The duties of a 4th engineer are set according to the policies of major shipping firms. Additionally, seafarers joining any vessel have to be properly qualified and experienced. Joining a ship being a fourth engineer is the first step toward a sailing career on the ship. Additionally, it is only after taking up a job as a fourth engineer that a mariner experiences real work on a ship.
Though a fourth engineer, prior joining the ship has cleared the needed exams and training courses. Moreover, it is appreciated that the training part becomes a continuous process and there is always a requirement for refresher work and periodical safety education.
Duties of 4th Engineer by Default
On all types of ships, regardless of the shipping company, a 4th engineer has to report to the 2nd Engineer, who has to assign the tasks to him, both at sea also at port, and whose directions he or she shall consider effective and binding as though coming from the Chief Engineer. Moreover, the 4th engineer needs to also assist the 2nd engineer when needed in carrying out the work of the latter.
Duties of 4th Engineer upon joining a Vessel
A 4th engineer, when joining a vessel, should carry out the following duties.
- Upon joining a ship, the relieving 4th engineer shall report he is on duty on board to the Chief Engineer or if he is not there to the 2nd Engineer.
- The 4th engineer has to take a proper round of the engine department with the signing off engineer and do a professional taking over of the duties.
- He should check the inventory and placement of all purifier and compressor spares.
- The engineer should check the Inventory and location of pumps spares and tools.
- They need to check the running hours and maintenance schedule of their designated machinery.
- An engineer will check the general condition of the machinery. Additionally, special procedures for operation.
- The condition and design of the bunkering system including valve operation, tanks, and sounding pipe placement should be checked.
- Condition and design of sludge and bilge discharge system including valves and pump operation needs also to be checked.
- Thorough sounding of the right fuel tanks, bilge, and sludge tank should be taken.
- Daily use of lube oil, fuel oil, marine diesel or gas oil, and cylinder oil for regular record keeping in the sounding log is to be checked.
- Daily production of bilge and waste on board for record keeping of waste water sounding log.
After ending of the engine room round together. Furthermore, the 4th engineer would report the details to the 2nd engineer thne notify discrepancies noticed, if any.
The 4th Engineer as in running the Purifier
Compressor, and machinery other than the lead engine, auxiliary engine lastly boiler, is responsible for:
- Record keeping of machinery working hours under his charge.
- For carrying out routine maintenance routine under the control and guidance of chief or second engineer.
- Going for daily tank sounding of fuel oil, diesel fuel, lube and cylinder oil on the ship and record keeping of the same.
- Record keeping of sludge and bilge on board.
- Working as an assistant in charge to chief engineer for operation during bunker of fuel, diesel, and lube oil.
- Finishing the month-end official papers for his designated machinery.
- Obeying of environment policy and MARPOL requirements under the guidance of the Chief Engineer.
- Checking and up keeping of the engine room log book and all those files on board guided by the Chief Engineer.
The above-said duties are the basic requirements for any 4th engineer going on board. Additionally, duties might be subtracted or added on the basis of the kind of the ship and shipping company.
