Chief Engineer (DDL)

JOB SUMMARY

The DDL engineer is directly responsible to the master for the proper operation and maintenance of all mechanical equipment on the vessel. The DDL engineer is directly responsible to the master for the proper operation and maintenance of all mechanical equipment on the vessel. The primary responsibility of the DDL engineer is to safely operate and efficiently maintain vessel machinery.

KEY INTERACTIONS

G&H Employees, G&H executive leadership, senior client leadership, mariners, industry associations, and 3rd party vendors

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• An engineer must be capable of reading well enough to comprehend the various manufacturers’ instruction manuals that describe preventative and corrective maintenance procedures for the equipment aboard the vessel. An Engineer must also be capable of reading and understanding written directives that may affect his job or emergency assignment
• An Engineer must possess enough physical dexterity to manipulate small items in restricted spaces or large objects when using mechanical lifting devices
• An engineer’s hearing must be adequate to ensure safety while working in a machinery space with a high level of background noise and detect changes in the operating sounds of machinery. An Engineer must be capable of communicating with the master or other personnel via portable or fixed VHF-FM radio as well as by intercom systems or voice communication
• Engineers are frequently required to move equipment that is heavy or awkward. It will frequently be necessary to move equipment that is heavy, large, and awkward from one level to another. Mechanical lifting devices are provided and must be used as necessary; assistance must be obtained from other members of the crew when appropriate
• Engineers must ascend and descend stairs and ladders, sometimes while transporting tools or objects. They must use portable ladders or stools to allow them to work on systems that are in the overhead section of machinery spaces
• Repairs may require that engineers reach into small, poorly accessible areas of machinery; work on equipment that has pressurized or hot components; secure or segregate systems to provide an adequate safety margin; troubleshoot equipment that is difficult to reach; work in areas that have high noise levels; work below decks in an area that may experience periods of darkness in unusual situations, and work in confined and restricted spaces
• The Engineer must be capable of performing assigned emergency duties without undue danger to oneself or the vessel
• The Engineer must have color vision that allows him/her to safely work on electrical systems that have color-coded wires; distinguish between warning, alarm, and normal operating lights; discern system components that are identifiable by color code and observe basic safety precautions that may be related to color identification

DUTIES

• All gear is to be stowed securely in its proper location when not in use
• All main engine cylinder blow-down valves shall be kept in good working order so that all cylinders can be blown down prior to each starting of the main engines
• Become familiar with and adhere to company policies and procedures
• Become proficient in and assist in line-handling operations
• Daily vessels Engine Logs, Fuel and/or DEF receipts, and fuel or lube requestions need to be emailed daily to engine.logs@gandhtowing.com as soon as possible after midnight. The engineer on the watch will note all tests in the engineer’s diary. The engineer’s diary shall be maintained per the standard established guidelines
• During the monthly fire drill, all emergency equipment will be inspected and or tested, and all deficiencies tf these inspections and/or any abnormal conditions found will be logged in the engineer’s diary, along with the corrective action. On vessel crew change days, this inspection will be coordinated with the master per TSMS Section 3.11, 33 C.F.R 164.80 tests and inspections
• For vessels not implemented in MobileOps: The engine department maintenance checklist, must be completed by the chief engineer and be submitted to the engineering department no later than the 20th of the month due. The checklist is to be completed quarterly and is due in the months of March, June, September, and December
• If the machinery alarm system is inoperable, the engineer will take hourly readings of all systems and record them in the engine log
• If the vessel is operating seaward of the jetties, the above section also applies. This includes transits to Freeport, Corpus Christi, and LNG offshore transits
• If the vessel is underway for a full 24-hour period, multiple sheets will have to be completed with temperature, pressure, rack or fuel position (this pertains to mechanical and electronic engines), exhaust temperature (if equipped), and RPM readings for the main engines and generator engines recorded hourly
• In the event the engineer on watch feels the vessel touch bottom or strike an object, the facts and circumstances surrounding this occurrence will be entered in the engineer’s diary and the OICNW will be promptly notified
• Main engines shall be blown down prior to each starting of the main engines
• Make every effort to ensure that the total hour figure is correct, as routine maintenance plans are based on this figure
• On vessels equipped with emergency bilge suctions, the valves are to be operated weekly, the valve stem oiled, and the packing checked. The access floor plate is to be painted in a contrasting color or labeled.
• On vessels not equipped with an air box drain piping system for the main and or auxiliary engines, the drains are to be kept clear with buckets in place; do not allow drainage to run into the bilge
• Oversee the transfer of necessary fluids including, but to limited to fuel, lube oil, DEF, hydraulic oil, ballast water, and potable water
• Perform routine and emergency repairs to the vessel’s main and auxiliary systems
• Perform scheduled maintenance plans
• Safely and efficiently operate the vessels machinery
• shall be corrected. If monitored by a remote alarm panel, the engineer on watch may monitor the alarms from a location within hearing distance of the panel. If the remote alarm panel is in any way inoperative, the engineer on the watch is to be in an appropriate working area within sight or sound of the engine room at all times when the vessel is underway in the harbor
• Should it become necessary for the vessel to be towed by another vessel, the engineer on the watch is to contact the engineering department for instructions
• The chief engineer is accountable for all engine room tools and equipment.
• The chief engineer is required to comply with this Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) and with all applicable regulations
• The chief engineer is responsible for adhering to the provisions of the certificate of inspection (COI), if applicable.
• The chief engineer is responsible for conducting all oil and fuel transfers per TSMS Section 5.1 Oil Transfer Procedures for that particular vessel.
• The chief engineer is responsible for ensuring all firefighting equipment is in good working condition and shall continually maintain the fire pump and ensure it is always ready for immediate use
• The chief engineer is responsible for maintaining all equipment and, if necessary, for repairing any machinery and equipment on board the vessel, within their capacity. If additional assistance is required, the engineer will notify the company watchstander per TSMS section 4.5 maintenance and repair reporting
• The chief engineer is responsible for maintaining engine room cleanliness by practicing good housekeeping. This includes keeping the engine room neat, clean, and free from slipping or tripping hazards including keeping decks free from oil and fuel
• The chief engineer is responsible for reporting unsafe conditions to the master and for taking early and positive action to prevent accidents
• The chief engineer is responsible for stopping work whenever they feel that the evolution is dangerous and that hazards can be mitigated cannot be mitigated, then they are responsible for implementing stop-work responsibility as outlined in TSMS Section 6.8 Stop Work Responsibility (SWR)
• The chief engineer is responsible for the safety of the crew and for preventing environmental pollution incidents by maintaining and safely operating all vessel machinery
• The chief engineer may be called out on the deck, by the officer in charge of the navigation watch (OICNW), to assist as directed when necessary for the safety of operations or to meet other requirements of the TSMS.
• The chief engineer may be required to stand a lookout in addition to the OICNW, per 46 C.F.R. 140.630.
• The chief engineer must routinely order machinery parts and engine room supplies from the engineering department. Orders for emergency or time-critical items shall be made following the procedures outlined in TSMS Section 4.6 identification of stores and supplies.
• The engine department daily report must be filled out fully and accurately including at least one full set of temperature, pressure, rack or fuel position (this pertains to mechanical and electronic engines), exhaust temperature (if equipped), and RPM readings for main engines and generator engines in a 24-hour period that the vessel is operating in harbor service. Accurate report documentation taken by the engineer on watch provides information that is very important to the operation of the vessel and the engineering department’s preventive maintenance program
• The engineer must check the supply pressure of any fixed fire-extinguishing systems if equipped
• The engineer must complete and forward to the engineering department at the office work orders for all work that is beyond the capability of the engine room personnel; the engineer must keep the master informed of any repairs that may hinder the safe operation of the vessel
• The engineer must complete the engine department daily report each day: Page one of the daily report contains fuel and lube data, along with machinery hours and filter information. The fuel and lube used should be the exact amount, to ensure records are as accurate as possible. All tanks have a calibration chart, and this can be used to keep up with your fuel burn. If any filter or oil changes are performed the date should be changed to reflect the date the activity was performed. Page two through four of the report contains temperature and pressure reading information collected on the given day
• The engineer must make daily inspections of the steering gear and clutch controls, logging statistics, at the beginning of each watch
• The engineer on duty must complete the engine department’s daily report and ensure that the report is maintained accurately and completely. (Note: This report is electronic unless the electronic version is deemed inaccessible, due to special circumstances.) The following standards for maintaining the report must be followed:

1. The engine department daily report must be kept daily, and entries shall be made as soon as possible
2. If a manual report is prepared, due to special circumstances that may render the electronic log inaccessible, then the entries shall be written accurately and legibly in blue or black ink
3. No erasures shall be made to the manual report
4. Any incorrect data or statements must be corrected by drawing a single line through the entry and initialing it

• The engineer on watch shall ensure that the OICNW is made aware of all known aspects of the condition of the vessel and shall be notified immediately of any unsafe condition.
• The engineer on the watch will ensure that their department wears proper shoes and clothing, per this TSMS, and will always require use of proper safety equipment
• The lockout / tag-out procedures per TSMS Appendix A Section A.15 Electrical / Lockout / tag-out procedure must be adhered to when conducting inspections, bypassing safety guards, or servicing systems
• When filling fuel oil day tanks or adding lube oil to the main engine or sump tank, the engineer is not to perform any other duties until either the fuel pump is stopped, or the lube valves are closed

REQUIRED LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

• A U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed as a National Assistant Engineer Limited 6000 HP or greater or a National Designated Duty Engineer Any HP 500 GRT or greater
• A valid medical certificate.
• A Transportation Worker Identification Card
• Minimum endorsement as a National Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Propelled Vessels of less than 500 Gross Register Tons (GRT) without horsepower limitation

We are an equal-opportunity employer and prohibit unlawful discrimination per federal, state, and local laws. We value diversity and are committed to being an inclusive environment for all candidates and employees representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. All employment is based on qualifications. Qualified individuals must be able to perform all the functions listed in the job description with or without reasonable accommodation as based on ADA requirements.