Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant sections of the Australian Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code applicable to small commercial vessels.

Work is performed within broad operational requirements, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards and limited responsibility for others in achieving the specified quality and quantity of outcomes. It involves the completion of routine calculations and their application to operations and routine maintenance on a small vessel.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any small commercial vessel.

Completion of calculations and the application of results to operational an maintenance decisions may be required:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
while underway
while anchored or moored
during maintenance operations
when vessel is slipped
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Calculations may include:
fuel and lubricating oil consumption during a voyage
hourly fuel consumption
theoretical steaming times and distances covered
requirements for replenishing oil in oil tanks
area and circumference of a circle
volumes of regularly shaped tanks
tank capacities and pumping capacities for tank filling and emptying
calculations involving theoretical vessel speed, propeller pitch and R.P.M.
calculations involving specific fuel consumption, power, speed and range
use of calibration tables to measure quantities in tanks
calculations involving stress, strain and safe working load
calculations involving mechanical advantage, load effort and moments
calculations involving units, specific gravity/relative density and levers
conversion of fractions to decimals.

Calculations may be carried out:
manually
with the aid of tables and charts
with the aid of a calculator
with the aid of a computer.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation sources of information and records may include:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
readings and data obtained from instrumentation, gauges, computers and other measuring devices
calibration charts and tables
running logs and databases
company reporting procedures
maintenance records
vessel and equipment manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation
relevant international and Australian standards.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Carry out operational and routine maintenance calculations on a small vessel
Apply results of calculations to engineering operations and maintenance decisions
Communicate effectively with others concerning their application to operational and maintenance decisions on a small vessel.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1).

Required knowledge and skills
Methods for working out typical operational and maintenance calculations required when operating a small vessel
Procedures and established marine practice concerning engineering calculations and their application to operations and maintenance decisions on a small vessel
Procedures for recording the results of engineering calculations on a small vessel and their application to operations and maintenance decisions using manual and computer-based recording systems
Issues related to the application of results of engineering calculations to typical operations and maintenance decisions on board a small commercial vessel
Communication techniques required in carrying out relevant calculations and applying them to operations and maintenance issues on board a small commercial vessel

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of exercises and assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to carry out the relevant calculations and apply them to operational and maintenance decisions on a small commercial vessel and to enter the outcomes of calculations into logs and record systems on a small vessel, and/or
completion of engineering calculations and apply them to operational and maintenance decisions when carrying out marine engine driving functions on a small commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out calculations on a small vessel
verifying the results of the calculations
applying the results of the calculations to related operations and maintenance decisions
maintaining required records of calculations and their application to operations and maintenance decisions.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
procedures for working out the relevant calculations using established methods
job procedures and work instructions
record keeping procedures and reporting requirements onboard a small vessel.

Action is taken promptly to report any operational and maintenance problems identified through engineering calculations.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.