinery
• Connect hoses, operate pumps, and clean tanks
• Assist the deck crew with loading or unloading of cargo, if necessary
• Report to ship engineers.

Ship engineers operate and maintain a vessel’s propulsion system, which includes the engine, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery. Small boats might have only one engineer. A larger vessel would have a chief engineer along with a first, second, and third assistant engineer. Ship engineers typically:

• Maintain a ship’s mechanical and electrical equipment and systems
• Start the engine and regulate the vessel’s speed, following the captain’s orders
• Record information in an engineering log
• Keep an inventory of mechanical parts and supplies
• Do routine maintenance checks throughout the day
• Calculate refueling requirements.

Job Skills

Deckhands, marine oilers, and ship engineers typically need:

• Hand-eye coordination. Vessel crew who steer ships or handle cargo have to operate various controls while staying aware of their surroundings.
• Good vision and hearing abilities. Vessel crew need good vision, color vision, and hearing ability as they need to be able to keep track of weather conditions, identify colored pipes and wires, and recognize possible obstacles along their way.
• Manual dexterity. Crewmembers need good balance to maneuver through tight spaces and on wet or uneven surfaces.
• Mechanical skills. Members of the engine department keep complex machines working properly.
• Physical strength. Deckhands on freight ships load and unload cargo. While away at sea, most workers must do some heavy lifting.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on deckhand, marine oiler, and ship engineer jobs, see: 

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Water Transportation Workers.

Resources

• EduMaritime: USCG QMED (Qualified Member of Engine Department) Requirements - MMC
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Water Transportation Workers
• ZipRecruiter: What Is a Ship Engineer and How to Become One