Engine Hand (Excluding Fishing Vessels)
きかんしゅ（ぎょりょうせんをのぞく）
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
Technical job in the engine room of merchant ships, operating, monitoring, and maintaining main engines, generators, etc., to support safe navigation.
Description
Engine hands work in the engine rooms of merchant ships such as passenger ships and cargo ships, handling the operation, monitoring, and maintenance inspection of main engines, generators, and various auxiliary machinery. They perform regular maintenance, initial responses to abnormalities, management of fuel and lubricating oil, record creation, and safety management tasks. They continuously monitor equipment even at night or in bad weather, collaborating with other crew members to maintain safe navigation.
Future Outlook
Demand for maritime cargo transportation and cruise ships is leading to a particularly severe labor shortage. While there are moves toward labor-saving technologies, demand for skilled technicians is expected to remain stably high.
Personality Traits
Attentive / Calm and composed / Cooperative / Strong sense of responsibility
Work Style
Career Path
Apprentice Engine Hand → Engine Hand → Second-Class Marine Technical Officer (Engine) → First-Class Marine Technical Officer (Engine) → Chief Engineer
Required Skills
Inspection and Maintenance of Engine Room Equipment / Operation and Monitoring of Main and Auxiliary Engines / Preparation of Records and Reports / Safety Management Knowledge / Troubleshooting
Recommended Skills
Basic Knowledge of Electrical Equipment / Boiler Maintenance / Communication Skills (English) / Welding and Piping Technology
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Accuracy in not missing subtle abnormalities in equipment is required. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Involves a lot of standing work and heavy labor in narrow engine rooms, requiring physical stamina. |
| Problem Solving | Due to the need for quick judgment and response in case of failures. |
| Stress Tolerance | Need to maintain composure in high-pressure situations such as emergency responses during voyages. |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | Necessary to collaborate with other crew members to support safe navigation. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Creativity & Ideation | Technical procedures are manualized, and the frequency of creative thinking is low. |
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | No complex mathematical analysis required; mainly involves reading basic measurement values. |
Aliases
- Ship Engineer
Related Jobs
- Chief Ship Engineer
- Deck Crew
- Navigator