Engine minder

Engine minders perform work related to the deck department of an inland water transport vessel. They use their experience on-board a motorised inland navigation vessel as an ordinary crewmember and have a basic knowledge of engines.

The following job titles also refer to engine minder:

engine minder on vessels
narrowboat crew member
canal narrowboat engine minder
narrow boat crew member
canal boat engine minder
narrowboat engine minder
vessel engine operator
canal boat crew member
canal narrowboat crew member
narrow boat engine minder
on board engine minder
barge crew member
barge engine minder
ship engine operator

A high school diploma is generally required to work as an engine minder.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Engine minder is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to engine minder.

marine mechanic
matrose
decksman
ordinary seaman
container crane operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of engine minder. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of engine minder with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

ship duty engineer
ship assistant engineer
helmsman
air traffic controller
international forwarding operations coordinator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of engine minder.

• Operation of different engines: Know the characteristics, maintenance requirements and operating procedures of various kinds of engines such as gas, diesel, electrical, and engines with steam propulsion plants.
• Vessel fuels: Know and understand characteristics of fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.
• Electrical systems used in transportation: Understand the functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.
• Principles of mechanical engineering: Understand principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Inland waterway ship building: Understand inland waterway ship building and construction. Operate vessel in compliance with construction legislation.
• Principles of combustion engines: Basic knowledge and understanding of different types of engines and their construction and performance.
• Engine components: Know the different engine components, and their operation and maintenance. Understand when repairs and replacement should be undertaken.

These skills are necessary for the role of engine minder.

• Prepare main engines for navigation operations: Prepare and operate main engines for navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow procedure implementation.
• Execute safety assurance exercises: Organise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.
• Moor vessels: Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Operate vessel engine room: Operate and maintain the engine room of vessels. Operate the main engine room where the engine and propulsion machinery are located.
• Clean parts of vessels: Clean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Apply vessel engine regulations: Understand the regulations regarding the vessel engines and apply those regulations in engine maintenance and operation.
• Monitor pumping system operations: Monitor pump works, ballast, and loading pump systems, alongside tracking the required actions of the pumping crew.
• Apply regulations on cargo transport operations: Display knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.
• Prepare engine room for operation: Prepare and start main engine and auxiliary engines; prepare machinery in engine room prior to departure; know and follow starting procedures according to checklist.
• Manage vessel control systems: Know, operate, test and maintain control systems of vessels. Maintain and if necessary repair electronic components of vessel control systems.
• Detect malfunctions in engines: Detect and effectively respond to machinery malfunctions. Take actions in order to prevent material damage; practice damage control.
• Ensure vessel compliance with regulations: Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• Prepare equipment for navigation operations: Prepare and operate main and auxiliary equipment supporting the navigation operations. Set up and monitor checklists and follow implementation procedures.
• Distinguish various types of ships: Recognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport; understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.
• Unmoor vessels: Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.
• Prevent damage to electrical devices on board: Protect on board electrical equipment; identify anomalies and malfunctions in the electro-technology of vessels.
• Maintain vessel engine room: Maintain the engines and engine room equipment of a vessel. Conduct pre-checks prior to departure and ongoing examinations during the voyage.
• Evaluate engine performance: Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of engine minder. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Show confidence: Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one’s own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
• Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
• Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
• Work in a water transport team: Work confidently in a group in water transport services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, maritime safety, and ship maintenance.
• Swim: Move through water by means of the limbs.
• Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.

8350 – Ships’ deck crews and related workers

References

1. Engine minder – ESCO