A trainee engineer officer undertaking approved sea service as part of an engineering degree programme to qualify for a watchkeeping certificate.
In practice
At sea, engine cadets work under the supervision of the chief engineer and watchkeeping engineers, spending time in the engine room, steering gear room, and on deck machinery to gain broad exposure to all mechanical, electrical, and control systems aboard. They participate in maintenance tasks, stand supervised watches, assist during emergency drills, and develop the systematic fault-finding and record-keeping habits that underpin safe engineering practice. Under MLC 2006, engine cadets are afforded the same rights as other seafarers. Progression to OOW-Eng certificate requires not only sufficient sea service but also demonstration of competence assessed against the STCW table A-III/1 competency standards through approved examinations.
Regulatory detail & full definition
An engine cadet is a trainee engineer officer serving aboard ship to accumulate the sea service mandated by STCW chapter III for an Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OOW-Eng) certificate. Engine cadets are enrolled in maritime engineering degree programmes at approved institutions and alternate periods of academic study with structured sea service, following a training record book that maps directly to the STCW III/1 competency table.
At sea, engine cadets work under the supervision of the chief engineer and watchkeeping engineers, spending time in the engine room, steering gear room, and on deck machinery to gain broad exposure to all mechanical, electrical, and control systems aboard. They participate in maintenance tasks, stand supervised watches, assist during emergency drills, and develop the systematic fault-finding and record-keeping habits that underpin safe engineering practice. Under MLC 2006, engine cadets are afforded the same rights as other seafarers. Progression to OOW-Eng certificate requires not only sufficient sea service but also demonstration of competence assessed against the STCW table A-III/1 competency standards through approved examinations.