The role of an oiler or motorman on a ship is vital, as the person holding this position is responsible for the maintenance of the engine room machinery. For a ship to operate efficiently and safely, all its systems must be properly maintained, cleaned, and taken care of every single day to avoid the buildup of dust, dirt, grease or prevent the lack of lubrication. Image for representation purposes only Duties of a Motorman or Oiler on a Ship A motorman or oiler in the merchant navy has several duties and responsibilities, including- Ensuring the engine room is neat and the equipment is working properly. Inspecting the machinery regularly for any faults or repairs. Keeping a record of the work done and reporting the findings to the duty engineer. Properly oiling or greasing the equipment to enable smooth operations. Complete all the repair and maintenance work within a given time frame. Verify that all the maintenance operations are conducted safely. Ordering tools, replacing parts as needed and keeping a record of the same. Handle Garbage in the engine room, per the procedures. Responsible for housekeeping in engine workshops, stores and lockers. Assist in mooring/unmooring if needed. Help duty engineers with watchkeeping duties. An oiler seaman’s role becomes even more significant on a UMS (unmanned machinery spaces) ship at sea since there is nobody to monitor the engine room. Hence, the motorman has to be vigilant. In case of emergencies such as equipment failure, flooding or fire, oilers have emergency response responsibility and are a part of the emergency response team. They have to check the equipment, detect the fault, and ensure the safety of the vessel and other crew members. Technological advancements are changing the landscape of the maritime sector as the engine room, once equipped with mechanical machines, is now more sophisticated, automated and digitised. While engineers have to learn and adapt to these changes, oilers or motormen also need to evolve and grasp these new technologies to improve their efficiency. Working Hours of a Motorman in the Merchant Navy An oiler or motorman in the merchant navy is involved in heavy and labourious work. The working environment is challenging, with exposure to heat and noise. Sometimes, the tasks could get unpleasant, for instance, if there is a leakage in a fuel tank. However, this work is important for the safe operation of a ship, making the role of a motorman quite significant. The typical work hours range from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. and from 11:00 pm to 12:00 am for a safety inspection of the engine room. When the ship is at port, the shifts change to 4 hours and 8 hours off, with an additional 4 hours of overtime during the day. How To Become A Motorman In the Merchant Navy? To work as a motorman/oiler on a merchant vessel, one must have basic training and certification. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) provides the requirements, which can be supplemented with extra ship-specific STCW courses, like a tanker safety course. The STCW covers aspects including personal safety, first aid, fire prevention and firefighting, and personal survival techniques. Additionally, depending on the ship type and the requirements of a shipping company, additional engine-related certifications may also be needed. There are different types of ships, including cargo ships, tankers, bulk carriers, and cruise ships, and each requi