First Engineer

You are the second most senior engineer on board and the Chief's right hand. On most yachts of this size the Chief handles budgets, yard planning and management company paperwork, while you run the engine room floor. That means main engines, generators, watermakers, sewage plants, stabilisers, fuel transfers and the endless list of hotel systems guests depend on. When something fails at 02:00, you are usually the first one down the ladder.

Much of the job is planned maintenance. You work through the PMS, schedule jobs for the Second and Third Engineers, order spares and keep records clean enough for class surveyors and flag inspectors. You stand engineering watches on passage, carry out bunkering, and take charge of the department whenever the Chief is ashore or on leave. Many First Engineers also supervise contractors during refits and shipyard periods.

Captains and Chiefs hire for judgement as much as tickets. You need to fault find calmly with guests on board, explain problems clearly to the bridge, and train junior engineers without slowing the work. Good First Engineers know every valve and breaker on the vessel and can tell from a sound or a temperature trend that something is about to go wrong. This role is the usual stepping stone to Chief Engineer on a large yacht.