What sea time does a Wiper need to qualify as AB Engine?

STCW Regulation III/5 and Section A-III/5 require a minimum of 12 months of sea service in the engine department forming part of an engine watch. The sea service must be documented in a discharge book and must clearly indicate engine-room watchkeeping duties — not only cleaning or painting duties that do not involve machinery operation. Some flag states require service on vessels above a minimum propulsion power (typically 750 kW) for the Unlimited endorsement.

What machinery knowledge is expected of an AB Engine?

Table A-III/5 competencies include: operating main and auxiliary machinery (diesel engines, boilers, pumps, compressors, purifiers), performing basic maintenance and repair routines, monitoring fuel-oil, lube-oil and cooling-water systems, carrying out enclosed-space entry procedures, and contributing to engine-room safety under the SMS. The AB Engine is expected to be familiar with the specific engine configuration of the vessel they serve on — manufacturers' manuals, permit-to-work procedures, and planned maintenance system (PMS) entries are all part of the role.

Is there an ERM module for ratings?

Yes. STCW A-III/5 includes a requirement for training in Engine Room Resource Management at the rating level — covering team communication, watchkeeping communication with the officer of the watch, and situational awareness in the engine room. This is typically delivered as a module within the AB-Engine competency programme at a training centre, rather than as a full stand-alone ERM course (which is required for engineering officers). Some flag states combine it with BST refresher or engine-room safety training.

Can I count sea time as a rating on fishing vessels or offshore vessels?

This depends on the flag state. STCW applies to ships engaged on international voyages of 500 GT or more; engine-room sea time on smaller vessels may or may not count, and fishing-vessel sea time is governed by the separate STCW-F Convention. Offshore support vessel time is generally counted if the vessel is certificated under STCW and the rating performed engine-room watchkeeping duties. Always verify with the relevant flag administration.

What is the salary difference between Wiper and AB Engine?

Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine) ratings typically earn 25–35% more than Wipers on the same vessel. ITF/IBF minimum basic wage for an engine-room rating forming part of a watch (III/4) is approximately USD 640/month; the AB Engine rate is approximately USD 800–850/month. On tankers and gas carriers, where engine ratings perform additional cargo-related machinery duties, the differential can be larger.

Wiper to Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine)

The Wiper (or engine-room Cleaner) is the entry-level position in the engine department on ocean-going vessels. The role involves engine-room cleaning, basic maintenance assistance, and learning the machinery systems under the supervision of Oilers and engineer officers. After a minimum of 12 months of sea service forming part of an engine watch, a Wiper can qualify for the Able Seafarer Engine Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) under STCW Regulation III/5. The AB Engine carries a 25–35% salary premium and is the starting point for further progression toward the Oiler / Motorman role and, eventually, towards officer rank via the engine rating to engineer officer upgrading route. STCW sets the international floor; the issuing flag state can add national requirements — always verify with the issuing administration. Typical total timeline: 15–18 months from first Wiper contract to AB Engine CoP.

The qualification — STCW III/5 (Able Seafarer Engine)

STCW Section A-III/5 lists mandatory minimum competencies for the Able Seafarer Engine (rating forming part of an engineering watch):

Basic Safety Training (BST) — STCW A-VI/1. All four modules required. PST and FPFF refresher every 5 years.
Security Awareness — STCW A-VI/6-1. Required of all seafarers since Manila 2010.
Engine-room watchkeeping proficiency (STCW A-III/4 and A-III/5) — Demonstrated competency in operating main and auxiliary machinery, monitoring machinery parameters, maintaining engine-room safety, and performing basic maintenance tasks. Assessed via Training Record Book (TRB) and flag-state competency examination.
ERM-rating module — Engine-room resource management at the rating level: team communication, watchkeeping handover procedures, reporting abnormal readings to the officer of the watch, enclosed-space entry and permit-to-work compliance.
Enclosed Space Entry and Rescue — SOLAS III/19 (2015 amendment). Required of all seafarers who enter enclosed spaces. Atmospheric testing, breathing apparatus, rescue procedures.

Sea time required

STCW Regulation III/5 requires a minimum of 12 months of sea service in the engine department forming part of an engineering watch. Key points:

· Sea time must include engine-room watchkeeping duties — not solely cleaning or dry-dock maintenance assignments.
· Service must be documented in a discharge book endorsed by Masters and Chief Engineers.
· Flag states differ on minimum vessel propulsion power — some require service on vessels of 750 kW or more for the Unlimited endorsement.
· Competency assessment or written examination is required in addition to sea time.
· Typical timeline from first Wiper contract to AB Engine CoP: 15–18 months.

Training centres by country

Philippines (MARINA)
MARINA-accredited METCs deliver the engine-rating competency assessments required for the III/5 CoP. The Philippines is also the world's largest source of engine ratings and the MARINA AB Engine CoP is widely recognised internationally. Flag-state-specific — verify with marina.gov.ph.
India (DG Shipping)
DG Shipping issues the AB Engine CoP following a written examination at an MMD office. BST must be obtained from a DG Shipping-approved institute. Flag-state-specific — verify with dgshipping.gov.in.
Ukraine (Maradmin)
Ukrainian maritime colleges in Odessa and Kherson have historically offered engine-rating competency programmes. War-era disruptions have affected operations; verify current procedures with the Ukrainian Maritime Administration.
United Kingdom (UK MCA)
The UK MCA issues the Able Seafarer Engine CoP following demonstration of STCW A-III/5 competencies. MCA-approved centres include Warsash Maritime School and South Tyneside College. Flag-state-specific — verify with gov.uk/MCA.

Salary uplift — Wiper to AB Engine

The AB Engine rate is typically 25–35% above the Wiper / engine-room rating rate for the same vessel type. ITF/IBF minimum basic wage data (2025) shows approximately USD 800–850/month for AB Engine versus approximately USD 640/month for the entry-level engine-room rating forming part of a watch (III/4). See the salary database for vessel-type and flag-state breakdowns.

Career progression

After the AB Engine CoP, many seafarers accumulate further sea time as Oiler or Motorman before entering the engine rating to engineer officer upgrading programme. With 36 months of qualifying engine-room watchkeeping sea time, candidates can enter a bridging programme for the Fourth Engineer / EOOW certificate under STCW III/1. Rights and protections for engine ratings are covered at rights / recruitment fees and scams.

Frequently asked questions

What sea time does a Wiper need to qualify as AB Engine?
STCW Regulation III/5 and Section A-III/5 require a minimum of 12 months of sea service in the engine department forming part of an engine watch. The sea service must be documented in a discharge book and must clearly indicate engine-room watchkeeping duties — not only cleaning or painting duties that do not involve machinery operation. Some flag states require service on vessels above a minimum propulsion power (typically 750 kW) for the Unlimited endorsement.
What machinery knowledge is expected of an AB Engine?
Table A-III/5 competencies include: operating main and auxiliary machinery (diesel engines, boilers, pumps, compressors, purifiers), performing basic maintenance and repair routines, monitoring fuel-oil, lube-oil and cooling-water systems, carrying out enclosed-space entry procedures, and contributing to engine-room safety under the SMS. The AB Engine is expected to be familiar with the specific engine configuration of the vessel they serve on — manufacturers' manuals, permit-to-work procedures, and planned maintenance system (PMS) entries are all part of the role.
Is there an ERM module for ratings?
Yes. STCW A-III/5 includes a requirement for training in Engine Room Resource Management at the rating level — covering team communication, watchkeeping communication with the officer of the watch, and situational awareness in the engine room. This is typically delivered as a module within the AB-Engine competency programme at a training centre, rather than as a full stand-alone ERM course (which is required for engineering officers). Some flag states combine it with BST refresher or engine-room safety training.
Can I count sea time as a rating on fishing vessels or offshore vessels?
This depends on the flag state. STCW applies to ships engaged on international voyages of 500 GT or more; engine-room sea time on smaller vessels may or may not count, and fishing-vessel sea time is governed by the separate STCW-F Convention. Offshore support vessel time is generally counted if the vessel is certificated under STCW and the rating performed engine-room watchkeeping duties. Always verify with the relevant flag administration.
What is the salary difference between Wiper and AB Engine?
Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine) ratings typically earn 25–35% more than Wipers on the same vessel. ITF/IBF minimum basic wage for an engine-room rating forming part of a watch (III/4) is approximately USD 640/month; the AB Engine rate is approximately USD 800–850/month. On tankers and gas carriers, where engine ratings perform additional cargo-related machinery duties, the differential can be larger.

Primary sources

Flag-state caveat: STCW sets the international floor. Individual flag administrations may require additional national examinations, minimum vessel propulsion power for sea-time acceptance, or supplementary courses. Always verify current requirements with the issuing flag-state administration before submitting an application.

This page is for information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Requirements change — verify with your flag administration before acting.