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The role of ETO covers the yacht’s audiovisual and communications systems, as well as maintaining all electrical and electronic equipment on board. From the yacht’s radar and navigation systems to the WiFi, security systems and AV systems, the ETO’s responsibilities are complex and ever-growing.
The ETO works in the engineering department and reports to the Chief Engineer.
The importance of the ETO’s role is increasing by the year. 15 years ago, many yachts still didn’t have WiFi, and iPhones and iPads didn’t exist yet (let alone be used to control the yacht’s AV). The more advanced yachts had movie and music databases like Kaleidoscope and smart systems like CRESTRON, but a lot of large superyachts still had cupboards full of DVDs and CDs (and a folder with a neatly typed out catalogue to choose them from!)
Yes, you laugh, but it really wasn’t very long ago. The yacht’s engineer could stay across the AV and comms systems with relative ease, as well as carrying out their other duties. But as the tech on board continued to grow, this juggling act became more complex, and the role of ETO was born.
Today, a superyacht carries a juggernaut of audiovisual and communications equipment.
Guests want to be able to stream movies on their iPad, watch a big game on the cinema screen, and play their Spotify playlist on the gym speakers. Guests log into different WiFi across the different areas of the yacht, and many guests want to be able to work and teleconference remotely from their yacht office.
Yet the ETO’s role is far more fundamental than WiFi and AV. The operations and safe navigation of the yacht depends on the yacht’s electronic systems working seamlessly.
The ETO will be responsible for the electrical components of many systems on board, from navigation to water treatment to fire detection. Importantly for the future as the superyacht fleet becomes more ‘green’, ETO’s will also need to maintain diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems.
Only crew holding a recognised ETO qualification can take a role as a yacht ETO. You can work towards attaining your ETO qualification while employed on a yacht as a deckhand/junior ETO. Many (the majority) of yachts still do not have an ETO on board due to crew capacity, but ETO skills are increasingly in demand. This demand is likely to grow, with reports that yachts with diesel-electric propulsion may soon legally require someone with an ETO qualification on board.
An ETO is an exciting role where you will always be learning. You will have some interaction with guests when helping them with their tech devices, and you will need to have superb problem-solving skills and a desire for continuous education. Brand-specific certification such as in Crestron or Apple will likely be advantageous.
Like in all yachting roles, you will need to be a team player. You will likely be asked to assist with general engineering duties, while having additional yacht skills such as tender-driving or watersports will also act in your favour when applying.
