Engineer Insignia Guide

 

The Chief Engineer, a licensed ship officer, acting under authority of the Captain, supervises the engineering department. He is responsible for monitoring and maintaining ship machinery, all auxiliary equipment, and the power plants that propel the vessel.

 

A Merchant Marine Chief Engineer uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold propeller symbol and four gold bars. The Captain or Chief Engineer of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver propeller and silver bars for all engineering department officers and crew.

 

 

 

The First Assistant Engineer, a licensed ship officer, is usually responsible for starting, stopping, and controlling the speed of the engines.

 

A Merchant Marine First Assistant Engineer uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold propeller symbol and three gold bars. The Captain or Chief Engineer of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver propeller and silver bars for all engineering department officers and crew.

 

 

 

The Second Assistant Engineer, a licensed ship officer, is usually responsible for ship fuel and water systems, including all of its boilers and pumps.

 

A Merchant Marine Second Assistant Engineer uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold propeller symbol and two gold bars. The Captain or Chief Engineer of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver propeller and silver bars for all engineering department officers and crew.

 

 

 

The Third Assistant Engineer, a licensed ship officer, is usually responsible for ship lubrication systems and, on some ships, the refrigeration and electrical equipment.

 

A Merchant Marine Third Assistant Engineer uniform features shoulder board epaulets with a gold propeller symbol and two or one gold bars. The Captain or Chief Engineer of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver propeller and silver bars for all engineering department officers and crew.

 

 

 

Unlicensed engineering department crew are assigned job tasks and supervised by engineer officers. They are highly skilled crew and rated as firers and water tenders, responsible to check the flow of oil and water in ship engines and boilers; oilers, responsible to lubricate the moving parts; and wipers, responsible for cleaning engine rooms and engine room machinery.

 

Merchant Marine unlicensed engineering crew, if required by the Captain or Chief Engineer, may wear uniforms to assist passengers in identifying engineering crew members. Their uniforms would feature shoulder board epaulets with a gold propeller symbol and one gold bar. The Captain or Chief Engineer of some sailing vessels, small passenger vessels and yachts may elect to use a silver propeller and silver bars for all engineering department officers and crew.