A certificated officer responsible for the maintenance and repair of electrical, electronic, and automation systems aboard.
In practice
The ETO's daily tasks include maintaining the planned maintenance records for all electrical and electronic equipment, troubleshooting faults in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), frequency converters, and GMDSS communications equipment, and liaising with equipment manufacturers' technical representatives during surveys. Under SOLAS IV, GMDSS equipment must be maintained to a defined standard of availability, and the ETO's role is central to meeting that requirement. On modern vessels with highly automated engine rooms operating in unattended machinery space (UMS) mode, the reliability of automation and alarm monitoring systems — maintained by the ETO — directly underpins the safety case for unmanned overnight operation.
Regulatory detail & full definition
The Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) is a certificated officer responsible for the maintenance, repair, and monitoring of all electrical, electronic, and automation systems aboard the vessel. STCW III/6 establishes the certificate of competency for the ETO, requiring specific training in marine electrical engineering, electronics, and control systems, together with approved sea service. The ETO ensures that the ship's electrical power generation and distribution systems, navigation electronics, communications equipment, cargo control automation, and safety systems remain in reliable working order.
The ETO's daily tasks include maintaining the planned maintenance records for all electrical and electronic equipment, troubleshooting faults in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), frequency converters, and GMDSS communications equipment, and liaising with equipment manufacturers' technical representatives during surveys. Under SOLAS IV, GMDSS equipment must be maintained to a defined standard of availability, and the ETO's role is central to meeting that requirement. On modern vessels with highly automated engine rooms operating in unattended machinery space (UMS) mode, the reliability of automation and alarm monitoring systems — maintained by the ETO — directly underpins the safety case for unmanned overnight operation.