Second assistant engineer

As marine engineers, the technical officers are called on board of ships, which are entrusted with the management and supervision of machinery of a ship. The qualification complies with the international crew STCW Regulation. The claims for the purchase of certificates, also known as patents, are governed by the installed in the ship's engine performance, the expected route and the desired position on board. In the technical branch is decided between two patent levels. The certificate of the technical service on vessels of all drive ratings and certification for ship machinists: Technical service on vessels with engine power up to 750 kW.

Prerequisite for admission to all patents is a closed school completion and proof of twelve months seagoing service. This can be demonstrated for example by a ship mechanic apprenticeship. For the formation of the Technical officer of the watch to a college diploma is also the prerequisite.

It is possible to combine the education of the technical and nautical certificates. The in both areas equally qualified crew member can then be used as a ship operating officer in overall ship operation.