Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer (M/F): Apetahi Express
SAS Apetahi Express, TUATEA Group
(In this job advertisement, the masculine form is used in a neutral sense and refers to both women and men.)
About us
SAS Apetahi Express is a subsidiary of the TUATEA Group, a private and independent Polynesian shipping group. Our vessel, the Apetahi Express, connects Papeete to the Leeward Islands and carries passengers on a demanding route, with longer crossings and multiple stopovers. It is this context that makes the role of Chief Engineer so central and rewarding.
Our operational teams comprise 110 people: on-board crews and shore-based staff (ticket offices, baggage, security, sales), shared between the Apetahi Express and the Tauati Ferry. We are part of the TUATEA Group (220 employees in French Polynesia, active in maritime transport, land transport, tourism, metalwork, renewable energy and services), but we maintain the spirit of a team where everyone knows one another and has a genuine role to play.
Background to this recruitment
We are urgently seeking a Chief Engineer to cover for a team member who is temporarily absent. The contract is a fixed-term replacement contract, the duration of which is linked to the return of the permanent incumbent. The vessel must be able to rely on an operational chief engineer without delay. We are aware that this profile is rare: applications are reviewed as soon as they are received and we respond promptly to every candidate.
How we work
For several years now, we have been creating working conditions that enable seafarers to have a family life. This is not a recruitment pitch; it is a conviction, reflected in the way we draw up rosters, communicate with crews and deal with individual situations – with care and, as far as possible, with flexibility.
The pace of work depends on the volume of activity and may vary. What remains constant is our commitment to respecting rest periods. Schedules are communicated in advance, and when life throws up unexpected challenges, we work together to find solutions.
The role
Reporting directly to the Captain, you will ensure the smooth running of the engine department whilst complying with safety and environmental protection requirements.
→ Maintenance & Technical
Carry out preventive and corrective maintenance on machinery (propulsion, generators, auxiliary systems) and deck equipment.
Monitor fuel and oil consumption and update the CMMS.
Monitor technical issues currently requiring attention on board the vessel and report on them to the Technical Department.
→ Planning & Technical Monitoring
Working in conjunction with the Technical Director and the Group’s Procurement Manager, you will help oversee the maintenance plan: planning work, anticipating spare parts requirements and ensuring deadlines are met. On a route where ports of call are far from Tahiti, planning ahead for supplies is crucial. We are looking for a reliable and proactive individual, capable of reporting and anticipating needs beyond the scope of routine rotations.
→ Management & Coordination
Supervise the engine room crew.
Coordinate hull and engine repairs and fuel transfers with the bridge.
→ Safety & Regulations
Ensure compliance with ISM, ISPS, MARPOL and SGS standards.
Take part in safety drills and assist the Captain during manoeuvres.
→ Management & Logistics
Keep technical documentation up to date (logbooks, registers, drawings).
Manage spare parts stock and prepare orders for the department, which are subject to approval.
→ Before each voyage
Check that there are sufficient crew members, stock levels and energy reserves for the voyage.
Required profile
→ Mandatory qualifications
Chief Engineer’s Certificate for 8,000 kW or Unlimited (STCW III/2)
CFBS, CAEERS, CQALI, EM2, SNP
Unrestricted medical fitness certificate, valid for at least 6 months
→ Experience & Skills
Significant experience (> 2 years) in maintenance and technical management on passenger vessels, ideally on NGVs/HSCs
Knowledge of MAN engines and CAT generator sets would be an advantage
Proficiency in CMMS tools, strong HSE culture
Working knowledge of English required
Immediate availability would be highly appreciated
→ Personal qualities
Diligence and composure in emergency situations.
Ability to work as part of a team and to communicate with the crews on board, the bridge and contacts ashore.
Sense of responsibility: a ship that runs smoothly is always a reflection of someone who truly cares about it.
To apply
Please send your application to recrutement@tuatea.com (subject line: ‘Chief Engineer, Apetahi Express’), attaching:
Your up-to-date maritime qualifications
Your unrestricted medical fitness certificate
Your CV and your availability date
Applications are reviewed upon receipt, and we will reply to every applicant.
Contact
You can send us your CV and cover letter to Hortense TEINAURI :
recrutement@tuatea.com