Duties and responsibilities of a 4th Engineer on a Ship

Who Is The Fourth Engineer?

A fourth Engineer is the rank of an engine officer who works as an essential member of a vessel's engine department. He is also referred to as a Third Assistant Engineer. The officer in charge (OIC) of the engineering watch on board is a 4th engineer.

The 4th Engineer, who is a licensed member of the engine department onboard a merchant ship, is also the engine department's first rank promotion.

Furthermore, the fourth engineer rank is stumbling by a plethora of responsibilities that must be completely satisfied.

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The ranking rules state that On all types of merchant's vessels, regardless of shipping company, a fourth engineer shall report to the second Engineer (and, when necessary, to the Chief Engineer Officer), who assigns the duties to him, both at sea and in port, and whose orders he or she shall consider effective and binding as if issued by the Chief Engineer.

 A directive requires the 4th Engineer, who has already been trained during his or her cadetship, to assist the 2nd Engineer in carrying out maintenance duties in accordance with the PMS (Planned Maintenance System).

In other words, the 4th Engineer's job is to work alongside other engineers and to expand his or her knowledge while on board.

How to Become the Fourth Engineer in the merchant navy?

You must first complete an approved course at a marine college. They will train you as an Engine Cadet, and after successfully completing the course, you will board the ship as a trainee for a set period of time. Depending on the country and company policy, you must go through an onboarding training period of 6-12 months.

Note: In certain ships, the fourth Engineer may not be present.

4th Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

A Fourth Engineer is responsible for the upkeep and repair of any machinery or equipment required by the Chief or Second Engineer, as well as the duties outlined in STCW 2010 A-III/1.

1) Familiarization: Once on board, the 4th Engineer's first responsibility is to become acquainted with the ship and its equipment, such as the fire fighting system and fire extinguishers, EEBD (Emergency Escape Breathing Devices), emergency escape routes, life jackets, and the locations of other critical places on board.

2) Watch-keeping Duties: A fourth engineer keeps a single watch in both the unattended machinery spaces (UMS) and the manned engine room with the assistance of his assistant watchkeeper. While exchanging shifts, he must follow the HOTO (HandOver-TakeOver) checklist and requirements.

During loading and unloading, a fourth engineer must also keep the engine room watch in port.

3) Implement PMS: The planned maintenance system (PMS) is critical for the safety and dependability of all systems on board a ship. A fourth engineer must adhere to the timetable specified in the ship's PMS, as directed by the 2nd Engineer officer. Maintenance and repair of air compressors, purifiers, A.C. plant, auxiliary generators, emergency fire pump, valves, and all portable fire safety equipment are required. All records for maintenance, repairs, and inventory of stores and spares of all machinery, tools, and equipment must be meticulously kept by the 4th Engineer.

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4) Bunkering: During bunkering operations, the fourth Engineer aids the Chief Engineer Officer. He participates in the bunkering plan, bunkering meeting, and pre-bunkering preparations.

Before beginning bunkering, he should have the SOPEP (The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan) & bunker-related equipment on hand, such as the sampling container, sample bottles, sample flanges, seals, and so on. He is also responsible for maintaining order in the sample locker in the bunker.

5) Obey the Master's Standing Orders and Night Orders: A 4th Engineer must follow the Chief Engineer's Standing Orders. He should also follow the directions for the night watch for the officer of the deck given for the Chief engineer's rest period.

6) Inventory Management: A fourth engineer is required to help the 2nd Engineer officer in the inventory and location of pump spares and all the related tools.

7) The 4th Engineer must additionally perform emergency responsibilities as ordered by command and control in accordance with the Shipboard Emergency Plan.

8) A 4th engineer's tasks on tankers and gas carriers are much more critical since he must monitor pumping equipment while they are in use.

9) Safety: Toolbox meetings: A 4th Engineer must always attend toolbox meetings, during which any safety-related issues are reviewed with the team. A toolbox meeting evaluates the hazards as well as the duties, positions, and obligations. He must guarantee that the company's documented safety and security protocols are followed.

10) A fourth engineer must also create handover notes and a report before signing off the vessel.

11) Reporting: The 4th Engineer is responsible for identifying and reporting non-conformities, near misses/hazardous incidents, and unsafe circumstances in accordance with the protocols outlined in the ship's Safety Management System (SMS).

12) He is also in charge of protecting his ship's belongings from loss or damage. He must also keep an eye out for and put a stop to any inefficient practices by the Engine control room personnel.

Salary of a 4th Engineer in the Merchant Navy

4th Engineers are the engine department's junior officer. As a result, they are paid less than their senior officer. However, this does not imply that they are not well compensated. The typical salary for most 4th Engineers sailing on various types of vessels ranges between $2500 and $4200. 

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Wrapping it up

The 4th Engineer's role in the Merchant Navy is critical to the vessel's efficient operation and upkeep. They are in charge of a variety of tasks, including machine and system maintenance, watch-keeping, fuel management, safety measures, and environmental compliance. The position necessitates a solid technical background as well as exceptional problem-solving abilities. The 4th Engineer must also be knowledgeable about safety protocols and regulations and verify that the vessel follows them. A career as a 4th Engineer in the Merchant Navy can be challenging yet rewarding, with prospects for career advancement and personal improvement.