The Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW) is part of the engine department on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more and certified according to STCW section A-III/4 and table A-III/4 of the STCW Code. This is a certification at the support level. RFPEW carry out a watch routine appropriate to the duties of a rating forming part of an engine-room watch.

The duties include but not limited to – understand orders and be understood in matters relevant to watchkeeping duties; carry out a watch routine compliant with the duties of an engine room watch; communicate efficiently in watch-keeping matters; keep a boiler watch, maintaining the proper water level and steam pressure; and operate emergency equipment and utilize emergency procedures.

Core competencies include – perform functions of a rating forming part of an engine room watch, perform engine room housekeeping; and maintaining the water level and steam pressure to name a few. The ratings could be part of a watch in a manned engine-room or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine room.