Еngineering department
Junior Engineer / 4th Engineer
(Entry Level)Where: Large yachts (typically 50–60m+)
Role: Assisting senior engineers, standing watches, routine maintenance of onboard systems.
Minimum required documents:
Basic STCW:
It is possible to get a job without time at sea, but further growth will require at least 6-12 months.
2️⃣ 3rd Engineer / Assistant Engineer
Role: Independent work on technical systems — generators, HVAC, watermakers, fuel systems.
Usually required:
AEC 2 Oral Exam Internal Flag Exam (if required)
3️⃣ 2nd Engineer
Role: Deputy to the Chief Engineer. Oversees maintenance and may act as the sole engineer on 30–40m yachts.
Certificates required:
Exams OOW written and oral exams Oral exam at the administration office (e.g., UK Oral)
4️⃣ Chief Engineer (Yacht)
Chief Engineer of the vessel. Responsible for:
CoC Levels (Yacht Engineering Route)
Y3 — Chief Engineer <3000 kW
What it allowsYou can serve as Chief Engineer on commercial yachts with propulsion power up to 3000 kW.
Entry Requirements
Officer of the Watch (OOW) (Engine) CoC
Required Knowledge
Y2 — Chief Engineer <6000 kW
What it allowsChief Engineer on yachts up to 6000 kW (typically larger 50m+ superyachts).
Entry Requirements
Chief Engineer <3000 kW (Y3) CoC
Leadership & Management (Operational/Management Level)
AreasAdvanced electrical fault finding
MCA Oral Exam (management-level focus)
Y1 — Chief Engineer (Unlimited Power)
What it allowsChief Engineer on yachts of unlimited propulsion power (large superyachts & megayachts 60m+).
Entry RequirementsChief Engineer <6000 kW (Y2)
(Management Level STCW)Advanced Stability
(Entry Level)Where: Large yachts (typically 50–60m+)
Role: Assisting senior engineers, standing watches, routine maintenance of onboard systems.
Minimum required documents:
Basic STCW:
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Fire Prevention & Firefighting
- Elementary First Aid
- Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
- ENG1 (seafarer medical certificate)
- Sometimes: AEC 1 (Approved Engine Course)
- ENG1 or equivalent
It is possible to get a job without time at sea, but further growth will require at least 6-12 months.
2️⃣ 3rd Engineer / Assistant Engineer
Role: Independent work on technical systems — generators, HVAC, watermakers, fuel systems.
Usually required:
- STCW Basic
- AEC 1 + AEC 2
- Engine Room Watch Rating (or equivalent)
- Accumulated sea time
AEC 2 Oral Exam Internal Flag Exam (if required)
3️⃣ 2nd Engineer
Role: Deputy to the Chief Engineer. Oversees maintenance and may act as the sole engineer on 30–40m yachts.
Certificates required:
- Officer of the Watch (Engine) (OOW)
- Advanced Firefighting
- Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)
- STCW Medical Care
- Sea time (typically 12+ months)
- Engine Resource Management (ERM)
- High Voltage Operations
- Stability & Damage Control
- ISM Code basics
- MARPOL regulations
- Fuel management & pollution prevention
Exams OOW written and oral exams Oral exam at the administration office (e.g., UK Oral)
4️⃣ Chief Engineer (Yacht)
Chief Engineer of the vessel. Responsible for:
- Main engines
- Generators
- Fuel systems
- Electrical systems
- Compliance with class and flag state requirements
CoC Levels (Yacht Engineering Route)
Y3 — Chief Engineer <3000 kW
What it allowsYou can serve as Chief Engineer on commercial yachts with propulsion power up to 3000 kW.
Entry Requirements
Officer of the Watch (OOW) (Engine) CoC
- Minimum 12 months sea time after obtaining OOW
- Advanced Firefighting
- Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)
- Valid ENG1 medical
- Approved Training Record Book (completed)
Required Knowledge
- AreasMarine diesel engines (medium/high speed)
- Generator operation & load sharing
- Fuel systems & purification
- Electrical distribution systems (LV)
- Refrigeration & HVAC
- Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS)
- MARPOL & pollution prevention
- ISM Code basics
- SOLAS basics
- Emergency procedures
- MCA Oral Examination (engineering knowledge & practical scenarios)
- Document review (sea time verification, course certificates)
Y2 — Chief Engineer <6000 kW
What it allowsChief Engineer on yachts up to 6000 kW (typically larger 50m+ superyachts).
Entry Requirements
Chief Engineer <3000 kW (Y3) CoC
- Additional 12 months sea time as Chief or Senior Engineer
- Advanced Firefighting (valid)
- Updated ENG1
Leadership & Management (Operational/Management Level)
- Engine Resource Management (ERM)
- High Voltage Operations
- Stability & Damage Control
- Marine legislation (SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM)
AreasAdvanced electrical fault finding
- Power management systems
- Dry dock planning
- Class & Flag compliance
- Budget control & spare parts management
- Risk assessment
MCA Oral Exam (management-level focus)
- Management-level written assessment (if required)
- Full document audit
Y1 — Chief Engineer (Unlimited Power)
What it allowsChief Engineer on yachts of unlimited propulsion power (large superyachts & megayachts 60m+).
Entry RequirementsChief Engineer <6000 kW (Y2)
- Significant additional sea time (often 36+ months total engineering sea time)
- Sea time as Chief Engineer required
- Valid Advanced Firefighting
- Valid ENG1
(Management Level STCW)Advanced Stability
- Leadership & Management (Management Level)
- Advanced High Voltage
- Advanced Marine Engineering Systems
- Shipboard Safety Management
- Environmental Management (MARPOL advanced)
- AreasThermodynamics & power plant efficiency
- Load sharing & blackout recovery
- Advanced automation & control systems
- Survey preparation (Class inspections)
- Budget planning & refit management
- Flag State & Class regulations
- Accident investigation procedures
- MCA Written Exams (if required under pathway)
- MCA Oral Examination (very technical and command-level)
- Full documentation audit
- Verification of sea service
- The oral exam at Y1 level is comprehensive and scenario-driven, focusing on leadership, crisis management, and deep technical competence.
