Motorman
The motorman is the engine room's rating. You do the rounds, take the readings, clean the separators, change the filters and keep the machinery spaces spotless so the engineers can focus on faults and planning. You'll only find the role on bigger yachts, usually 70m and up. For anyone heading towards an engineering ticket, it's one of the most solid ways in.
The jobWhat fills the day
The work is practical and repetitive, and it matters. You run engine room rounds and log temperatures, pressures and tank levels. You clean fuel and lube oil separators, change filters on generators and main engines, and look after the sewage plant, the watermakers and the bilges. You help with fuel transfers and bunkering, keep the stores tidy and degrease everything that leaks. When the engineers strip something down, you're the second pair of hands, and that's how you learn.
Underway on a large yacht, you'll often stand watches in the engine control room, either alongside an engineer or alone on an Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) schedule with a call-out duty. With guests aboard, the priorities are quiet, reliable systems: no smells from the sewage plant, steady air conditioning and plenty of fresh water. You'll also refuel the tenders and toys. In the yard or over winter in Antibes or Palma, the hours are longer and dirtier, with maintenance, overhauls and contractor supervision.
Captains and chief engineers hire motormen with a mechanical background. Typical candidates are ex-merchant navy engine ratings, diesel mechanics, auto technicians, plant fitters or ex-forces engineering ratings. Being handy with tools, keeping a clean workspace and taking instruction well count for more than yacht experience. Many yachts want the STCW engine room watch rating certificate. An AEC or a trade qualification gets you noticed quickly. Yacht motormen are mostly British, South African, Australian, Filipino and Eastern European.
This is a stepping stone. Log your sea time and get your service testimonials signed, then complete the MCA AEC 1 and 2. From there you can move into third engineer or sole engineer jobs on smaller yachts and work towards Y4. Motormen who take the MCA Small Vessel or the full Y4-Y1 route can reach chief engineer in eight to twelve years. Some move sideways into ETO work, or into hydraulics or tender engineering if they have a specialism.
Skills captains look for
- Engine room rounds and logs
- Fuel and oil separators
- Generator and engine servicing
- Bunkering and fuel transfers
- Sewage and watermaker plants
- Hand and power tools
- Watchkeeping discipline
A day aboardCharter day, 95m motor yacht, at anchor off Bonifacio, Corsica
Take the handover from the night watch, then do a full round of the engine room, steering gear and tank spaces. Log generator loads, temperatures and tank soundings.
Clean the fuel oil separator bowl and check the day tank level. Report a weeping flange on the transfer line to the Second Engineer.
Coffee and toast in the crew mess, with the radio on and an eye on the alarm panel.
Refuel the two limousine tenders and the jet skis from the deck fuel station with a deckhand, then wipe down and log the fuel used.
Lunch, then a quick change into clean overalls before going back below.
Change fuel and air filters on the standby generator under the Third Engineer, and update the job in the planned maintenance system.
Backflush the watermaker pre-filters and check the sewage treatment plant, because guests are ashore and the plant is running near capacity.
Degrease the bilges under the main engines and tidy the workshop. Restock rags, gloves and absorbent pads.
Do the evening round and hand over to the duty engineer. Stay on call for alarms until midnight.
Pay by yacht sizeMonthly, before tips. Estimates. Bars share one scale.
See the Engineer salary guide for figures from live adverts.
Tickets and visas
Must have
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
Gets you hired
- STCW Engine Room Watch Rating (A-III/4)
- MCA Approved Engine Course (AEC 1 and 2)
- Able Seafarer Engine (A-III/5)
- Recognised mechanical or electrical trade qualification
- Powerboat Level 2
Visas
- US B1/B2
- Schengen right to work or visa where needed
Where it leadsA typical career path
Engineer jobsOpen now on SuperyachtRoles.com
Questions crew ask
Do I need yacht experience to get a motorman job?
No. Chief engineers care more about mechanical ability and attitude. Diesel mechanics, plant fitters and merchant navy engine ratings move across regularly, as long as they hold STCW Basic Safety and an ENG1.
How is a motorman different from a junior engineer?
A motorman is a rating doing routine rounds, cleaning and maintenance under supervision. On a yacht, the title junior engineer or third engineer usually means someone working towards or holding an AEC or Y4, with more responsibility for running systems and watches.
Can motorman sea time count towards an engineering ticket?
Yes. Sea time in the engine department counts towards MCA yacht engineer certificates, provided your service is documented properly with testimonials and a discharge book. Keep your records accurate from day one.
Why are motorman roles mostly on bigger yachts?
Below about 70m, the engine team is usually two or three certified engineers who share the routine work. Only larger yachts have enough machinery and watchkeeping to justify a dedicated rating.