Engineering

Electro Technical Officer

Electro Technical Officer (ETO) is a pre-sea training course regulated by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) that prepares Electrical, Electronics or Instrumentation engineering graduates and diploma holders to work as electro-technical officers on merchant ships, responsible for a ship's electrical, electronic and control systems. Training at DG Shipping-approved institutes covers marine electrical systems, automation, control engineering and troubleshooting, along with STCW safety courses, and typically runs about a year, including mandatory sea time. The role follows the STCW Electro-Technical Officer standard and requires DG Shipping medical fitness clearance. It suits electrical, electronics or instrumentation engineering graduates who want a sea-going technical career rather than a shore-based electrical engineering job.

1 years
Duration
Certificate
Level

About Electro Technical Officer

Electro Technical Officer (ETO) is a pre-sea training course regulated by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) that prepares Electrical, Electronics or Instrumentation engineering graduates and diploma holders to work as electro-technical officers on merchant ships, responsible for a ship's electrical, electronic and control systems. Training at DG Shipping-approved institutes covers marine electrical systems, automation, control engineering and troubleshooting, along with STCW safety courses, and typically runs about a year, including mandatory sea time. The role follows the STCW Electro-Technical Officer standard and requires DG Shipping medical fitness clearance. It suits electrical, electronics or instrumentation engineering graduates who want a sea-going technical career rather than a shore-based electrical engineering job.

Why Choose Electro Technical Officer

A specialised, in-demand shipboard role

Modern ships rely heavily on electrical, electronic and automated systems, and the ETO is specifically responsible for keeping them running.

Builds on an electrical/electronics background

The course suits electrical, electronics or instrumentation graduates and diploma holders who want to apply their training at sea rather than ashore.

A clear STCW-based certification

The role follows the STCW Electro-Technical Officer standard, giving a defined, internationally recognised certification route.

International exposure

ETOs work on ships trading worldwide, which brings travel and exposure that most shore-based electrical engineering jobs do not offer.

Detailed Syllabus (About 1 year of shore-based pre-sea training, combined with mandatory sea time, before DG Shipping's ETO certification requirements are met)

Core Subjects

Marine Electrical Systems
Ship Automation and Control Systems
Power Electronics (marine)
Electrical Machines
Marine Electronics and Instrumentation
Ship Electrical Safety
Troubleshooting and Maintenance of Shipboard Electrical Systems
High Voltage Systems (marine)
Basic Marine Engineering Knowledge
Communication and Navigation Electronics (basic)

Elective Subjects

Personal Survival Techniques (STCW)
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW)
Elementary First Aid (STCW)
Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (STCW)
Electrical Simulator Training
Training combines electrical and automation workshop practice with ship electrical system simulators, along with mandatory STCW safety courses such as Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. Many institutes also include a high-voltage training module, given the high-voltage systems used on modern ships, along with mandatory sea time to complete the ETO certification requirements.
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