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- Motorman / Oiler1 vacancy
About the role
A Wiper is an entry-level engine rating on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more. The Wiper works in the engine room under the direct supervision of a qualified engineer officer or a qualified rating. The Wiper cleans engine-room floors, machinery and bilges; wipes oil and grease; helps the Oiler and Motorman during watch; passes tools; and assists with routine engine-room tasks. A Wiper does not take charge of an engine watch alone. A Wiper mostly works on cargo ships, tankers, bulk carriers, container ships and offshore vessels with large engine rooms. This rank is the first step toward Oiler or Motorman.
Duties on board
- Clean engine-room plates, ladders, handrails and bilges with mops, rags and cleaning agents.
- Wipe oil, grease and sludge from pumps, purifiers, generator bedplates and piping.
- Assist the Oiler or Motorman with sounding tanks and checking engine-room machinery during the watch.
- Pass tools, hoses and spare parts to engine ratings and engineer officers.
- Drain water and sludge from air bottles, fuel oil settling tanks and purifier sludge tanks as instructed.
- Remove waste, oily rags and garbage from the engine room to the correct containers.
- Paint engine-room structures and mark pipes after cleaning and surface preparation.
- Help with bunkering or tank transfers by carrying equipment and standing by as directed.
Requirements
| Document | Convention | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) for Rating forming part of an engine-room watch | STCW III/4 | Every rating forming part of an engine-room watch on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must be certificated. |
| Basic Safety Training (BST) | STCW VI/1 | Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code. |
| Security Awareness Training | STCW VI/6 | Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction (section A-VI/6 of the STCW Code). |
Sea service
A candidate needs approved seagoing service including not less than six months of training and experience, or special training (pre-sea or on board) including approved seagoing service of not less than two months. The service must be connected with engine-room watchkeeping under the direct supervision of a qualified engineer officer or a qualified rating.
Medical fitness
Seafarers must hold a valid medical certificate before beginning work on a ship. The certificate 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 the seafarer is under the age of 18.
Documents
- Passport
- Seaman's book (CDC)
- Valid medical certificate (MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2)
- Certificate of Proficiency for Rating forming part of an engine-room watch (STCW III/4)
- Basic Safety Training certificate (STCW VI/1)
- Security awareness certificate (STCW VI/6)
- Visas when the voyage or port requires them
Career path
Next step: Motorman / Oiler
Wiper: questions and answers
What does a Wiper do on a ship?
A Wiper is an engine-room rating. The Wiper cleans engine-room plates, machinery and bilges, wipes oil and grease, passes tools, and assists the Oiler, Motorman and engineer officers. A Wiper works under supervision and does not take charge of an engine-room watch alone.
What certificates does a Wiper need?
A Wiper must hold a certificate of proficiency as a rating forming part of an engine-room watch under STCW III/4. A Wiper also needs Basic Safety Training (STCW VI/1) and security awareness training (STCW VI/6). Additional training may be required by the ship type.
How long does it take to become a Wiper?
A candidate for the engine-room watch rating certificate needs approved seagoing service including not less than six months of training and experience, or special training with approved seagoing service of not less than two months. Minimum age is 16 years.
Does a Wiper stand an engine-room watch?
A Wiper may form part of an engine-room watch, but works under the direct supervision of a qualified engineer officer or a qualified rating. The Wiper assists with watch tasks but does not take charge of the watch.
Can a Wiper move up to Motorman or Oiler?
Yes. A Wiper can move up to Motorman or Oiler. The able seafarer engine certificate under STCW III/5 requires the watch rating certificate, plus approved seagoing service in the engine department of not less than 12 months, or not less than 6 months together with approved training.
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Sources
- ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)
- IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (1 July 2010), Resolution 1: The Manila Amendments to the annex to the STCW Convention
Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.