Oiler

Sustainable • Seattle, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Oiler assists the Engineering staff, as directed, in maintaining, repairing, and operating vessel engineering systems and processes both at sea and in port. These systems include diesel propulsion, electric generating systems, deck hydraulic and pneumatic systems, fuel and lubrication systems, refrigeration, sewage treatment, water making and desalinization, vacuum sanitation, heating and ventilation, steering gear, and bow thrusters. The Oiler helps operate ship systems in accordance with USCG, ASC, and OSHA rules and regulations; takes and records accurate readings of temperatures, pressures, and levels; and performs cleaning and routine painting of vessel structure as directed.

The role requires a USCG Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) endorsement, safe and effective use of varied tools, and the ability to perform welding and metal fabrication. The Oiler must be able to follow engineering routines and instructions, work safely in a hazardous environment, and maintain professional competence during demanding work and watch-standing schedules.

Work may involve 12 or more hours per day for the duration of a trip, including loading and unloading, and extended periods at sea. The position also requires work during shipyard maintenance periods as needed. Trips typically last 14–21 days, although length can vary with fishing conditions. Estimated earnings are $4,000–$5,600 per trip before taxes, depending on experience, with an average of two trips per month. Compensation is crew-share based and varies according to catch size and performance rather than a fixed hourly or daily wage.

Requirements

• Must have a USCG Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) endorsement.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently with a wide variety of pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and mechanical tools.
• Welding and metal fabrication skills.
• Crane and forklift driver’s certificates.
• Knowledge and understanding of basic ship systems.
• Ability to learn operational routines as instructed by Engineering staff.
• Fluent conversational and written English.
• Working knowledge of the metric system.
• Understanding of technical operations and terms.
• Ability to work safely in a very dangerous environment.
• Ability to follow daily, weekly, and monthly Oiler routines.
• Ability to conceive, construct, and install welded structures as directed by Engineering staff.
• Thoroughness and excellence of work, and quality of work performed.
• Timeliness and physical and mental readiness to work.
• Effectiveness in taking direction and following orders regarding maintenance of pumps, motors, and similar engineering systems.
• Professional attitude and interest in increasing theoretical and practical knowledge of ship systems.
• Physical capacity for sustained rigorous labor for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for two months at a time during maintenance periods, over a period of at least two years.
• Professional competence while standing watch for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for at least two months at a time at sea.
• Willingness and ability, if required, to provide 24 hours of continuous labor during a major marine casualty, as determined by the Chief Engineer.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Ability to board and exit a vessel without physical assistance by climbing a gangplank or using a Jacob’s ladder.
• Ability to climb or descend one or more sets of steep stairs or vertical ladders inside and outside the vessel in weather as extreme as 30 degrees below zero.
• Ability to repeatedly lift heavy items.
• Ability to work 12 or more hours per day for the duration of a trip, including loading and unloading.
• Ability to work at sea for extended periods and during shipyard maintenance periods as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist Engineering staff in maintaining, repairing, and operating vessel engineering systems at sea and in port.
• Assist with diesel propulsion, electric generating, deck hydraulic and pneumatic, fuel and lubrication, refrigeration, sewage treatment, water making and desalinization, vacuum sanitation, heating and ventilation, steering gear, and bow thruster systems.
• Help operate ship systems in accordance with USCG, ASC, and OSHA rules and regulations.
• Take accurate readings of vital ship-system temperatures, pressures, and levels.
• Make accurate log book entries of readings taken.
• Clean and perform routine painting of vessel structure as directed.
• Follow daily, weekly, and monthly Oiler routines and Engineering staff directions.
• Assist Engineering staff during a major marine casualty when required, including providing continuous labor as determined by the Chief Engineer.
• Work watch-standing duties at sea and assist with shipyard maintenance periods as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed