Chief Engineer for Orient Express Sailing Yachts

V.Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 118,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

V.Group seeks a Chief Engineer for the Orient Express Olympian, aboard the vessel, to head the Engine Department and ensure safe, efficient operation of all systems and regulatory compliance.

Reporting to the Master and Shore Technical Management, you will manage budgets, maintenance, and emergencies, with support from the Staff Engineer and Chief Electrician. Embarkation January 2027. Contract role requiring STCW and shipboard leadership.

Qualifications

• As per applicable requirements of IMO STCW Convention (as amended).
• Company certification and training requirements per form C601d.
• Experience as per Company Recruitment & Promotion Experience Requirements per form C601d.

Responsibilities

• Department Leadership & Personnel Management: lead Engine & Electrical departments and enforce safe watchkeeping.
• Technical Operations & Emergency Response: ensure readiness of propulsion, power, HVAC, and act as technical advisor on bridge.
• Maintenance, Class & Technical Management: manage statutory surveys, CMS, PSC inspections and coordinate repairs.
• Safety, Security & Environmental Compliance: ensure compliance with MARPOL, SOLAS, STCW and SMS.
• Administration & Logistics: oversee spare parts inventory, budgets, and reports to Shore Management.

Job description

Chief Engineer for Orient Express Sailing Yachts

Department: Deck

Employment Type: Contract

Location: Shipboard

Description

Department: | Engine

Job Title: | Chief Engineer

Reporting to: | Master (Operationally) & Shore Technical Management (Technically)

Qualification: | As per applicable requirements of:

• IMO STCW Convention (as amended)
• Company certification and training requirements per form C601d

Experience: | As per Company Recruitment & Promotion Experience Requirements per form C601d

Embarkation: January 2027

Vessel : ORIENT EXPRESS OLYMPIAN

Description and Main Purpose of Job: The Chief Engineer is the absolute head of the Engine Department, holding overall operational, administrative, and legal responsibility for the safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant operation of all mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hotel technical systems onboard. Supported directly by the Staff Engineer and Chief Electrician, the role involves high-level technical management, regulatory compliance, budget control, and acting as the primary technical advisor to the Master, while performing any additional executive or operational duties as reasonably required by the Master or Shore Management.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Department Leadership & Personnel Management Hold ultimate responsibility for the entire Engine & Electrical departments. Provide strategic direction, leadership, and supervision to the Staff Engineer and Chief Electrician. Issue and enforce the Chief Engineer’s Standing Orders, ensuring that safe and proper engine room watchkeeping standards are always maintained in accordance with STCW requirements. Conduct performance appraisals for assigned senior officers, identify training needs, and ensure the ongoing familiarization and mentoring of all engine personnel. Monitor and hold final approval authority for the work and rest hours of all Engine Department personnel, ensuring strict compliance with MLC/STCW regulations to prevent fatigue.
• 2. Technical Operations & Emergency Response Ensure the continuous operational readiness, safety, and reliability of the vessel's propulsion, power generation, steering, HVAC, and all auxiliary systems. Act as the primary technical advisor on the Bridge during shipboard emergencies, coordinating with the Master and directing the Engine Control Room (ECR) team in damage control, machinery space firefighting & technical restoration. Oversee and take ultimate responsibility for critical marine operations, including acting as the Person In Charge (PIC) for LNG, MDO, and lube oil bunkering & sludge or wastewaters discharges.
• 3. Maintenance, Class & Technical Management Manage statutory and classification society requirements, coordinating Class surveys, continuous machinery surveys (CMS), and Port State Control (PSC) technical inspections. Prepare detailed defect lists, dry-dock specifications, and coordinate major repair projects, technical stoppages, and modifications in conjunction with Shore Technical Management. Oversee the successful execution of the Planned Maintenance System (Shipsure) through the Staff Engineer and Chief Electrician, ensuring all machinery is maintained according to manufacturer specifications and company procedures.
• 4. Safety, Security & Environmental Compliance Guarantee absolute compliance with all international, flag state, and port state regulations (including MARPOL, SOLAS, VMS, and STCW). Hold ultimate responsibility for the engine room's environmental compliance, particularly MARPOL Annex I & VI. Strictly monitor, verify, and sign the Oil Record Book (Part I) and oversee proper record-keeping for emissions and technical waste. Enforce strict adherence to the company's Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring that Permit to Work (PTW) protocols, Lock-out/Tag-out (LOTO) isolation procedures, and risk assessments are rigorously applied by all technical staff.
• 5. Administration & Logistics Maintain high-level oversight of the Engine Department's spare parts inventory and operational expenditures, ensuring cost-effective technical management in coordination with the Shore Technical Management. Prepare and submit comprehensive technical reports, monthly engine summaries, and end-of-contract handover notes to the Master and Shore Management. Serve as the primary point of contact for Shore Management, Class surveyors, and Port State Control authorities, fostering strong inter-departmental cooperation with the Deck and Hotel departments to ensure seamless vessel operations.

Health, Safety and Environment Duties and Responsibilities: All employees have a duty under Company Policies and VMS requirements to: Participate in shipboard emergency duties and drills in accordance with the vessel’s muster list and emergency procedures Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions Cooperate with management on health and safety matters Use correctly all work items provided by the Company, including personal protective equipment, in accordance with training and instructions Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety, or welfare Abide by environmental protection rules and regulations and actively participate in the reduction, reuse, and recycling schemes in place All employees shall participate actively in all HSEQ activities and promote safe practices as part of an integrated management approach.