Second Engineer - Port Operations

Transnet Company; Durban; On-site; ZAR 640,000 - 820,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet NPA located in Durban seeks a Second Engineer to form part of the engine room management team aboard harbour craft. You will be responsible for the operation, watchkeeping, and maintenance of all plant and machinery, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient service to clients.

You will safeguard assets in line with Merchant Shipping Act and support the Chief Engineer. The role requires compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, with emphasis on routine inspections,

Qualifications

• Form part of engine room management team as second engineer.
• Responsible for operation and maintenance of plant, equipment and machinery with watchkeeping duties.
• Safeguard company assets as per Merchant Shipping Act.
• Maintain and operate all machinery aboard crafts.
• Ensure safe and efficient operation of all machinery and engineering function.

Responsibilities

• Carry out independent watchkeeping duties in engine room.
• Assist with correct operation and running of machinery in engineroom.
• Carry out routine visual inspection of machinery and equipment.
• Take readings and soundings and record in logs.
• Report anomalies to Chief Engineer.
• Ensure liquid and pressure levels are correct in machinery.
• Top-up liquid levels as required.
• Monitor running machinery and assist with emergency shutdowns.
• Prepare main propulsion machinery for start-up.
• Start up and maintain generators/alternators.
• Maintain and repair equipment as required.
• Disassemble and reassemble equipment.
• Replace defective items on machinery.
• Test equipment and machinery as required.
• Maintain cleanliness in area of responsibility.
• Ensure waste is cleaned out of engine room.
• Stow away equipment and materials after use.
• Clean engine room and spillages.
• Train AB Deck and Engineroom as required.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Communication

Building relationships

Managing subordinates

Technical problem solving

SHE procedures / QA

Life-saving equipment knowledge

Safety techniques

Record-keeping

Emergency/evacuation procedures

Marine plant, machinery & equipment

Watch-keeping procedures

Marine environment awareness

Housekeeping in engine room

Education

Certificate of competency as Second Engineer (Port Operations)

Motorman HG (Merchant Shipping Act)

Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch

Designated Duty Engineer

Chief Eng. Officer (<1500 kW Port Operations)

Ancillary Courses (Medical First Aid, Personal Survival Technique, Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats, Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting, Personal Safety & Social Responsibility)

Job description

• Operating Division: Transnet NPA
• Employee Group: Permanent
• Department: Marine Services
• Location: Durban
• Reporting To: Shift Operations Manager
• Grade: I1X
• Reference: req5123

The closing date is on 27/08/2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.

Position Purpose

• Forms part of the engine room management team of the harbour craft as second engineer under the direction of the Chief Engineer Officer.
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of plant, equipment and machinery, including operational watchkeeping duties, performance or routine and unplanned maintenance in order to ensure a safe and efficient craft service to clients.
• To safeguard Company Assets as per legislative requirements i.t.o. the Merchant Shipping Act.
• Maintain and operate all machinery and equipment aboard crafts.
• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all machinery and engineering function

Position Outputs

• Carry out independent watchkeeping duties in the engine room
• Assist with ensuring the correct operation and running of machinery in the engineroom.
• Carry out tasks and functions as directed by the Chief Engineer
• Carry out routine visual inspection of machinery and equipment as required.
• Take necessary readings and soundings as required.
• Record the results of all readings, soundings and inspections as required in the relevant logbook.
• Report any anomalies discovered on machinery and equipment to
• the Chief Engineer.
• Ensure liquid and pressure levels are correct in all Machinery.
• Top‑up liquid levels in machinery as required.
• Monitor running machinery as required.
• Assist with the Safe and efficient operation of Machinery.
• Prepare main propulsion machinery for start‑up.
• Start up and maintain efficient operation of generators/alternators as directed.
• Assist with emergency shutdowns as required.
• Maintain and repair equipment as required.
• Repair and maintain equipment as required.
• Disassemble equipment and machinery.
• Reassemble equipment and machinery.
• Replace defective items on machinery and equipment.
• Testing of equipment and machinery as required.
• Maintain cleanliness in area of responsibility.
• Ensure all waste is cleaned out of the engine room.
• Ensure all equipment and materials are cleaned and properly stowed away after use.
• Ensure all machinery is cleaned properly.
• Ensure engine room is properly clean and wiped down.
• Ensure all spillages are properly cleaned up.
• Train AB Deck and Engineroom as and when required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Certificate of competency asSecond Engineer(Port Operations)OR
• Motorman HG issued in terms ofthe Merchant Shipping Act. OR
• Officer in Charge of EngineeringWatch OR
• Designated Duty Engineer OR
• Chief Eng. Officer (<1500 kW PortOperations)And Valid Ancillary CoursesMedical First AidPersonal Survival TechniqueProficiency in Survival Craft & RescueBoatsFire Prevention and Fire FightingPersonal Safety & Social Responsibility

Competencies

• Knowledge required:
  • Risk & occupational safety
  • Quality management systems
  • Statutory/regulatory bodies
  • Environmental managementprinciples
  • NOSA, ISO, OHS Act
  • Marine Operations/Services
  • Merchant Shipping Act-
  • SAMSA port marine operationsrelated legislation
• Skills Required:
  • Leadership
  • Decision making
  • Communication
  • Building relationship
  • Managing subordinate
  • Ability to solve practicaltechnical problems.
  • Procedures and workinstructions (SHE integratedManagement System, QualityManagement System)
  • Knowledge of life-savingequipment/appliances
  • Safety techniques/equipment
  • Record-keeping
  • Emergency and evacuationprocedures.
  • Marine plant, machinery andequipment
  • Watch-keeping procedures
  • Marine environment
  • Housekeeping

Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.

Disclaimer

If you have not heard from Transnet within 90 days, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Transnet, its employees or representatives never ask for a fee from job seekers. Any such requests are fraudulent. Please report any suspicious activities in this regard to the Transnet anti-fraud line on 0800 003 056 or email [e-mail]