Marine Electrical

Marine Electrical Engineering Articles

Who is Electro Technical Officer ?

An electro technical officer is one of the important people on a vessel,

The Electro Technical Officer (ETO) is a licensed member of the engine department, as per Section A-III/6 of the STCW Code.

Sometimes called to as the Electrical Engineer or electrician, the Electro-Technical Officer is in charge of all the electrical systems on the ship. The Marine Electrical Engineer is one of the most vital positions in the technical hierarchy of a ship and is responsible for their assigned work under the Chief Engineer’s.

Duties and Responsibility

• Maintenance and working of electrical equipment’s on board

• Working of electrical parts like engine rooms, radio communications, electronic navigation                  needs like echo sounders, Gyro compass, Weather Fax, auto pilot, radar system, Broadcast 

       and internal aerial system, telephone and talk back system and satellite communications

• Look into basic electric needs like refrigeration, bridge systems and control rooms

• Maintenance of emergency systems including emergency switches, fire alarms and detectors

• Vessel’s electrical components like navigational lights, battery backups and electrically                        operated propelling machinery

• Assist chief officer in handling routine works especially related to electrical handling

• During emergencies, an electrical officer plays important role like every other ship officer. You            would be required to handle the emergency situations and ensure all the equipment needed for             safety is always ready

• An electro technical officer looks into electrical and technical aspects on a vessel. Hence                      working of computer controlled machinery would be supervised by an ETO.

• An electrical officer is immensely important on cruise ships and passenger vessels which have            huge electrical requirements and unmanned technology handling them. Everything from                      refrigeration to air conditioning on such vessels would come under your supervision as an                   electro  technical officer. 

knowledge and skills needed to be an ETO

• A foundation degree in electrical/engineering/electrical engineering/marine engineering  field

• An electrical engineering degree- a minimum Bachelor’s level qualification

• Electro technical training like STCW 95 basic safety training course including firefighting, fire            prevention, elementary first aid course training

• ENG1’ seafarer’s medical certificate and/or certification for physical and mental fitness

• Training for handling electrical, navigational and communication equipment

• A course in Electro Technical engineering (optional but not necessary but may come as an                  added advantage)

• As Per New STCW-2010 Manila amendments, Elector technical officer has to obtain certificate        of competency from Maritime Authorities  by applying for exams conducted by them.