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Motorman / Oiler Jobs

9 open vacancies · updated 26 Oct 2026

Motorman/Oiler on Asphalt Tanker

Negotiable / mo

Xfinity maritime · Oil / Product Tanker

Oil / Product Tanker

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Motorman/Oiler on Oil tanker

Negotiable / mo

Xfinity maritime · Oil / Product Tanker

Oil / Product Tanker

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

Motorman on LNG carrier

Negotiable / mo

OSM Thome · LPG / LNG Carrier

LPG / LNG Carrier

SalaryNegotiable / mo
BoardingMid Nov 2026
Duration5–7 months
CitizenshipAny citizenship
Mid Nov 2026 · 5–7 mos · Any citizenship

About the role

Motorman/Oiler is a senior engine rating. The Motorman works in the engine room on watch, normally under the engineer officer in charge of the watch. The rank is sometimes called Oiler. Main tasks include watching main engine and auxiliary machinery, checking pressures and temperatures, taking soundings, cleaning purifiers and filters, and greasing moving parts. On some ships the Motorman guides Wiper ratings. Typical ships are cargo ships, tankers, container ships and offshore vessels where the Motorman works with Third Engineer and Fourth Engineer. The position requires an able seafarer engine certificate under STCW III/5 after qualifying as an engine-room watch rating.

Duties on board

  • Watch pressures, temperatures and levels on main engine, auxiliary engines, purifiers and compressors during engine-room watch.
  • Take fuel, oil and water tank soundings and record readings in the engine-room log.
  • Grease bearings, linkages and moving parts of machinery as directed by the engineer officer.
  • Clean fuel and lubricating oil purifiers, filters and strainers and report leaks.
  • Assist engineers with starting and stopping generators, pumps and other machinery.
  • Monitor bilge levels and operate bilge pumps under the instruction of the watch engineer.
  • Keep engine-room tools, spare parts and work areas clean and stored.
  • Guide Wiper ratings and engine cadets during routine cleaning and watch rounds.

Requirements

DocumentConventionNote
Able Seafarer Engine certificate of proficiencySTCW III/5Every able seafarer engine on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must be certificated.
Engine-room watch rating certificate of proficiencySTCW III/4Every rating forming part of an engine-room watch on a seagoing ship with main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more must be certificated.
Basic training certificate of proficiencySTCW VI/1Seafarers must receive safety familiarization and basic training or instruction in line with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code.
Security-awareness certificate of proficiencySTCW VI/6Seafarers must receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction.

Sea service

While qualified as an engine watch rating, a candidate needs approved seagoing service in the engine department of not less than 12 months, or not less than 6 months together with approved training.

Medical fitness

Seafarers may not work on a ship unless they are certified as medically fit to perform their duties. A medical certificate states that hearing, sight, and colour vision where relevant to the work are satisfactory. It is valid for a maximum of two years.

Documents

  • Passport
  • Seaman's book (CDC)
  • Medical certificate
  • Able Seafarer Engine CoP (STCW III/5)
  • Engine-room Watch Rating CoP (STCW III/4)
  • Basic Training CoP (STCW VI/1)
  • Security Awareness CoP (STCW VI/6)
  • Visas when the voyage requires them

What employers on Krew Guru ask for

Vessel typesBulk Carrier 30%, Chemical Tanker 26%, Oil Tanker 19%, Container Ship 10%, LPG Carrier 6%
Contracts in rank (median)1
Contract length (median)6 months
Open to any nationality95%
VisasUnited States of America 11%
Based on 249 vacancies on Krew Guru over the last 365 days.

Career path

Comes from: Wiper
Next step: Fitter

Companies hiring Motorman / Oiler now

Related ranks

Motorman / Oiler: questions and answers

What is the difference between a Motorman and an Oiler?

Motorman and Oiler are names for the same senior engine rating on many ships. Some companies use Oiler for the rating who oils machinery and greases moving parts. Motorman may take more responsibility for engine-room watch rounds. Both need the same able seafarer engine certificate.

What certificates do I need to work as Motorman/Oiler?

You need an able seafarer engine certificate under STCW III/5. First you must hold an engine-room watch rating certificate under STCW III/4. You also need STCW basic training and security-awareness training.

How much sea service do I need for the able seafarer engine certificate?

After you qualify as an engine watch rating, you need approved seagoing service in the engine department of not less than 12 months. The time is reduced to not less than 6 months if you complete approved training.

What does a Motorman do on watch?

The Motorman checks main engine, auxiliary engines, purifiers, compressors and pumps. You read pressures and temperatures, take tank soundings, clean filters, grease parts and report problems to the engineer officer on watch.

Is a medical certificate required?

Yes. You cannot work on a ship unless a medical certificate states you are fit for your duties. The certificate must cover hearing, sight and colour vision where relevant.
5,200+ Motorman / Oiler profiles on Krew Guru · 35 vacancies in the last 90 days

Sources

Checked against the official texts on 26 Oct 2026.