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