Need for Onboard Electrical officer / Electro-Technical Officer, an Expert in Electrical-Instrumentation-Automation
When it comes to cargo or passenger ships, the operations depend extensively on their machinery and navigation system which are controlled by several electrical and electronic components. A maritime professional must operate, maintain and calibrate all electrical, electronic and ships equipment on a regular basis.
It is not just restricted to the engine room and but also require working on complex systems located throughout the vessel including bridge. Therefore imperative for maritime professionals to understand the functioning, symbology and operations of different electrical components used on ships.
Many electrical and electronic system onboard is a complex circuit difficult to understand and maintenance and troubleshooting of Marine electrical systems, is a vital role on board ship.
Most of the ship board machineries are combination of mechanical, electrical instrumentation integrated systems. A lot of automated systems involved with various ship board machineries in modern ships, which needs to be maintained, operated and handled by knowledgeable experts as they control various critical equipment and machinery ex. Navigational equipment such as Gyro Compass – Steering Gear- Auto Pilot. Marine Electrical officer are perfect for such jobs and that’s why they hold an important role on ship and in offshore industry.
Hence, the shipping industry is aware that electrical and electronic system requires extra attention and therefore require an expert to attend them. Hence, Electrical officer is one of the most responsible post in the technical hierarchy of a ship and functioning under the directions of ship’s Chief Engineer.
Evolution of ETO post
As the technology is advancing, more and more automations and electronic circuit is replacing conventional and electrical systems. Hence the international Maritime Organization (IMO) brought amendments on 25th June 2010 termed as Manila amendment, to introduce a certified position of Electro technical officer (ETO) in place of electrical officer.
The Responsibilities & Duties of Electrical engineer or Electro technical officer
- He is responsible for maintenance of all the electrical motors on ship i.e. in Engine room and on Deck.
- He is in-charge of maintenance of all main and Emergency switchboards.
- He is responsible for maintenance of fire detectors and fire alarm system.
- He has to maintain all the ship’s alarm system.
- He is responsible for the electronic system fitted onboard ship.
- He is responsible for the ship’s navigational lights and other navigational equipment.
- He is responsible for all the batteries that are connected to machineries onboard.
- He is responsible for maintaining refrigeration unit in the engine room
- He has to take care of air conditioning unit of the Ship.
- Electrical officer is responsible for maintaining refrigerated containers carried on container ship.
- He is responsible for cargo gears and engine room cranes electrical system.
- He has to carry out routine maintenance for main engine alarms and trips along with the chief engineer.
- During the time of maneuvering, he has to be present in the engine room along with other engineers to tackle any kind of electrical and other emergencies.
- Electrical officer can assist in watch keeping routines at desired time by the chief engineer.
- He has to assist ship’s engineer and deck officer in all kind of electrical problems.
Due to technicalities and complex knowledge requirement of the electrical and electronic system, Electro Technical Officers (ETO) extensively needed in the shipping industry.
How my course structured?
As per the curriculum framework commonly at global level by the Maritime Regulator, IMO, This is a 17 weeks of fully residential pre-sea training course. This course will train candidates to take on the role of Electro Technical Officer aboard Merchant Ships. Talking about the course content, it mainly covers topics such as Marine Electrical Systems, Marine Electronics Systems, Basics of Marine Engineering, Fire Prevention and Safety Technology.
Towards ensuring sufficiency of competence for enabling job performance by trained cadets, at Sri Nandhanam Maritime Academy, additional courses over and above syllabus is being taught. These include training in electrical panel designing, Electrical CADD and Facility/ Building Automation Systems. Further, globally recognized Corporate Certifications are facilitated towards display of Cadets credibility for preferences in job selection. This includes HV Switchgear Training at L&T facility and Marine Automation Training by Honeywell. Approximately, course gets extended by additional four weeks towards completion of this training excluding internships/ externships.
What next after my Course?
After completing the course, one may take up the post of Trainee Electro Technical Officer aboard Merchant Navy ships and then promoted as Electro-Technical Officer. Salary starts as stipend for Training, which depends on different factors like- profile of the employer, Grades attained by candidate etc. It is generally around Rs.40000/- per month initially. In general, trained ETOs receive upto US$ 5000 or more as monthly salary.
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