Careers · Engine rating
Wiper
The Wiper is an entry-level engine rating who cleans and paints the engine-room spaces and machinery and keeps the engine spaces clean and tidy. It is often the first step towards an engine-room career.
STCW competence
A watch or a day
Watchkeeping
The certificate that gates the job
STCW III/4 (only if forming part of an engine-room watch; otherwise Chapter VI only)
The certification behind this rank
What the rules require for this role — STCW, Indian and UK implementation.
Plus the certificates every seafarer holds: medical, basic safety, security awareness, and passenger-ship training on a cruise ship.
STCW III/4
only if forming part of an engine-room watch; otherwise Chapter VI only
STCW V/2
serving on passenger ships (applies to all personnel)
MSN 1863 Amd 1
UK implementation of STCW III/4
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.46
India implementation of STCW III/4
MSN 1866 Amd 2
UK implementation of STCW V/2
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.55
India implementation of STCW V/2
What employers ask for
Seen across employer job postings — a guide to what recruiters look for, not a legal requirement.
STCW basic safety training
e.g. STCW 2010 · STCW 95 · STCW certificates
Experience / sea time / time in rank
e.g. 6 months (preferred) Experience · 12 months experience · 6-12 months of proven shipboard experience · 6 months of experience
Seafarer medical (ENG1 / ML5 / PEME / flag medical)
e.g. medical certificate · Seafarers Medical
English / Marlins / CES test
e.g. English Proficiency · fluent English · English language · English Language
Visa (US C1/D, Schengen)
e.g. C1/D · Visa
STCW regulation cited
e.g. III/4 · III/5 · V/2
Vaccinations (yellow fever, COVID…)
e.g. Yellow fever
Seaman's book / CDC / passport
e.g. Passport · Seamans book
Where can this role take you?
See how to reach this role — and the ladder above it — in the Route Finder.