View source for Fourth engineer

{{More citations needed|date=October 2008}}
A '''fourth engineer''' or '''third assistant engineer''' is the most Junior [[engine officer]] in the [[engine department]] of a [[merchant vessel]].

== Summary ==
{{Infobox shipping job|name=Fourth engineer|othernames=Third assistant engineer|photo=|photo legend=|department=[[Engine department]]|licensed=Yes [[Merchant Mariner Credential]]|reports-to=[[Chief engineer]], [[second engineer]], [[third engineer]]|epoch=|location=|duties=Daily maintenance and operation in the engine department|requirements=Completed 4 year course at academy or complete exams as unlicensed engineer with required sea time|watchstander=Depends on manned or unmanned engine room, may be called in to do security watches when in port|watch-at-sea=Engine room on board ships|watch-in-port=Engine room, security checkpoint|watch-at-sea-time=2000-0000, 0000-0400, 0400-0800, 0800-1200, 1200-1600, 1600-1800, 1800-2000|watch-in-port-time=1600-2400}}

A third assistant engineer’s license is by a [[Maritime Administration]] in accordance with the [[STCW Convention|International Convention on the Standards and Training of Watchkeepers]] that allows the recipient to work on board any vessel up to the rank of a fourth engineer or below. Third assistant engineers do most of the general labor among the officers, as well as leading the [[Oiler (occupation)|oilers]] and other engine room crew. Depending on the style of ship, company, and other factors, they are called "the third" or "the fourth," usually stand a watch and sometimes assist the [[third mate]] in maintaining proper operation of the [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]]. 

This [[Merchant Mariner Credential|credential]], is earned by [[cadets]] who complete engineering training at an authorised [[List of maritime colleges|maritime academy]]. 

American 3rd assistant engineers can receive an optional commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve.<ref name="BLS">{{cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos247.pdf|title=Water Transportation Occupations|author=Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S.A.)|author-link=Bureau of Labor Statistics|year=2007|work=Occupational Outlook Handbook|publisher=Government Printing Office|access-date=2008-10-14}}</ref> With experience and additional training, third officers may qualify for higher rank.

== Duties ==
The general duties for a third assistant engineer (fourth engineer) differ from ship to ship. Generally speaking, third assistant engineers are tasked with controlling the main propulsion systems, water systems, purifiers, air compressors, sewage treatment plant, fresh water generator, actively involving in bunkering operation, record keeping of fuel tanks sounding as instructed by chief engineer and anything else tasked to them from up in the chain of command. A third assistant engineer (fourth engineer) is part of the engine company’s chain of command. The top of this chain of command is the [[Chief engineer]] (or first engineer), who is in command of engine room and auxiliary areas that would relate. Then comes the first assistant engineer, or [[second engineer]], second assistant engineer ([[third engineer]], and then the third assistant engineer, or fourth engineer. These are the officers within the engine company of a standard ship.

The third assistant engineer is in charge of keeping the plant in operation, with command being passed down and being delegated by whomever is on watch. They are trained to be competent in a wide variety of fields such as [[Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning|HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)]], electronics, [[hydraulics]], [[engine room]] auxiliary machinery and the operation and maintenance of both steam and diesel propulsion plants. Duties will vary from ship to ship, but the Fourth Engineer is expected to handle tasks in all areas of the ship. As with all seafarers, the third assistant engineer is an integral part of the emergency response with critical technical knowledge.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=red book of marine engineering|last=brown patterson|first=william|year=1962}}</ref> 
== Training ==
The rank of third assistant engineer can be earned by one of two ways, either through training and an approved cadetship program or by advancing from an engine room rating, colloquially termed [[hawsepiper|hawsepiping]]. Both tracks require the individual to complete specific training in order to meet the requirements set out by STCW Convention.<ref name=":1" /> 

Engineer officers, as with all merchant seaman, are required to complete basic safety training. This may include training in [[Firefighting]], Damage control, [[First Aid]], and survival. <ref>STCW Part VI</ref>

== Unions and Professional Organizations ==
U.S. maritime licensed and non-licensed crew are mandated to be part of one of many of the unions. The maritime industry is a closed shop style of union. There are two primary Unions that a third assistant engineer (fourth engineer) may become associated with, the [[Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association]] and [[American Maritime Officers]]. These unions protect the maritime industry by protecting the workers and amassing the billets for maritime workers to take for jobs. Most of these billets run for 30, 60, or 90 days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.amo-union.org/Article.aspx?code=AboutAMO|title=American Maritime Officers - AMO|website=www.amo-union.org|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref>

The [[Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology]] is an international professional organisation that represents seagoing and shoreside Officers and Professionals in the wider [[Marine Engineering]] community.<ref>{{cite web |author1=IMarEST |title=About Us |url=https://www.imarest.org/about-imarest |website=IMarEST |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307093429/https://www.imarest.org/about-imarest |archive-date=7 March 2023}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Transport}}
*[[Seafarer's professions and ranks]]
*[[Engine room]]
*[[Engine department]]

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/hdo/htm/engnr_ship.htm |title=Ship-Engineer (Machinist) |access-date=2007-05-26 |author=International Labour Organization |author-link=International Labour Organization  |date=2000-12-05 |work= International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation}}
*{{cite book
 | author =International Maritime Organization
 | author-link = International Maritime Organization
 | title = International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
 | orig-year =1978
 | url = http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/stcw-code-intro.htm
 | year = 1995
 | pages = Section A–III/1
 | chapter = III: Standards Regarding the Engine Department
 | chapter-url = http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/stcw-code-ach3.htm
 | no-pp =true
 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705015707/http://www.womenoceanographers.org/Default.aspx?pid=E1E3254E-1C80-4e6d-ABBF-1EC5F5436C3E&id=DebbyRamsey Description at WomenOceanographers.org]
*[http://www.whoi.edu/services/HR/jobdescp/marine/3rd_asst_eng.html Job Description] at WHOI
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021026210213/http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/groups/2274.shtml Job Description] at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030428012255/http://www.marina.gov.ph/policy/mc/mc126.htm Job Description] at Maritime Industry Authority Philippines
{{Merchant Marine Billets}}

[[Category:Nautical terminology]]
[[Category:Marine occupations]]
[[Category:Transport occupations]]