How to become an Oiler / Wiper
You can start as an Oiler / Wiper with no yacht experience. You need the right tickets, a CV that shows work that transfers, and to be where the yachts hire. This page sets out each step.
Where you startAnd where it leads. A typical path, not a rule.
Oiler / Wiper
Year 0. Pay from about US$3,000 a month. Entry-level engine room rating on large yachts, cleaning, oiling and checking machinery under the engineers while learning to keep a watch.
Motorman
Year 1-2. Pay from about US$3,500 a month. An engine room rating on large yachts who runs rounds, keeps watch and does hands-on maintenance under the direction of the engineering officers.
Junior Engineer
Year 2-3. Pay from about US$3,500 a month. The first rung in a superyacht engine room: daily rounds, maintenance, bilges and tenders under a senior engineer while you build sea time for Y4.
Third Engineer
Year 3-5. Pay from about US$4,000 a month. Junior engineering officer on larger yachts, running daily rounds, planned maintenance and engine room watches under the second and chief engineer.
Before you applyWhat an Oiler / Wiper needs, from the Oiler / Wiper guide
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical certificate
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
Gets you hired
- AEC 1 and 2 (Approved Engine Course)
- Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW A-III/4)
- Powerboat Level 2
- Mechanical or electrical trade qualification
Visas
- B1/B2 for US cruising
- Schengen right to work or visa
What counts instead of yacht experienceOur advice
Captains hire an Oiler / Wiper for engine room housekeeping, tank soundings and readings and lube oil and filter changes. With no yacht job behind you, show the same skills from work ashore. A background in marine engineering ashore is the closest match, for example work as a marine mechanic.
Write each job on your CV as what you did, with numbers: how many guests, how many boats, how many covers. Then list every skill below that you can prove.
- Engine room housekeeping
- Tank soundings and readings
- Lube oil and filter changes
- Hand tools and fitting
- Bilge and strainer cleaning
- Permit to work discipline
- Logbook record keeping
Your first stepsIn the order we suggest
Get the tickets an Oiler / Wiper must hold
You need STCW Basic Safety Training, ENG1 medical certificate and PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties) before a yacht can put you to work as an Oiler / Wiper.
STCW and ENG1: what they are and what they cost →Write a first Oiler / Wiper CV
Keep it to one page. Put your tickets and your start date at the top, then the work that transfers: marine engineering ashore.
See a Oiler / Wiper CV example →Create your crew profile
Upload that CV and we build your profile from it. Your name and contact details stay hidden. Captains and recruiters contact you. It is free.
Create your crew profile →Apply and look for daywork
Apply to open jobs and to crew agencies, and take daywork: a few paid days on a yacht is how most first-time crew get a reference.
Oiler / Wiper guide →Step up to Motorman
The usual path puts Motorman at year 1 to 2. Pay starts from about US$3,500 a month.
How to become a Motorman →
QuestionsMore in the green crew guide
Can I become an Oiler / Wiper with no experience?
Yes. Oiler / Wiper is a first job on yachts. You need STCW Basic Safety Training, ENG1 medical certificate and PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties), and work that transfers, such as marine engineering ashore, puts you ahead of other new crew.
How long does it take to become an Oiler / Wiper?
It is a starting role, so the time is what it takes to get the tickets and find the first job. From there, the usual path puts Motorman at year 1 to 2.
What does an Oiler / Wiper earn at the start?
From about US$3,000 a month, by our Oiler / Wiper guide. Pay is usually tax-free, with food, a shared cabin and flights covered. Charter tips are shared across all crew, so in a strong charter season they can add one or two months' salary to the year.
Other paths from Oiler / WiperAll roles
Let the yachts come to you
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