T-EPF Money and Operations

T-EPFs do not have a traditional operational cycle. Their deployment schedule and shipyard rotation will depend on the vessels current tasking, operational status and manning levels. 

EPFs do not spend a lot of time at sea. Due to their rough ride, inability to handle adverse weather conditions and mission as a high-speed transit vessel, these vessels spend a lot of time in port. EPFs will usually sit in port for an extended period each port visit. 

T-EPFs are generally considered high paying ships. EPFs are in the highest salary group for all MSC ships, and there are usually ample overtime opportunities because of the small crew and litany of maintenance issues. The EPF program is relatively new, and MSC had to incentivize people to join the program, so there is an EPF bonus/retention incentive for those who enter and stay in the program. 

Life on board an EPF is different than the typical MSC ship. With only 26 crewmembers on board, the crews are much smaller. If the crew all gets along, it can be a great assignment. If there are a few bad apples, it can ruin the bunch. Additionally, many crewmembers will share rooms and the living conditions are not as nice as some MSC ships because of limited space. The EU and ABs are usually 4 to a room with the bathroom down the hall. Third Mates and Engineers also share a room, but they will typically have a bathroom in the room.

Deck Officers 

To operate an EPF, you need to be type rated per the per the IMO High Speed Craft (HSC) Code. Historically, the type rating training is offered at Training Center Hampton Roads (TCHR) and involves a class, simulator time, a test and an underway period on an EPF to familiarize yourself with the ship and get the needed sea time to qualify for the endorsement. As a deck officer, you can upgrade your unlimited tonnage license with sea time from EPFs. However, once you are in port long enough, the sea time goes from day for day to 1 for 3. This means it will take longer for you to upgrade your license if you are on one of the lesser operating ships.

Deck Day Workers 

Deck department day workers complete typical maintenance items, routine fire marshal duties and do lots of cleaning. However, since the hull is aluminum, there is no chipping and painting. Also unique to the EPFs is the fact that ABs are rated back and forth between watch standing and day work. When underway, they are rated to watch, and when pier side, they are rated to day workers. This is not the case on other MSC vessels, and the re-rates may cause issues with pay. Every time one is re-rated, and SF-50 needs to be processed shoreside to ensure pay is issued correctly. 

Engine Officers 

To operate an EPF, you need to be type rated per the per the IMO High Speed Craft (HSC) Code. Historically, the type rating training is offered at Training Center Hampton Roads (TCHR) and involves a class, simulator time, a test and an underway period on an EPF to familiarize yourself with the ship and get the needed sea time to qualify for the endorsement.

Also unique to the EPFs, the EOS/Engine Watch is stood on the bridge when underway. When underway, the engineer on watch is not allowed to leave the bridge per the High-Speed Code Officer requirements. The Engine Utility (EU) on watch is responsible completing all the rounds and for solving almost all the plant issues. If the EU cannot fix the problem with guidance from the watch officer (who is on the bridge), the engineer on watch needs to be relieved from the bridge by another engineer to troubleshoot the issue. 

The EPF vessel has over 48,000 horsepower, so it has more than enough horsepower to satisfy upgrading an unlimited motors license. Engine Officers run into the same problem as Deck Officers if the ship has limited time underway; however, if the ship is on ships power, not shore power, the engineering time counts day for day and the timer for when the time counts as 1 for 3 is reset.

On an EPF, expect to make lots of water and have many fuel transfers. It is a small ship with small tanks. The EUs have a lot of responsibility, and most of the ships will have them fill water and pump sewage during watch.

Engine Unlicensed

Engine Utilities have arguably the hardest job on an EPF. EUs on EPFs have a lot more responsibility than EUs in the typical fleet and need to know what’s going on in a technical sense. The EU will go on all the watch standing rounds underway and serve as both the deck rover and the engine watch stander. To make it more complicated, the engine room is only accessible by ladders and hatches. Additionally, EUs are often required to help tie up the ship and act as a line handler to assist the Deck Department because of the limited crew. 

In an EPF Supply Department, there is a JSO, who is the Supply Department Head, a Steward Cook, a Cook Baker and 2 SUs. The JSO EPF position is an independent duty and should be completed by experienced JSO who are confident in abilities. Before accepting an EPF assignment, JSO should be well versed in GPC procedures, Port Services, Non-Standard Orders, Department Head Duties and Food Service Operations. There is no one on board you can ask for help, and this should not be your first JSO assignment. 

The Communications Department is usually only two people, an SCO and an RET. Due to the small department size, it is a lot different than the bigger ships as there is a lot more responsibility for both the SCO and RETs. They will still have to keep up with all the normal message traffic and maintenance and should be confident in their ability to do their jobs. 

The maritime industry can be unpredictable. Missions, ports, policies and procedures frequently changes, and not having the most up to date information is frustrating. If something we wrote needs an update, or if we missed something important that should be added or highlighted, drop us a line via the form below and we will work to get the information updated as soon as possible! Safe sailing!