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Third Engineer Jobs

1 open vacancy · updated 15 Oct 2026

About the role

The Third Engineer keeps an engine-room watch on seagoing ships. This officer works under the Second Engineer and reports to the Second Engineer. The Third Engineer monitors and operates main propulsion machinery, auxiliary engines, boilers, purifiers, air compressors, pumps, fresh water generator and oily water separator. During watch, the Third Engineer supervises engine ratings such as Motorman, Oiler and Wiper and records engine-room readings. This rank works on cargo ships, container ships, bulk carriers, tankers and offshore vessels where main propulsion machinery is 750 kW or more. The Third Engineer is an officer in charge of an engineering watch under STCW III/1 and must hold a CoC. The role includes planned maintenance, bunkering, watch handover and emergency response in the engine room.

Duties on board

  • Take over and keep the engine-room watch; check main engine, generators, boilers and auxiliary machinery.
  • Record readings of temperatures, pressures, revolutions, tank levels and fuel consumption in the engine log.
  • Adjust main engine and auxiliary engine controls during manoeuvring, arrival and departure.
  • Operate purifiers, air compressors, fresh water generator, oily water separator, sewage plant and bilge system.
  • Assist bunkering and transfer of fuel oil, diesel oil and lube oil; check tank levels and sounding.
  • Carry out planned maintenance on pumps, valves, heat exchangers, filters and engine-room machinery under the Second Engineer.
  • Supervise Motorman, Oiler and Wiper during watch and assign engine-room tasks.
  • Report machinery faults, alarms and unusual sounds or vibrations to the Second Engineer immediately.
  • Follow engine-room emergency procedures: fire, flooding, blackout, steering failure and abandon ship.
  • Prepare and hand over the watch at watch change; inform the relieving engineer about machinery status and ongoing work.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Certificate of Competency as officer in charge of an engineering watchSTCW III/1Every officer in charge of an engineering watch on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must hold a certificate of competency.
Basic TrainingSTCW VI/1Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code.
Security awareness trainingSTCW VI/6Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction.

Sea service

For STCW III/1, you need approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book, or otherwise not less than 36 months, of which not less than 30 months in the engine department. During this service, you must perform engine-room watchkeeping duties under supervision for not less than six months.

Medical fitness

Seafarers may not work on a ship unless they are certified as medically fit to perform their duties. A medical certificate issued under STCW is accepted. It states that hearing and sight, and colour vision where relevant to the work, are satisfactory. A medical certificate is valid for a maximum of two years, or one year if under age 18.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book / CDC
  • Medical certificate
  • STCW III/1 Certificate of Competency
  • Basic training certificate or certificates under STCW VI/1
  • Security awareness certificate under STCW VI/6
  • Visas and flag-state documents when the voyage requires them

Career path

Comes from: Engine Cadet, Junior Engineer (Trainee Engineer), Fourth Engineer
Next step: Second Engineer

Companies hiring Third Engineer now

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Third Engineer: questions and answers

What does a Third Engineer do on watch?

The Third Engineer keeps an engine-room watch. The officer checks main engine and auxiliary machinery, records readings, operates purifiers and pumps, and reports faults to the Second Engineer. During manoeuvring, the Third Engineer follows bridge orders and adjusts engine-room systems. Ratings such as Motorman, Oiler and Wiper work under this watch.

What certificate do I need to work as Third Engineer?

You need a Certificate of Competency as officer in charge of an engineering watch under STCW III/1. This certificate applies to seagoing ships with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more. You also need basic training under STCW VI/1 and security awareness under STCW VI/6. These are the base requirements before any tanker or passenger ship endorsements.

What sea service is required for the Third Engineer CoC?

Under STCW III/1, you need approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme documented in a training record book, or otherwise not less than 36 months, of which not less than 30 months in the engine department. During this service you must perform engine-room watchkeeping duties under supervision for not less than six months.

What is the difference between Third Engineer and Fourth Engineer?

Both ranks are officers in charge of an engineering watch under STCW III/1. On many ships, a Third Engineer takes more responsibility for planned maintenance or specific systems. The exact duties depend on the ship and engine-room arrangement.

Do I need tanker training as a Third Engineer?

If you serve on an oil, chemical or liquefied gas tanker and have duties related to cargo or cargo equipment, you need basic tanker training under STCW V/1-1 or STCW V/1-2. If you are assigned immediate responsibility for cargo operations, advanced tanker training is required. This training is separate from your STCW III/1 CoC.
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Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.