Interview Guide for Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) in International Shipping Companies

This guide contains up-to-date questions and detailed answers commonly asked during interviews for the position of Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) in leading shipping companies. The material will help you:
✅ Prepare effectively – Learn which technical and managerial aspects superintendents and crewing managers evaluate
✅ Assess your competence – Test your knowledge of shipboard electrical systems and regulatory requirements
✅ Deliver professional responses – Even under time constraints

Package Contents

🔹 Technical Expertise

Operation & Maintenance of Shipboard Electrical Systems

• Main and emergency power plants

• Switchboards (MSB, ESB) and automatic transfer systems (ATS)

• High-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) systems

Electrical Equipment & Automation

• Motors, generators, frequency converters

• Control systems (PLC, SCADA) and marine automation

• Navigational & communication equipment (radars, GMDSS, ECDIS)

Emergency & Backup Systems

• Emergency power sources (batteries, emergency generator)

• Emergency lighting and fire suppression systems

🔹 Operational Management

Daily Checks & Technical Monitoring

• Tracking electrical parameters (voltage, current, insulation)

• Scheduled maintenance of batteries and chargers

Voyage & Port Readiness

• Pre-departure electrical system checks

• Equipment preservation during lay-ups

Team Coordination

• Collaboration with engineers and the captain on power management

🔹 Emergency Preparedness

Equipment Failure Response

• Power restoration after generator failure

• Short-circuit and overload troubleshooting

Handling Critical Situations

• Electrical fire response

• Ground fault and cable damage mitigation

Safety Assurance

• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures during repairs

🔹 Regulatory Compliance

SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Requirements for ETOs

• Preparing for inspections (PSC, class societies)

• Reviewing maintenance logs

Equipment Standards (IEC, IEEE)

• Documentation management (repair logs, energy consumption reports)

🔹 Team Leadership

Managing Subordinates (Electricians, Cadets)

• Supervising scheduled maintenance

• Reporting to senior officers (Chief Engineer, Captain, shore management)

Package Benefits

📌 Optimized preparation – All key topics structured systematically
📌 Practical focus – Real questions from superintendents
📌 Maximum utility – Clear and concise answers for every scenario

Target Audience

✔ Marine electricians aspiring to become ETOs
✔ Current ETOs preparing for interviews with new companies
✔ Maritime professionals verifying compliance with modern standards

After studying this guide, you will confidently demonstrate not only technical expertise but also the managerial skills required for an Electro-Technical Officer in an international shipping company.

Ready for career growth? This guide is your reliable assistant! ⚡🚢