Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ship operations and maintenance

Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:18 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Unit of competency

National Code
MARL053

State Code
OCH15

TGA Status
Current

DTWD Status
Approved

Current Release Number
3.00

Current Release Date
22/11/2024

View on TGA

State Implementation and Classification

Approved Date

09/04/2021

Field of Education

031705 - Marine Craft Operation

Original Release Date

09/04/2021

Nominal Hours

Description

Notes

Elements and Performance Criteria

1 Analyse regulatory framework impacting on commercial shipping operations and survey requirements

1.1 Functions of IMO, its fields of influence, role of member states, adoption of recommendations through maritime legislation and exemptions are analysed
1.2 Role of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention in relation to dockyard and shipboard practices is analysed
1.3 Key provisions of Australian maritime legislation are analysed
1.4 Role of AMSA in relation to maritime safety, protection of marine environment, and aviation and marine search and rescue (SAR) is explained
1.5 Role of Flag State Administrations; purpose of the Navigation Act, Marine Notices, Marine Orders, Port State Control and other methods of implementation and enforcement of international agreements and conventions are analysed
1.6 Role of insurance underwriters, protection and indemnity (P & I) clubs and procedures for lodging claims following machinery failure and/or damage are analysed
1.7 Role of classification societies, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and Memorandum of Agreement with Flag States is analysed
1.8 Role of ship owners and ship management companies regarding International Safety Management (ISM) Code and ship management responsibilities regarding operation and maintenance is analysed
1.9 Role of independent inspection agencies and adoption of inspection and maintenance guidelines for different ship types is analysed
1.10 STCW crew training requirements and implications for emergency response, administration, operation and maintenance are analysed
1.11 Key provisions of the Code of Safe Working Practice for Australian Seafarers are analysed
1.12 Areas of vessel covered by statutory surveys are identified
1.13 Statutory requirements for change of flag, owner and term expiry during layup are identified
1.14 Records and documentation required for statutory surveys, legislation and measures are identified to ensure protection of the marine environment and safety of life at sea are identified
1.15 Load line measurements and conditions of freeboard assignment are analysed
1.16 Key areas of maintenance and testing of load line items and actions for addressing identified maintenance requirements and defects are identified
1.17 Areas covered by safety construction surveys and associated faults, maintenance and repairs are identified
1.18 Procedures for planning safety equipment surveys and actions for addressing identified maintenance requirements and defects are analysed
1.19 Requirements for survey preparation under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) are analysed
1.20 Survey requirements for cargo ship safety construction, safety equipment and safety radio certificates; passenger ship safety certificates; chemical tanker and gas carrier certificates of fitness are analysed
1.21 Application of Port State Control surveys, Flag State jurisdiction and IMO guidelines in relation to vessel detention and identification of substandard ships are analysed
1.22 Substandard ship and factors causing ship detention are identified

2 Analyse maintenance for classification surveys and maintain class certification

2.1 Common areas covered by classification surveys are analysed, reasons for class withdrawal are clarified and condition of class are explained
2.2 Survey methods are analysed
2.3 Terms of periodical, annual, renewal, intermediate and occasional surveys are identified
2.4 Common defects identified in classification surveys and appropriate remedial actions are analysed
2.5 Methods for repair and maintenance are analysed
2.6 Properties and repair techniques of ordinary and high tensile hull grades of steel are analysed
2.7 Processes and materials used in underwater hull repairs are assessed
2.8 Methods of minimising and controlling internal and external hull corrosion, including bacterial corrosion of bilges and fuel tanks, are evaluated
2.9 Drainage arrangements and connections to other systems of spaces outside the engine room are explained
2.10 Ballast main connections to fore and after peak tanks are outlined and procedures for filling and emptying tanks are clarified
2.11 Examination and repair techniques for fixed pitch and controllable propellers are assessed
2.12 Dismantling, inspection, repair and re-assembly of thrusters and rudders are explained
2.13 Methods of performance testing shipboard pumping systems are evaluated
2.14 Causes of common faults and methods of assessment of shipboard pumping systems are identified
2.15 Condition monitoring of machinery is compared with planned maintenance systems
2.16 Causes of damage to and losses of bulk ships and tankers, and appropriate remedies are explained
2.17 Types and purpose of special and enhanced surveys are outlined
2.18 Hull life extension surveys and enhanced survey requirements for tankers and bulk ships are outlined
2.19 Different methods and applications of welding used in shipbuilding and repair are outlined
2.20 How materials are joined so that the strength of components is not impaired is confirmed
2.21 Different methods used to connect aluminium to steel are outlined

3 Analyse factors influencing vessel stability

3.1 Theories and factors affecting trim and stability as well as measures necessary to preserve trim and stability are explained
3.2 IMO recommendations concerning ship stability are identified
3.3 Risks associated with carrying thixotropic bulk cargo, deck cargo or grain and consequences of cargo movement or loss are outlined
3.4 Damage and intact stability requirements for merchant ships, countermeasures for roll-on and roll-off (ro-ro) vessels and damage control assessment following collision or grounding is assessed
3.5 Operational procedures to minimise and control flooding are prepared
3.6 Stability requirements for routine and emergency dry docking, including stability assessment for the docking duration, are specified
3.7 Factors causing ship squat and other influences on vessel manoeuvrability are assessed
3.8 Stability documentation required for different ship types to satisfy International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is identified
3.9 Intact and damage stability criteria are explained
3.10 Use of stabilisers is explained
3.11 Bilge keels and fin type stabilisers are compared and contrasted
3.12 How stabilisers are attached to the hull is explained
3.13 Hull stiffening requirements for fin and bilge keel types is explained

4 Analyse IMDG Code requirements

4.1 Key principles of IMDG Code are analysed
4.2 Action plans for managing emergency situations onboard a vessel involving dangerous goods are developed
4.3 Criteria for evaluating effectiveness of action plans for managing emergency situations onboard a vessel involving dangerous goods are established
4.4 Requirements of ordering and taking bunkers, as well as discharging to shore side reception facilities, are specified

5 Analyse safe working practices in enclosed spaces

5.1 Function, status and limitations of chemist certificate of compliance is explained
5.2 Dangers of using cleaning solvents and painting in enclosed spaces using product safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) and work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines are assessed

6 Analyse dry docking procedures and responsibilities of engineering staff

6.1 Dockyard contract, docking specifications and survey requirements are used to plan preparation of vessel for docking, explaining variations required for emergency docking
6.2 Dock work schedules, responsibilities for engineering personnel and procedures for dock entry, duration and re-floating are prepared
6.3 Inspection and maintenance procedures for hull and machinery items in dock are explained
6.4 In-water hull cleaning methods and preparation essential for in-water surveys are evaluated
6.5 Types and application procedures of coatings used to protect ship hulls and tanks are identified
6.6 Procedures for vessel layup to satisfy class, insurance, owner and statutory requirements are prepared
6.7 Inspection and reactivation processes after prolonged layup are outlined

7 Analyse shipboard vibration

7.1 Appropriate terms are applied when describing vibration
7.2 Influence of materials, construction, loading patterns and ship type on natural hull vibration patterns is assessed
7.3 Significance of hull response to excitation by sea state, machinery and propulsion systems is explained
7.4 Methods of prediction and in-service assessment of resonant vibration are evaluated
7.5 Vibration-related structural and equipment damage and failure is identified
7.6 Solutions to troublesome vibration are proposed
7.7 Acceptable vibration limits using relevant standards are established

8 Analyse vessel bunkering requirements

8.1 Requirements for bunkering orders are analysed
8.2 Procedures for taking bunkers are analysed
8.3 Bunkering guidelines for spills and fire are analysed
8.4 Methods and requirements for sampling fuels are analysed
8.5 Procedures for assessing the quality and quantity of fuels are explained
8.6 Communication requirements and procedures during bunkering operations are analysed
8.7 Methods for monitoring levels and facilitating changeover of tanks are analysed

9 Outline maintenance, repair and safe working practices associated with lifting and lifesaving equipment

9.1 Safe working practices applicable to cranes, chain blocks, items of loose gear and other lifting equipment are identified
9.2 Safety and protective devices used in conjunction with lifting gear are identified
9.3 Means of testing and adjusting lifting gear are confirmed
9.4 Legislative and regulatory requirements for inspection, storage and maintenance of lifting gear are outlined
9.5 Purposes and procedures involved in annual and quadrennial surveys of cargo gear are clarified
9.6 Procedures for safe working load (SWL) and proof load tests, including lifeboat launching gear, are clarified
9.7 Safe working practices applicable to rigging and lifting heavy items during maintenance and repair are identified
9.8 Installation, operation and maintenance of lifesaving appliances and launching equipment are outlined
9.9 Safety and protective devices associated with lifesaving appliances and launching equipment are confirmed

10 Outline operation of an inert gas system for a tanker

10.1 Construction, operation and maintenance of individual components of inert gas system (IGS) are explained
10.2 Mandatory controls, alarms and cut-outs are identified

11 Outline components of vessels, frame and deck

11.1 Correct terms to describe size and shape of vessels are used
11.2 Correct terms to describe structural components of vessels are used
11.3 Correct terms to describe size or cargo carrying capacity of vessels are used
11.4 Online and other sources of information on size, shape and structural components of vessels are accessed
11.5 Longitudinal, transverse and combined framing are compared and contrasted in relation to ship strength
11.6 Position, purpose and construction of a deep frame are explained
11.7 Transition methods from one frame type to another are outlined
11.8 How the strength of frames is maintained when connecting to deck beams and other strength members is explained
11.9 How stress raisers are reduced around hatchways, door openings, forecastle, bridge structure, watertight doors and gastight doors is explained
11.10 Bilge keels structure with particular reference to fitment to hull is outlined and purpose for this type of fitting is explained
11.11 Classification requirements and restrictions of sheer strake, keel strake and garboard strake are examined
11.12 Requirements for use of suction and discharge valves and fittings in the shell above and below the waterline are outlined
11.13 Strength members required for deck machinery are outlined

12 Explain static and dynamic forces and moments exerted on hull of a vessel

12.1 Correct terms to describe effects of forces exerted on hull are used
12.2 Various forces acting on the vessel are analysed
12.3 Stresses on various components of the hull are compared as a result of these forces
12.4 Differentiation is made between panting and pounding forces
12.5 How forepeak sections are strengthened to resist panting and pounding forces is explained
12.6 Anchor and cable arrangements in forepeak tank are explained
12.7 Strength members in afterpeak sections are outlined
12.8 Different rudder support arrangements are clarified

13 Explain how vessel structure is designed to resist distortion

13.1 Scantlings are defined
13.2 Classification society rules for determining scantling sizes are identified
13.3 Main strength members of vessel hull are identified
13.4 Importance of maintaining integrity of principal strength members is explained

14 Explain bottom structure, forepeak and afterpeak of vessels

14.1 Differentiation is made between different types of keel construction
14.2 Advantages and disadvantage of duct keel in relation to ship strength are explained
14.3 How safe access to the duct keel is obtained, is outlined
14.4 Longitudinally framed double bottom construction is distinguished from a transversely framed double bottom construction
14.5 Differentiation is made between bracket floors and plate floors
14.6 Structural requirements for supporting different types of main engines are outlined
14.7 Classification society rules for construction of forepeak and afterpeak sections are explained

15 Explain construction of watertight bulkheads

15.1 Purpose of bulkheads is stated
15.2 Minimum number of bulkheads and their locations are determined
15.3 Bulkhead is sketched showing construction and attachment to hull
15.4 Purpose, construction and location of collision bulkheads is outlined
15.5 Test procedures for bulkheads are clarified
15.6 How strength is maintained in openings is explained
15.7 Requirements for penetration of collision bulkhead are stated
15.8 Situations in which non-watertight bulkheads are fitted are identified

16 Outline vessel ventilation systems

16.1 Different types of ventilation systems are clarified
16.2 Why ventilator cowls are required is explained

No information

Replaces

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
AUG69	MARL036	Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ship operation and maintenance	Unit of competency
AUG76	MARL022	Demonstrate basic knowledge of ship construction	Unit of competency
AUG75	MARL023	Demonstrate basic knowledge of ship operation and maintenance	Unit of competency

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
BFV8	MAR60120	Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1)	Qualification