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Assorted Files - Duties of ETO

The document discusses the duties and responsibilities of electrical engineer officers on ships. It explains that as ships become more automated and reliant on electronics, maintaining electrical and electronic systems requires dedicated expertise. The duties of an electrical engineer/electro-technical officer include maintaining all electrical motors, switchboards, alarm and navigation systems, batteries, refrigeration, air conditioning, and assisting other engineers with electrical issues. Maintaining expertise in these electrical systems is important for ship operations and safety.

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56 views5 pages

Assorted Files - Duties of ETO

The document discusses the duties and responsibilities of electrical engineer officers on ships. It explains that as ships become more automated and reliant on electronics, maintaining electrical and electronic systems requires dedicated expertise. The duties of an electrical engineer/electro-technical officer include maintaining all electrical motors, switchboards, alarm and navigation systems, batteries, refrigeration, air conditioning, and assisting other engineers with electrical issues. Maintaining expertise in these electrical systems is important for ship operations and safety.

Uploaded by

ZawLinTun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Duties of Electrical Engineer Officer On Board Ship

All the machinery onboard ship is a combination of mechanical and electrical


systems. The modern day shipping is more reliable on automations and
electronics whose knowledge and maintenance can only be handled by an
engineer expert in the electrical field. Marine electrical officer engineers are
perfect for such jobs and that’s why they hold an important role on ship and in
offshore industry.

Electrical engineer is one of the most vital positions in the technical hierarchy
of a ship and engineer is responsible for his assigned work under the chief
engineer’s instructions.

Some shipping companies do not carry electrical officers on their ship to cut
down the manning cost and the electrical duties are carried by some one from
the engineer’s side, normally third engineer. However, many
companies realized that electrical and electronic system requires some extra
attention and therefore require an expert to attend them.
As the technology is advancing, more and more automations and electronic
circuit is replacing conventional and electrical systems. Hence the international
Maritime Organisation (IMO) amended STCW 95 on 25th June 2010 known
as Manila amendment, to introduce a certified position of Electro-technical
officer in place of electrical officer.

The general duties of electrical engineer or Electro-technical officer are:

 He is responsible for maintenance of all the electrical motors on ship i.e.


in engine room and on deck.

 He is in charge of maintenance of all switchboard including main


switchboard and emergency switchboard.

 He is responsible for maintenance of fire detectors and fire alarm


system.

 He has to maintain all the ship’s alarm system.

 He is responsible for the electronic system fitted onboard ship.

 He is responsible for the ship’s navigational lights and other


navigational equipments.

 He is responsible for all the batteries that are connected to machineries


onboard. It includes:
 Emergency batteries for alarm and lights
 Lifeboat batteries
 Batteries for emergency generator
 Other batteries fitted onboard

 He is responsible for maintaining refrigeration unit in the engine room

 He has to take care of air conditioning unit of the vessel.

 Electrical officer is responsible for maintaining refrigerated


containers carried on container ship.
 He is responsible for cargo and engine room cranes electrical system.

 He has to carry out routine maintenance for main engine alarms and
trips along with the chief engineer.

 During the time of manoeuvring, he has to be present in the engine


room along with other engineers to tackle any kind of electrical and
other emergencies.

 Electrical officer can assist in watch keeping routines at desired time by


the chief engineer.

 He has to assist ship’s engineer and deck officer in all kind of electrical
problems.

Even the post of electrical officer is not a compulsion on a ship, but due to
technicalities and complex knowledge requirement of the electrical and
electronic system, they are extensively present in the shipping industry.

Electrical jobs Marine Engineer must know

Following are the most common electrical problems and jobs, which
marine engineers must know about:

1. Operation of various electrical instruments: Any kind of electrical


operation or maintenance job is to be carried out with the assistance of
several other electrical instrument and tools such as multimeter, megger,
clamp meter etc. A marine engineer must know the correct operating
procedures to operate all these instruments and should also know how to
interpret the readings.

2. Starter panel routine: The starter panel of every electrical system


comprises of contacts which need regular maintenance for burnouts,
breakage, deposits accumulation etc. The maintenance of the starter panel is a
part of the planned maintenance job and all safety measures must be taken
before performing the same. Marine engineers must know the right procedure
for starter panel maintenance.

3. Insulation resistance: All wires and cables in the electrical system are
provided with an insulation sheath. This cover may get damaged after a period
of operation. If the insulation resistance reading is at a lower side, it may lead
to short circuit, earth fault and equipment damage. Marine engineers must
know how to maintain insulation resistance of wires and cables.

4. Earth fault finding: One of the most common problems in an electrical


system is the earth fault. Finding an earth fault is an exhaustive job which
requires utmost patience. A Marine Engineer should know the methods and
instruments to find out the earth fault. Read more about earth fault finding
here.

5. Motor overhauling: Electrical motors are present in abundance on ships.


These motors drive several other machinery systems such as pumps, fans,
purifiers etc. Maintenance of these motors is to be done as per the planned
maintenance system and during the breakdown. The complete overhauling
procedure of motors must be known by marine engineer including the safety
procedures required. Learn more about motor overhauling here.

6. Bus Bar overhauling: This task is normally performed in the dry dock. The
bus bar of the ship carries and distributes the power generated by the ship’s
generator. It is important to know the correct isolating and maintenance
procedures for bus bar while the ship is at normal voyage or out of water in
dry dock. Learn more about bus bar overhauling here.

7. Battery Charging onboard: Batteries are used mainly for emergency


power backup and for operating emergency LSA such as lifeboat. The
charging and maintenance of the batteries have to be performed at regular
interval of time and marine engineers bust be aware of this process. Learn
more about battery charging here.

8. Adjusting the load sensor of mooring winch: The mooring winch is


important machinery used for berthing a ship to the jetty. The immense load
applied by the mooring ropes on the winch is handled in a safe limit by a load
sensor. If the load exceeds the limits, the sensor will trip the mooring winch to
safeguard the machine. A marine engineer must know the procedure to adjust
the load sensor of a mooring winch. Learn how to adjust the load sensor of
mooring winches here.

9. Shore Connection or AMP: The green revolution has introduced cold


ironing or alternate marine power for dry docks (previously used only in dry
dock) and in ports (now used in many ports especially for cruise ships). As
the shore power parameters are slightly different i.e. voltage, frequency etc.
ship engineers must know how to correctly connect the shore power to ship
supply by using a transformer or frequency converter. Learn all safety
procedures for shore connection in our dry dock ebook.

10. Engine Automation: Engine automation is an important aspect to be


considered during maintenance in order to ensure the overall safety of the
ship. Both main engine and ship’s generator are provided with several
automation, alarms and trips. A marine engineer must know the ship
automation system and troubleshooting related problems within a few days of
joining the ship.

These are some of the important and most common electrical jobs marine
engineers must know onboard ships.

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