Oiler

Duties and Responsibilities

The Oiler is responsible for assisting the Engineering staff as directed in maintaining, repairing and operating the following vessel engineering systems and processes both at sea and in port:

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  • Diesel propulsion
  
  
  • Electric generating systems
  
  
  • Deck hydraulic and pneumatic systems,
  
  
  • Fuel and lubrication systems.
  
  
  • Refrigeration plant
  
  
  • Sewage treatment plant
  
  
  • Water making/desalinization system
  
  
  • Vacuum sanitation system
  
  
  • Heating and ventilation systems
  
  
  • Steering gear & bow thruster systems
  
  
  
  


• Assist Engineering Staff to operate the ships systems in accordance with USCG, ASC and OSHA rules and regulations


• Take accurate readings of all vital ships systems; temperatures, pressures and levels


• Ensure accurate log book entries of readings taken


• Provide for all cleaning and routine painting of vessel structure as directed

Skill and Experience Required

• Must have a QMED (Qualified Member of the Engineering Department) endorsement from the USCG


• Ability to work with a wide variety of pneumatic, hydraulic, electric and mechanical tools safely and efficiently


• Welding and metal fabrication skills


• Crane & forklift driver’s certificates


• Knowledge and understanding of basic ships systems


• Ability to learn operational routines as instructed by the Engineering staff


• Fluent in conversational and written English


• Working knowledge of metric system


• Understanding of technical operations and terms


• Ability to work safely in a very dangerous environment


• Ability to follow routines as outlined in daily, weekly and monthly Oiler duties


• Ability to conceive, construct and install welded structures as directed by the engineering staff

Measurements of Performance

• Thoroughness and excellence of work


• Quality of work performed


• Timeliness and physical/mental readiness to work


• Effectiveness in taking direction and following orders regarding maintenance of pumps, motors and similar engineering systems


• Professional attitude


• Interest in and aptitude for increasing both theoretical and practical knowledge of ships systems 

Physical Ability

• Must demonstrate physical capacity for sustained rigorous hard labor, 12 hours a day seven days a week for two months at a time over a period of at least two years during the maintenance periods under supervision of the Chief Engineer in port when the vessel is not fishing


• At sea must demonstrate professional competence while watch standing for a 12 hour day seven days a week for at least two months at a time


• In port and at sea must be willing and able, if required, to provide 24 hours of continuous labor in order to assist the Engineering staff in the event of a major marine casualty to the vessel or engineering plant as determined by the Chief Engineer


• Ability to pass a pre-employment and random drug tests


• Must be capable of boarding and exiting a vessel without physical assistance by climbing up and down a gangplank or using a Jacob’s ladder


• Must climb or descend one or more set of steep stairs, or vertical ladders inside and outside the vessel in all weather conditions as extreme as 30 degrees below zero


• Ability to lift heavy items repeatedly

Work Schedule

12 hours or more per day for the duration of the trip, including loading and unloading

Ability to work at sea for extended periods of time

Able to work during the shipyard maintenance period as needed

Pay

Estimated earnings of $4,000 - $5,600 per trip before taxes DOE (average is two trips per month) 

*Crew share–based pay means compensation is tied to the vessel’s catch rather than a fixed hourly or daily wage. Pay varies by trip and reflects overall catch size and performance. Each fishing trip typically lasts 14–21 days, though trip length may vary depending on fishing conditions.