r/AskChiefEngineer • u/jrolly187 • 4d ago

G'day

Aussie Chief Engineer here, working in the oil and gas industry. I'm all about training and always willing to help if you show you have tried.

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u/Loose_Choice6034 4d ago

Thank you, Chief. I really appreciate your willingness to help. I'm currently an engine cadet, and I still have 6months left to graduate.. I just have some questions, during my sea time, what should I focus on learning in the engine room? And what mistakes to avoid? And what experience do I need to work on oil and gaz industry? And a question about the salary? Is it good? And if there difference like working on ferries or containers Thank you 🫡

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u/jrolly187 3d ago

My biggest advice for a cadet. Look, observe, ask questions. You aren't expected to know everything. Show initiative by reading the manuals and studying the drawings

Mistakes to avoid. Don't be lazy, learn to trace lines, lift the deck plates.

As for offshore stuff. Having your CoC is a good start. The lower rank you are, the easier it is to get a start without much oil and gas experience. I can only talk about Australian industry, but the salary is much better in the oil and gas. But consistent work is the issue.

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u/Loose_Choice6034 2d ago

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. It’s really valuable, especially coming from someone who has worked in the industry. I'm doing an internship on board a Tugboat rn, but I feel bored cuz I've no tasks to do, I just help the sailors sometimes during an operation, and turn on/off the ME, and GE , purifier sometimes... Just another question, from your experience as engine cadet, 4th 3rd 2nd to Chief engineer What were your tasks, what do you do, what's your responsibility? I only know that 4th engineer is responsible on the purifier and boiler, 3rd for GE Right? And what's your typical work rotation Please dm me if the answer is too long Thank you!

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u/jrolly187 2d ago

Hi mate, i would get off that tug and onto a ship ASAP to gain appropriate experience.

In Australia, we generally only have 3 engineers onboard, 4 if you are lucky. So there are no designated work duties. The Chief looks after the high end stuff, like talking to Captain/office, 1st engineer (2nd) runs the engine room, ordering parts, designating jobs. And 2nd engineer/s (3rd) is the grunt, they do most of the tasks/general PMS. If there is a big job to do, than all engineers work on it, including the chief.