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Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Jobs

1 open vacancy · updated 15 Oct 2026

About the role

The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) is the electrical officer in the engine department. The ETO reports to the Chief Engineer and works closely with the Second Engineer and Third Engineer on machinery, automation and electrical faults. On many ships the ETO supervises the Electrician and electro-technical ratings and sets the daily electrical maintenance plan. The work covers alternators and switchboards, motor starters and control panels, steering gear electrics, alarm and monitoring systems, sensors, and bridge electronic equipment. ETOs sail on tankers, LNG and LPG carriers, container ships, passenger ships and offshore vessels such as PSV, AHTS and DSV. STCW III/6 requires every ETO on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more to hold a CoC.

Duties on board

  • Plan and carry out electrical maintenance on alternators, switchboards, transformers and distribution panels.
  • Find and repair faults in motor starters, control circuits, sensors and automation systems.
  • Test insulation resistance and trace earth faults on deck and engine room circuits.
  • Maintain steering gear, bow thruster and mooring equipment electrics with the engineers on watch.
  • Keep the planned maintenance system updated for electrical equipment and order spare parts.
  • Check the electrical safety of portable tools and leads before use and record defects.
  • Supervise the Electrician and electro-technical ratings during daily work and repairs.
  • Attend to bridge electronic equipment, alarm and monitoring systems and UMS alarms with the duty engineer.
  • Report electrical defects and work status to the Chief Engineer each day.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Electro-Technical OfficerSTCW III/6Every ETO on a ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must hold a CoC, and a candidate must be not less than 18 years of age.
Basic Safety Training (BST)STCW VI/1All seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code.
Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)STCW VI/3Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must complete advanced training in fire fighting.
Security-related trainingSTCW VI/6All seafarers need security familiarization and security-awareness training, and designated security duties need more.
Medical certificateMLC 2006 Reg. 1.2Seafarers may not work on a ship unless they hold a valid medical certificate.

Sea service

STCW III/6 requires not less than 12 months of combined workshop skills training and approved seagoing service, with not less than 6 months at sea in an approved training programme recorded in a training record book. Another route is not less than 36 months, of which not less than 30 months at sea in the engine department.

Medical fitness

You must hold a valid medical certificate before you begin work on a ship. A STCW medical certificate is accepted under MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2. It states that hearing and sight, and colour vision where relevant, are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book (CDC)
  • CoC as Electro-Technical Officer
  • BST and other CoP certificates
  • Medical certificate
  • Visas when the voyage needs them

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Electro-Technical Officer (ETO): questions and answers

Do I need a CoC to sail as ETO?

Yes. STCW III/6 says every electro-technical officer on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must hold a certificate of competency (CoC). The certificate follows approved education and training and the standard of competence in section A-III/6 of the STCW Code.

What sea service does the ETO certificate need?

STCW III/6 asks for not less than 12 months of combined workshop skills training and approved seagoing service, with not less than 6 months at sea in an approved training programme recorded in a training record book. Another route is not less than 36 months, of which not less than 30 months at sea in the engine department.

How is the ETO different from an Electrician?

The ETO is an officer who holds a CoC under STCW III/6 and answers to the Chief Engineer. STCW sets a separate certificate for electro-technical ratings. The convention does not set a rule on moving from an Electrician post to an ETO post.

I work on tankers. Do I need extra training?

Yes, if your duties relate to cargo or cargo equipment. STCW V/1-1 requires basic training for oil and chemical tanker cargo operations, and STCW V/1-2 requires basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations. Officers with immediate responsibility for cargo operations need the advanced training certificate for that tanker type.

What medical certificate do I need?

You need a valid medical certificate before you begin work on a ship, under MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2. A STCW medical certificate is accepted. It states that hearing and sight, and colour vision where relevant, are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if you are under 18.
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Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.