MODEC Ghana

Overall Job Purpose

The Senior Marine & Cargo Control Room Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of FPSO marine and cargo control room operations during assigned watches. The role exists to ensure continuous control of cargo, ballast, stability, mooring awareness, and marine communications in accordance with approved operating procedures and regulatory requirements. As the senior watchkeeper, the position provides operational leadership within the Marine Control Room, ensuring risks are proactively identified, deviations are reported, and corrective actions are initiated. This role has a direct impact on FPSO stability, cargo integrity, offloading readiness, aviation safety, and environmental protection. It operates under the direction of the Marine Superintendent or Offshore Technical Lead, with delegated authority during watchkeeping periods.

Core Responsibilities

Marine & Cargo Control Room Operations

  • • Lead Marine Control Room watchkeeping activities, monitoring cargo, ballast, mooring awareness, communications systems, and environmental conditions throughout the shift.
  • • Control and execute cargo transfer, ballast, deballast, produced water discharge, and tank management operations in accordance with approved cargo and ballast plans.
  • • Monitor FPSO stability, trim, stress, and bending moments, ensuring operations remain within approved limits and deviations are promptly escalated.

Safety, Risk & Compliance

  • • Enforce strict adherence to operating procedures, Permit to Work requirements, and marine operational standards during all control room activities.
  • • Maintain a proactive safety mindset, ensuring hazards, defects, and abnormal conditions are identified, reported, and recorded.
  • • Support emergency response readiness by maintaining situational awareness and executing assigned emergency duties during drills and incidents.

Equipment Monitoring & Operational Integrity

  • • Monitor the operational status of cargo, ballast, inert gas, cargo pumping, metering, and offloading systems, ensuring readiness and integrity.
  • • Ensure navigational awareness through effective use of Radar, AIS, VHF, and related monitoring systems, in line with ISPS and marine procedures.
  • • Verify operational readiness and testing of GMDSS and marine communication systems in accordance with SOLAS requirements.

Aviation & Vessel Interface Support

  • • Provide accurate meteorological and operational information to helicopter pilots and shore base, supporting safe landing and departure operations.
  • • Act as flight keeper during helicopter operations until formal handover to shore based aviation coordination.
  • • Maintain effective communications with nearby vessels, shuttle tankers, and offshore support craft during watchkeeping periods.

Maintenance, Documentation & Contractor Interface

  • • Execute first line marine operational maintenance tasks and routine checks in accordance with CMMS work instructions.
  • • Raise and track work orders for marine and cargo critical equipment defects, ensuring follow up and availability of critical spares.
  • • Maintain accurate control room logs, stability records, cargo documentation, and daily operational inputs.
  • • Support and monitor contractor marine activities during operations, ensuring compliance with FPSO safety and operational requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Qualification:

  • • Minimum: Degree/HND or equivalent qualification in Nautical Science, Marine Operations, or related discipline.

Certification(s):

Preferred certifications:

  • Mandatory Certification:
  • • STCW Certificate of Competency – Chief Officer (Unlimited Tonnage and Area) or equivalent.
  • Preferred Certifications:
  • • Master Mariner (Unlimited)
  • • GMDSS Operator Certificate
  • • Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations
  • • Bridge Resource Management (BRM)

Experience:

  • • 6–8 years’ experience onboard crude oil or product tankers, FPSOs, or FSOs in marine or cargo operations roles.
  • • Demonstrated experience in cargo loading, storage, offloading, ballast control, and FPSO stability management.
  • • Strong working knowledge of DP shuttle tanker offtake operations and marine control room systems.
  • • Proven supervisory or senior watchkeeping experience at Chief Officer level or equivalent offshore marine role.
  • • Sound understanding of marine legislation, SOLAS, ISPS, and offshore safety management systems.
  • • Emergency response trained, including fire team participation.