| lor: #ffffff;" /> | | | | qualifications. |
| You may have noticed that in the manning section of | | | | As the Assistant Engineer can be a dual role position, |
| the Large Yacht Code (LY2) there is a new grade of | | | | a by-product of this change is a reduction in the |
| engineer which was not mentioned in the old code, | | | | salary bill whilst maintaining an acceptable standard of |
| that of ‘Assistant Engineer’. | | | | engineering expertise on board. This is important |
| So……. | | | | particularly on smaller yachts where no increase in |
| What is an Assistant Engineer? | | | | actual numbers is required but engineering expertise is |
| Why did the MCA introduce this role? | | | | enhanced. |
| What qualification do you need to be one? | | | | What qualification do you need to be one.? |
| What is it? | | | | Those who have been required by an MCA inspection |
| The concept of an Assistant Engineer was not | | | | to get an Assistant Engineer will know that nowhere |
| invented for the yachting industry but has been | | | | does it say exactly what qualifications are needed for |
| adapted from merchant navy practice. The Assistant | | | | this role! This is because LY2 is relatively new and |
| Engineer is someone carried in the complement of a | | | | MGN 156, which would normally have this information, |
| yacht who, though not certified to be responsible for | | | | is too old. By calling the MCA you can find out that in |
| the operation and maintenance of plant, has enough | | | | fact the Approved Engine Course and the MEOL (Y) |
| knowledge to be of use to the Chief Engineer in | | | | are the two key requirements depending on the |
| carrying out many routine operations such as | | | | engine power of the yacht and where it wants to |
| changing filters, transferring liquids, doing routine | | | | go. Obviously general service merchant navy |
| maintenance tasks, starting and stopping machinery. | | | | qualifications are also accepted, |
| It is also intended that if anything were to happen to | | | | I have suggested to the MCA that they rename the |
| the Chief Engineer then the Assistant would have | | | | Approved Engine Course the Assistant |
| enough knowledge to get the yacht safely back in to | | | | Engineer’s Course because the existing title |
| harbour. | | | | does not describe adequately the course content |
| It is important to remember this role is only intended | | | | which does not just concern engines. Keeping the |
| for yachts operating with an Unmanned Machinery | | | | initials the same will also save me from having to |
| Space (UMS): vessels requiring traditional | | | | reprint our publicity! The table below gives guidance |
| watchkeeping will have to carry a minimum of two | | | | on what qualifications could be required for the |
| STCW qualified engineers. The person holding this | | | | Assistant Engineer under various circumstances. |
| position does not necessarily need to be someone | | | | Always bear in mind that these tables in LY2 and in |
| who actually works full time in the Engineering | | | | MGNs were not handed down to the Chief Examiner |
| Department, they could be a deck hand, the mate or | | | | on marble tablets, like Moses on the mountain. Often |
| someone from another department. Deck candidates | | | | this is misunderstood by senior crew and managers; |
| take note, however, that in their case the service | | | | they are GUIDANCE and can be varied, either relaxed |
| credited will not be counted at full rate but will be | | | | or toughened in particular circumstances. A good |
| split equally between deck and engineering service. | | | | example of this has already been mentioned: a yacht |
| Why did the MCA introduce this role? | | | | requiring a permanently staffed engine room would |
| The MCA considered that there was a need to | | | | not be allowed to run with an Assistant Engineer |
| enhance the Engineering Department in the smaller | | | | whatever it says on tables like the one below. |
| yachts, and it was also recognised that on the larger | | | | The Master of a yacht, not the Chief Examiner, is |
| yachts, with UMS, operating on coastal voyages the | | | | responsible for the safe manning of the vessel, so if |
| Second Engineer was not being fully employed and | | | | he or she is in any doubt they should ask for an |
| could be safely replaced with an Assistant Engineer. | | | | opinion from the Seafarer’s Training and |
| By using an Assistant Engineer in these positions a | | | | Certification department of the MCA. |
| pathway is opened to enable holders of AEC and | | | | This table is an assimilation of LY2 and the current |
| MEOL(Y) (see below) to gain useful experience on | | | | interpretation of engineering manning rules. |
| larger yachts on their way to gaining their Y4 | | | | |