What is it?
The strategy of an Assistant Engineer was not invented for the yachting industry but has been adapted from merchant navy exercise. The Assistant Engineer is someone carried in the complement of a yacht who, nevertheless not qualified to be liable for the operation and routine maintenance of plant, has sufficient information to be of use to the Main Engineer in carrying out several routine operations this sort of as modifying filters, transferring liquids, doing regimen upkeep jobs, starting off and halting equipment. It is also intended that if nearly anything were to come about to the Main Engineer then the Assistant would have sufficient understanding to get the yacht properly back in to harbour.
It is important to recall this purpose is only intended for yachts running with an Unmanned Machinery House (UMS): vessels requiring classic watchkeeping will have to carry a minimum amount of two STCW qualified engineers. The man or woman keeping this posture does not necessarily want to be a person who really works whole time in the Engineering Office, they could be a deck hand, the mate or another person from a different department. Deck candidates get take note, having said that, that in their case the service credited will not be counted at total rate but will be break up similarly involving deck and engineering support.
Why did the MCA introduce this function?
The MCA deemed that there was a require to enhance the Engineering Office in the lesser yachts, and it was also recognised that on the larger yachts, with UMS, functioning on coastal voyages the Next Engineer was not becoming thoroughly utilized and could be safely and securely replaced with an Assistant Engineer.
By utilizing an Assistant Engineer in these positions a pathway is opened to allow holders of AEC and MEOL(Y) (see down below) to gain helpful knowledge on greater yachts on their way to attaining their Y4 skills.
As the Assistant Engineer can be a dual function place, a by-product or service of this improve is a reduction in the wage invoice while maintaining an acceptable regular of engineering know-how on board. This is important particularly on smaller sized yachts wherever no raise in real quantities is needed but engineering expertise is increased.
What qualification do you require to be one particular.?
People who have been essential by an MCA inspection to get an Assistant Engineer will know that nowhere does it say just what qualifications are wanted for this position! This is due to the fact LY2 is relatively new and MGN 156, which would normally have this information and facts, is also old. By contacting the MCA you can obtain out that in fact the Authorised Engine Class and the MEOL (Y) are the two important needs depending on the engine energy of the yacht and wherever it wants to go. Of course standard service service provider navy qualifications are also accepted,
I have prompt to the MCA that they rename the Approved Motor Training course the Assistant Engineer’s Program mainly because the current title does not describe sufficiently the class articles which does not just problem engines. Trying to keep the initials the similar will also help save me from getting to reprint our publicity! The desk under presents steerage on what skills could be essential for the Assistant Engineer underneath various situation. Often bear in intellect that these tables in LY2 and in MGNs were being not handed down to the Chief Examiner on marble tablets, like Moses on the mountain. Normally this is misunderstood by senior crew and professionals they are Steerage and can be various, possibly comfortable or toughened in unique conditions. A excellent illustration of this has by now been pointed out: a yacht demanding a completely staffed engine area would not be allowed to run with an Assistant Engineer whatever it claims on tables like the one beneath.
The Learn of a yacht, not the Chief Examiner, is responsible for the protected manning of the vessel, so if he or she is in any doubt they ought to question for an opinion from the Seafarer’s Education and Certification division of the MCA.
This table is an assimilation of LY2 and the recent interpretation of engineering manning rules. Recall it is only applicable to vessels where by the motor room is operated on an UMS basis.
