Job Description: Chief Engineer
Coastal Shipping Limited operates a fleet of oil tankers, delivering vital fuel to Arctic and Labrador Coastal Ports. Established in 1973, we have expanded from Newfoundland and Labrador to global operations. We pride ourselves on servicing remote communities and charter work while adhering to high environmental standards. Navigate the Arctic and coastal waters of Canada, with overseas opportunities in Europe.
We offer seasonal full time employment aboard Coastal Shipping vessels
1. Competitive salary
2. Company-paid group RRP plan
3. Comprehensive health, dental, and extended health plan (including long-term disability and employee life insurance)
4. Advanced training and professional development/incentive programs
Job Description
The Chief Engineer is responsible to the Master for the supervision, administration and economical operation of the vessel’s machinery. This is to include fault finding/diagnosis to the lowest possible root cause and coordinate with the Technical Department to affect repair if practicable. Along with the chief officer he is also responsible to master for the correct operation of all deck machinery, this is to include but not limited to winches, windlass’s, cargo equipment and propulsion systems for the work boat. He may delegate this work to staff on board including electricians, (if available), and /or any staff within the engine room as he deems appropriate. He should keep himself fully informed at all times of the activities of his department and personally supervise any work he considers to be of a hazardous or operationally complex nature.
Records
The Chief Engineer assumes custody of all Engineering Department records, “as-built” or “as-fitted” drawings and manufacturer’s instructions. He/she is also responsible for ensuring that Engineering Watch Officers are instructed in their Watchkeeping duties and responsibilities and maintain an accurate Engine Log Book and comply with the requirements of the Oil Record Book in accordance with guidance in MEPC_1_Circ.736_rev2 and local port pollution requirements. The Chief Engineer shall keep himself fully informed at all times, of the activities of his department and he shall personally supervise any work he considers to be of hazardous nature and shall see that all safety regulations are in effect. The Chief Engineer shall keep himself fully informed of and comply with Government rules and regulations, Classification Society rules, Air and Sea Pollution regulations, and IMO recommendations.
Procedures and Standing Orders
The Chief Engineer is to issue standing orders to supplement the instructions contained in this manual. These instructions should be posted on bulkhead and signed by all current Engineering Officers. In addition, the Chief Engineer is to develop procedures for regular Engine Room tasks specific to his/her vessel to augment the procedures in this manual. Procedures should include but not limited to:
Starting and stopping of engines, generators, boilers and other machinery;
Change-overs for generators, pumps, purifiers, and other redundant systems including guidance on how to distribute ware between parallel systems;
General Watchkeeping guidelines including, rounds, communication with the Bridge and other duties expected of junior Engineers;
Checklists and requirements for 1-hour notice, confined waters sailing, cargo operations, and other regular vessel operations.
The Chief Engineer is also to create and maintain a list of critical equipment specific to the vessel. Each time a Chief Engineer joins the vessel, he/she should ensure the list is up-to-date.
Alternate Vessel Security Officer
If specified by the Vessel Security Plan, the Chief Engineer may be designated the alternate Vessel Security Officer to the Master. The Chief Engineer must establish if he/she is responsible for this role when boarding the vessel and is responsible for carrying out the full duties of the Vessel Security Officer in the absence of the Master, or assisting with the duties as requested by the primary Vessel Security Officer.
Lube Oil Sampling
The Chief Engineer is responsible for submitting, semi-annually or more often if required, to the appropriate oil analysis facility, a sample of each of the lubricating oils used in the main engine sump, the stern tube, and auxiliary generating equipment sumps, before and after purifier and any other oil lubricated equipment or machinery deemed necessary.
Inspections
The Chief Engineer is to make frequent inspections of all machinery spaces, when the machinery is operating including daily inspections of the stores and machine shop, correcting unsafe practices and noting any repairs required. He/she is to ensure the organization and cosmetic appearance of the Engine Room and Store Rooms is maintained, that all part of the vessel under his/her jurisdiction are secured for sea prior to departure, and escape trunks/hatches and fire and safety equipment remain accessible at all times.
The Chief Engineer will be available to accompany the Master during his/her weekly inspections.
Maintenance
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all machinery aboard the vessel. This includes keeping informed of any maintenance programs due or in progress, and maintaining an accurate logbook of repairs completed by crew.
The Chief Engineer is to personally supervise the carrying out of all Main Engine work and ensure that all clearance readings and operating pressures are in accordance with the manufacturers manual for the engine. In supervising this work he is to adhere to the manufacturers procedure for the conduct of the work and ensure that when machinery is reassembled the manufactures clearances and tolerance are correct.
The Chief Engineer is to supervise the maintenance activities of all Engineers. He is to ensure that work is carried out in accordance with manufacturers handbooks and that all readings are taken and recorded correctly. Machinery is to be returned to manufacturers recommended clearances after each overhaul. The Chief Engineer is to arrange for all piping and structure repairs that can be carried out on board to be carried out to good engineering practice and pressure tests, where applicable and are conducted safely.
The Chief Engineer is also responsible for monitoring when surveys and inspections are due and ensuring that the machinery is prepared and that sufficient personnel are available to carry out these surveys in coordination with the Engineering Superintendent. The Chief Engineer will be prepared to assist Flag State and Class surveyors at all times.
During the company’s winter refit season, the Chief Engineer is responsible for completing a Weekly Work Report for the engineering department.
Asbestos Management
The Chief Engineer is responsible ensuring asbestos is effectively managed onboard the vessel particularly in the Engine Room. Asbestos management includes the following responsibilities:
Working with shore side purchasing agents to ensure stores and parts that may potentially contain asbestos are delivered with asbestos free certificates;
Ensuring known asbestos onboard is appropriately labelled;
Providing direction to junior personnel when working in the vicinity of know asbestos to protect themselves;
Arranging with General manager to have asbestos properly removed if work is required on materials or equipment containing asbestos.
Environmental Protection
The Chief Engineer must ensure that the oily water separator and sewage system are maintained in the correct working order and operating personnel are familiar with “oily water separator routine” and IMO and Coastal States requirements.
The Chief Engineer is also responsible for proper handling of Engine Room garbage and the emission of combustion products from the ship’s funnel.
Storing
The Chief Engineer is to ensure that the Engineering Department is adequately manned, stored and equipped and that sufficient bunkers, lubricating oil, spare parts, chemicals, and potable water required for the voyage are aboard. A report showing the fuel and water consumed and on hand, together with other Engineering Department information should be submitted to the Master daily.
The Chief Engineer should work with the Master to allow a safety margin for consumables. For bunker fuel on long ocean passages of five days steaming at normal service speed for the main engine and five days diesel for the generators. For short passages, two days steaming at normal service speed is required for main engine fuel and two days diesel for the generators. Additional reserves of bunkers should be allowed for voyages undertaken, or partly undertaken, in ice-infested waters. Where a common fuel is used for the main engines and generators, the consumption figures should be added together to obtain the bunkers required. Allowance should also be made for any cargo heating, tank washing, anticipated weather conditions and the like.
One of the major responsibilities of the Master and the Chief Engineer is to operate the ship in a fuel-efficient manner. Both the Master and the Chief Engineer must co-operate to produce a successful, joint effort in keeping down fuel expenses.
Tank/Hold Inspections
In co-operation with the Chief Officer, the Chief Engineer is to fully inspect cargo spaces, ballast tanks and fuel tanks as required by Section 6.10 of this manual.
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the total containment in the ship’s tanks of all oil fuel, lubrications and chemicals. He should regularly check the tanks for leakage and test heating coils where necessary.
Defects
The Chief Engineer is responsible for completing, submitting and filing all defect reports regardless of the department affected. During the sailing season, all equipment failures, breakdowns, or reductions in operational capacity that cannot be repaired by the vessel’s crew with the resources available onboard shall have a Defect report completed according to the procedures identified in Section 10.5 of the Safety Management System Manual.
The Chief Engineer shall immediately inform the Master and Coastal Shipping Limited of any machinery damage, which affects the seaworthiness of the vessel, engine revolutions, possible delay or need of outside assistance in effecting repairs. He must at all times control labour and overtime for both operational and maintenance purposes.
Crew Performance Reports
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the appraisal of his/her Officers’ skills, abilities and attitudes and should assign duties to assistants consistent with their abilities to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Engineering Department. Coastal Shipping Limited requires regular reports from the Chief Engineer relating to the Engineers and crew onboard the vessel to assess their individual performances. Crew Performance Reports are completed by the Chief Engineer at the end of each crewmember’s tour of duty or at the end of his/her own tour of duty for the following positions:
Second Engineer;
Watchkeeping Engineers;
Oilers;
Electrical Officers;
Engine Room Cadets.
Completed Crew Performance Reports are reviewed with the crewmember, signed by the crewmember and the Chief Engineer, and submitted to the Master.
Additional Duties
On vessels where a dedicated Electrical Officer is not available or embarked as part of the vessel’s normal complement, the Chief Engineer is to delegate the responsibilities to other Engineering Department staff in accordance with their levels of experience and abilities. The Chief Engineer shall submit meggar readings of the main and auxiliary machinery to the Engineering Superintendent every twelve months as per planned maintenance system.
The Chief Engineer is responsible to the Master for assignment of duties and training of all Junior Engineering Officers, ensuring proficiency in their assigned engineering duties, emergency drills and procedures. He is also responsible for the training of all unlicensed personnel assigned to performing engineering work, ensuring that they are properly instructed and comply with the relevant safe working practices.
Reporting
Each month a report is sent from the vessel covering the status and condition of the machinery onboard the vessel. This report is to include the following:
Technical Report
Planned Maintenance Update
Safety Checklist
List of outstanding Defect Reports
Requisition Report
The Vessel Monthly Report is completed in collaboration with the Master using the Vessel Monthly Report form and it is sent by email to technical@woodwards.nf.ca and safety@woodwards.nf.ca.
The Chief Engineer shall promptly inform the Master and Engineering Superintendent of any critical machinery damage involving seaworthiness of the ship, engine revolutions, possible delay or need of outside assistance in effecting repair. Emergency or urgently needed repairs are to be requested by telephone to the Engineering Superintendent. This is to be followed up by e-mail.
Handovers
The Chief Engineer is to complete a written handover covering each of his/her responsibilities when departing the ship. Two days prior to the Chief Engineer’s scheduled debarkation from the vessel, a draft version of the handover notes are to be submitted to technical@woodwards.nf.ca to allow the Vessel’s Technical Superintendent to review and provide clarification as needed.
The incoming and outgoing Chief Engineer should review the condition of the engine room with a particular focus on machinery maintenance, the orders for the upcoming voyage, and the written handover notes together before the outgoing officer departs. The written handover notes shall be submitted by email to technical@woodwards.nf.ca and filed on board the vessel by the incoming Chief Engineer.
In the event the Chief Engineer is not being immediately relieved, this handover process must still be completed.
Regular Duties
Daily
Review and sign Engine Room logbook
Inspect machinery spaces, stores and work shops
Leave night orders for Watchkeeping engineers (as required)
Review and sign UMS checklist (as required)
Monitor hours of rest for engine room crew
Keep PMS updated
Weekly
Update running hours for equipment in PMS
Complete and submit Weekly Report for engine department (during refit season)
Monthly
Complete in collaboration with the Master the Vessel Monthly Report
Complete and submit Monthly Requisition Report
Review PMS and update as required
Semi-Annually (6-months)
Take and submit oil samples for testing
Annually
Complete and submit meggar readings for all machinery
Per Voyage
Ensure adequate water, bunker and stores are available for the voyage
Per tour of duty
Test OWS and record in Oil Record Book (to be completed 4 times a year)
Verify the list of Critical Equipment is up-to-date
Verify start-up, shut-down and change-over procedures are complete
Complete the CE handover checklist and submit with handover notes
As Required
Complete and submit Crew Performance Reports
Sign Confined Space Entry, Hot Work, and Working Aloft Permits
Create and submit defect reports
Update Oil Record Book
Required Skills and Qualifications:
First Class Engineer Certificate of Competency
STCW Basic Safety/Survival Craft/Advanced Fire
Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations A-V/1-1-2
Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations A-V/1-1-3
Ship Personnel with Designated Security Duties
Transport Canada Marine Medical
Marine Advanced First Aid
Additional Requirements:
Experience in Arctic and remote area navigation is preferred
Please email your application to crewing@woodwards.nf.ca or APPLY HERE – Application Portal
Join us at Coastal Shipping Limited to be part of a dedicated team serving essential communities in challenging environments. We look forward to exploring how your skills and experience align with our mission.
