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Chapter 29 - Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship and Steamship

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General

29.1 General requirements

The general requirements for a certificate as Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship or Steamship, are listed in section 147 of the Marine Personnel Regulations.

29.2 Validity of Certificates

  1. The holder of a Fourth-class Engineer certificate with STCW endorsement may act as:
    1. watchkeeping engineer on any type of vessel, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate, without voyage limitation or propulsive power restriction;
    2. second engineer, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate and to the voyage limitation and propulsive power restriction specified in Table I;
    3. chief engineer, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate and to the voyage limitation and propulsive power restriction specified in Table II.

Table I – Second Engineer (STCW)

Voyage Unlimited voyage and near coastal voyage, class 1, not limited to Canadian ports Near coastal voyage, class 1, between Canadian ports Near coastal voyage, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes Basin Near coastal voyage, class 2 Sheltered waters voyage or limited near coastal voyage, class 2
Type of Vessel
Passenger N/A Not more than 4000 kW Not more than 4000 kW Not more than 7000 kW Not more than 7000 kW
Cargo N/A Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 7000 kW Not more than 7000 kW No limit
Tug N/A Not more than 6000 kW Not more than 6000 kW Not more than 7000 kW No limit
Fishing Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 5000 kW No limit No limit

Table II – Chief Engineer

Voyage Near coastal voyage, class 2 Sheltered waters voyage or limited near coastal voyage, class 2
Type of Vessel
Passenger

Less than 1000 kW

Less than 1500 kW
Cargo Less than 1500 kW Less than 2000 kW
Tug Less than 2000 kW Less than 3000 kW
Fishing Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 5000 kW

2. The holder of a Fourth-class Engineer certificate without STCW endorsement may act as:

  1. watchkeeping engineer on any type of vessel, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate, in a sheltered waters voyage, a near coastal voyage, class 2, or a near coastal voyage in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes Basin;
  2. watchkeeping engineer on a specific vessel, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate, engaged on a “limited, contiguous waters voyage”;
  3. second engineer, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate and to the voyage limitation and propulsive power restriction specified in Table III;
  4. chief engineer, subject to the propulsion type specified on the certificate and to the voyage limitation and propulsive power restriction specified in Table II.

Table III – Second Engineer (non-STCW)

Voyage Unlimited voyage and near coastal voyage, class 1, not limited to Canadian ports Near coastal voyage, class 1, between Canadian ports Near coastal voyage, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes Basin Near coastal voyage, class 2 Sheltered waters voyage or limited near coastal voyage, class 2
Type of Vessel
Passenger N/A Not more than 4000 kW Not more than 4000 kW Not more than 7000 kW Not more than 7000 kW
Cargo N/A Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 7000 kW Not more than 7000 kW No limit
Tug N/A Not more than 6000 kW Not more than 6000 kW Not more than 7000 kW No limit
Fishing Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 5000 kW Not more than 5000 kW No limit No limit

Syllabuses of Examinations

29.3 Ship watchkeeping practices (examination code: PPSSIM1)

Refer to Chapter 28 of this TP.

29.4 General engineering knowledge (examination code: 4EKG)

  1. The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
  2. The duration of the examination is 3½ hours.
Subject Required knowledge
Construction and safe use of hand tools Including hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, drift punches, chisels, hand saws and blades, files, hand shears and snips, twist drills, reamers, countersinks, taps and dies, layout tools, portable power grinders, portable power chippers.
Construction and safe use of power tools Including drill press, fixed grinder, metal turning lathe, simple milling machine, surface grinder, cut-off saw, valve grinder, gas welding equipment, electric welding equipment.
Materials of construction Materials and the ability to distinguish between the following common types: steel, cast iron, copper, zinc, brass, aluminum, plastics, resins.
Physical sciences Mathematics: fundamental arithmetical operations and percentages, measurement by gauge and standard international units of length, mass, area, volume, pressure and temperature; Mechanics: force, friction, energy, power, the use of a level wheel and axle; Principles, construction and operation of instruments and equipment for measuring and testing: bi-metallic thermometer, thermo-couple, liquid in glass container, resistance thermometer, thermistor (thermally sensitive resistor), manometer, barometer (mercury and aneroid), pressure gauge (bourdon, scheffer, differential), piezoelectric sensor transducer, strain gauge, level gauge (float, sight, glass, probe, remote, pneumatic), flow meters (mechanical, rotormeter, float, venturi), speed meters (tachogenerator, mechanical counter), torque meter.
Recognition of fire hazards Storage and handling of flammable liquids used for testing, cleaning, painting; lubrication additives and fuel additives; storage and handling of flammable solids used for jointing, cleaning and shoring.
Identification and maintenance of firefighting and lifesaving equipment Portable fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, hoses and nozzles, fire doors, water-tight doors, ventilation closures; detection devices, alarms, alarm systems; fire pumps; breathing apparatus, sprinkler and smothering systems.
Preventive maintenance Lifeboat engines, lifeboats, lifeboat davits and winches.
Safe working practices Work procedures and precautions necessary to prevent hazards; maintenance of safe working conditions; rigging, slinging and handling of heavy machinery parts.
Pollution prevention Basic principles of pollution-prevention laws and regulations applicable to Canadian ships; pollution-prevention procedures, including bunkering operations, the discharge of bilge and ballast water, and the operation of oily-water separators.
Pumps Construction, operation and maintenance of reciprocating pumps, centrifugal pumps, screw-displacement gear pumps, injectors, ejectors.
Piping Construction, operation and maintenance of steam and feed-water systems, bilge and ballast systems, fuel lubricating oil systems, valves, drains, traps and other fittings; precautions to be observed in the operation of piping systems with regard to pipe expansion, water hammer, cross connections, venting and overflow; routine pumping operations.
Power transmission Thrust with respect to intermediate and propeller shafts; intermediate and propeller shaft bearing alignment; types of couplings; gear trains.
Steering gears Mechanical and hydraulic steering gears; emergency steering arrangements; starting power steering gears; routine checks and operation of steering gears.
Underwater fittings Rudders; fixed, variable and controllable-pitch propellers; stern glands; sea suction and discharge valves; mounting items on the hull.
Deck machinery Windlass, capstan, winch.
Fuels, auxiliary machinery All types of fuels used on ships; storage, transfer, heating, filtration and purification of fuels.
Lubricants Storage, transfer, heating, cooling, filtration, purification and disposal of lubricants; types of lubricants; application of lubricants.
Electricity and magnetism Fundamentals: definitions of current, voltage, resistance and power; direct and alternating current; conductors; insulators; wet and dry cells; identification of simple circuits. Measurement and protective devices: voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter, ground lights, fuses, circuit breakers.

Generators, alternators and motors: construction and operation of direct-current machines; construction and operation of alternating-current machines; basic maintenance procedures. Electric circuits: alarm circuits, navigation-light circuits, main- and emergency-light and power circuits, basic maintenance procedures.
Hydraulic systems Pumps, motors, piping, fittings, control devices, hydraulic fluids, packing, seals.
Pneumatic systems Compressors, air receivers, heat exchangers, filters, piping, fittings, control devices; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent fires and explosions.
Refrigeration Types, properties and hazards of refrigerants; construction and operation of refrigeration systems.
Auxiliary
boilers and
equipment 		Types and construction of boilers; safety and operating procedures; mountings, fittings, fuel system, feed system, heat exchangers, filters, feed pumps and steam traps.
Auxiliary internal combustion engines Fuel systems, including fuel pumps, injectors and carburettors; basic construction and operating procedures; cooling and lubricating systems; starting devices and ignition systems; recognition and correction of malfunctions; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent crankcase explosions.
Watchkeeping procedures Routine associated with taking over and accepting a watch; recording of significant gauge readings and understanding their importance to routine duties during a watch; recording of accidents to machinery and hull; duties when handing over a watch; recording and calculation of ship’s fuel supply; routine starting and stopping of machinery, emergency stopping of machinery.

29.5 Engineering knowledge of motor vessels (examination code: 4EKM)

  1. The examination consists of 75 multiple-choice questions.
  2. The duration of the examination is 3½ hours.
Subject Required knowledge
Compression ignition engines Methods of supercharging, turbo-charging and scavenging; general principles of construction and operation of two-stroke and four-stroke cycle engines; methods of starting and reversing; power transmission systems, including couplings and clutches on gears; applications of the compression ignition system in a single- and multiple-engine and diesel electric installation.
Lubrication systems The construction, operation and maintenance of purifiers; lubricants and lubricant additives; pumps; piping; heat exchangers; filters.
Cooling systems Air and liquid cooling; pumps; piping; heat exchangers; temperature control; expansion arrangements.
Fuel Types of fuels and fuel additives; heating of fuels; filtration and purification of fuels; piping of fuels; fuel injection pumps and fuel injectors.
Governors General principles, construction, operation and maintenance of mechanical, hydraulic, electronic and pneumatic governors.
Maintenance Overhaul, repair, adjustment, lay up, preventive maintenance (including running repairs recognition and correction of malfunctions) of engines, transmissions and interrelated systems (including lubrication, cooling, fuel, compressed air and exhaust systems).

29.6 Engineering knowledge of steam vessels (examination code: 4EKS)

  1. The examination consists of 75 multiple-choice questions.
  2. The duration of the examination is 3½ hours.
Subject Required knowledge
Fire-tube boilers and water-tube boilers Construction: method of joining parts by riveting, welding, threading and bolting, staying and expanding parts of the boiler; insulating and brickwork; Mountings: safety valves, water gauges, main and auxiliary steam and feed-water valves, blowdown valves, connections for valves, fittings for gauges and regulating devices; Air pre-heaters: types, construction, operation and maintenance; Economizers: types, construction, operation, maintenance; Superheaters: types, construction, operation, maintenance; Operation and maintenance: opening up, cleaning and preparation for inspection and lay up; raising steam; steaming; blowing down; scumming; shutdown; water-gauge readings and testing for accuracy; high and low water levels; priming and foaming; combustion of fuels; oil fuel burners and controls, precautions to be observed; basic principles of boiler and feed-water treatment.
Steam plant ancillary equipment Construction, operation and maintenance of oil fuel pumps, feed-water pumps, injectors, combustion air fans, blowers, steam separators, steam traps, feed-water heaters and filters, cooling and circulating water pumps, condensers, air pumps, air ejectors, evaporators, distillers.
Reciprocating engines The construction, operation and maintenance of different types of reciprocating engines, their governors and lubricating systems.
Steam turbines The principles of construction, operation and maintenance of different types of turbines; power transmission systems (including couplings and gears); governors.
Lubrication systems The construction, operation and maintenance of purifiers, pumps, piping, heat exchangers and filters.

29.7 Oral examination (examination code: 4ORM or 4ORS)

  1. The examination is of indefinite duration.
  2. The examination is based on:
Subject Required knowledge
Use appropriate tools for fabrication and repair operations typically performed on ships Identification of important parameters for fabrication of typical ship- related components; selection of material; fabrication to designated tolerances; use of equipment and machine tools.
Use hand tools and measuring equipment for dismantling, maintenance, repair and reassembly of shipboard plant and equipment Safety procedures; selection of tools and spare gear; dismantling, inspecting, repairing and reassembling equipment in accordance with manuals and good practice; re-commissioning and performance testing in accordance with manuals and good practice.
Use hand tools, electrical and electronic measuring and test equipment for fault-finding, maintenance and repair operation Implementation of safety procedures; selection and use of testing equipment and interpretation of results; selection of procedures for the conduct of repair and maintenance in accordance with manuals and good practice; commissioning and performance testing of equipment and systems brought back into service after repair in accordance with manuals and good practice.
Maintain a safe engineering watch Duties associated with taking over and handing over a watch: the conduct, handover and relief of the watch conform to accepted principles and procedures; routine duties undertaken during a watch: the frequency and extent of monitoring of engineering equipment and systems conform to manufacturer’s recommendations and accepted principles and procedures; maintenance of the machinery space logbook and the significance of the reading taken, proper record is maintained of the movements and activities relating to the ship’s engineering systems; safety and emergency procedures: changeover from remote/automatic to local control of all systems; safety precautions to be observed during a watch and immediate actions to be taken in the event of a fire or accident, with particular reference to oil systems.
Official languages Sufficient knowledge of one of the official languages to enable the officer to use engineering publications and to perform engineering duties; Ability to communicate clearly and understand others.
Operate main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems Preparation of main and auxiliary machinery for operation: operations planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operations and avoid pollution of marine environment; the output of plant and engineering systems consistently meets requirements, including bridge orders relating to changes in speed and direction; location of common faults in machinery and plant in engine and boiler rooms and action necessary to prevent damage: the causes of machinery malfunctions are promptly identified and actions are designed to ensure the overall safety of the ship and the plant, having regard to the prevailing circumstances and conditions; operation of steam boilers, including combustion system, methods of checking water level in steam boilers and action necessary if water level is abnormal.
Operate pumping systems and associated control systems Operations are planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operations and avoid pollution of marine environment; routine pumping operations: operation of bilge, ballast and cargo pumping systems.
Operate alternators, generators and control systems Operations are planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operations; appropriate basic electrical knowledge and skills; preparing starting, coupling and changing over alternators or generators; location of common faults and actions to prevent damage.
Maintain marine engineering systems, including control systems Appropriate basic mechanical and knowledge and skills; safe isolation of electrical and other types of plant and equipment required before personnel are permitted to work on such plant or equipment.
Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements Knowledge of the precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment; procedures for monitoring shipboard operations and ensuring compliance with MARPOL.
Maintain seaworthiness of the ship Working knowledge and application of stability, trim and stress tables, diagrams and stress calculating equipment; understanding the fundamentals of watertight integrity; understanding of fundamental actions to be taken in the event of partial loss of intact buoyancy; general knowledge of principal structural members of a ship and the proper names for the various parts.
Prevent, control and fight fire on board Knowledge of fire prevention, ability to organize fire drills, knowledge of class and chemistry of fire, knowledge of fire-fighting systems; actions to be taken in the event of fire, including fire involving oil systems, identify type and scale of the problem, initiate actions conform to the emergency procedures and contingency plans for the ship, the order of priority, and the levels and time scales of making reports and informing personnel on board, are relevant to the nature of the emergency and reflect the urgency of the problem; evacuation, emergency shutdown and isolation procedures are appropriate to the nature of the emergency and are implemented promptly.
Operate lifesaving appliances Ability to organize abandon ship drills and knowledge of the operation of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances and arrangements, and their equipment, including radio appliances, EPIRB’s, SART’s, immersion suits and thermal protective aids; knowledge of survival at sea techniques; actions in responding to abandon ship and survival situations are appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and comply with accepted safety practices and standards.
Apply medical first aid onboard of ship Practical application of medical guides and advice by radio, including the ability to take effective action based on such knowledge in case of accidents or illnesses that are likely to occurred on board ship; identification of probable cause, nature and extent of injuries or conditions is prompt and treatment minimizes immediate threat to life.
Regulations and ship’s business Basic knowledge of the IMO, ILO and the SOLAS conventions, particularly with regard to safety and the protection of the marine environment; Knowledge of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 relating to:
  • Ship inspections, Marine Machinery Inspection, Hull Construction, Hull Inspection, registration of ships, Steering Appliances and Equipment;
  • Life Saving Equipment, Boat and Fire Drills, Fire Detection and Extinguishing Equipment.
  • Dangerous Goods shipping, Oil Pollution Prevention, Sewage Pollution Prevention, Garbage Pollution Prevention, Pollutant Discharge Reporting.
  • Safe Working Practices, Shipping Casualties Reporting, Tackle;
  • Crewing, engagement and discharge of seafarers, in and out of Canada, rights of seafarers, maintenance of discipline, distressed seafarers, provisions, health and accommodation.

Knowledge of the Canada Labour Code, as applicable to shipping industry in relation occupational health and safety.

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Date modified:
2010-01-21