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 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 operation and routine servicing of the auxiliary systems on a small vessel and the application of solutions to a defined range of servicing problems.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any small commercial vessel up to 750 kW propulsion power.

Operation and servicing of auxiliary systems may be conducted:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchored or moored
in dry dock
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Auxiliary systems may include:
steering gear, including emergency steering
lubricating oil and cooling water systems
pumps, bilge and sea water systems
refrigeration systems
fuel and fuel oil systems.

Basic servicing may include:
routine servicing in accordance with established procedures
routine visual and performance checks
identification of poor performance or faults in the operation of auxiliary systems
identification of faulty equipment or fittings and arranging for repair or replacement
repair or replacement of faulty equipment and components
application of lubricants to moving parts of equipment in auxiliary systems.

Servicing tools and equipment may include:
hand tools including screwdrivers, spanners, wrenches
lifting gear and equipment
greasing and lubrication tools
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots and helmet
dust and fume masks.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
Australian USL Code
company servicing procedures
servicing schedules and records
manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
instructions, specifications and recommended procedures of manufacturers of servicing tools and materials.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code related to the operation and servicing of auxiliary systems on small vessels
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate auxiliary systems on a small vessel
Carry out servicing and basic repairs of auxiliary systems on a small vessel
Identify typical problems related to the servicing of auxiliary systems on a small vessel and take appropriate action
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during operation and routine servicing of auxiliary systems
Communicate effectively with others when operating and carrying out basic servicing on auxiliary systems 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 2).

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation and codes of practice
Procedures for the operation and routine servicing of auxiliary systems on a small vessel
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation and routine servicing of auxiliary systems on a small vessel
Typical problems related to the during the operation and servicing of auxiliary systems on small vessels and appropriate action and solutions
Principle features and operating characteristics of typical steering systems and steering system components used on small vessels, including:
rudder construction
rudder types
rudder and stock support bearings
glands, packing and seals
tiller arm attachment
steering operation using hydraulic, cable and rod and gear
requirements for the servicing and testing of steering and related hydraulic systems
Principle features and operating characteristics of typical pumping systems and pumping system components used on small vessels, including:
fire, bilge, and tank circulating systems
basic fault identification and servicing procedures
procedures for the prevention of corrosion in pumping systems
valve types including their construction and maintenance
back flooding prevention procedures
strainers, mudboxes and footvalves
use of flexible materials, hoses, etc.
drive systems, belts, clutches, motors, etc.
Principle features and operating characteristics of typical fuel and fuel oil systems used on small vessels, including:
basic principles of operation of fuel and fuel oil systems
hazards when working with fuel and fuel oil systems
environmental issues and responsibilities concerning operation and servicing of fuel and fuel oil systems
Principle features and operating characteristics of typical refrigeration system used on small vessels, including:
basic principles of operation
operating functions of component parts
start up and shut down procedures
system pump down procedures
procedures for starting a system that has not pumped down correctly
plant manfunctions and action that can be taken
dangers of rerigerant gases and related legislation
procedures for adding lubricating oil to a refrigeration compressor
Maritime communication techniques needed during the operation and servicing of auxiliary systems on small vessels
Servicing records that are maintained on a small commercial vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to operate and service auxiliary systems on small vessels falling within the limits of responsibility of Marine Engine Driver (Grade 2), and/or
operate and carry out routine servicing on auxiliary systems on an operational small commercial or training vessel within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 2).

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
operating auxiliary systems on a small commercial vessel
carrying out routine servicing of auxiliary systems on a small vessel
identifying and evaluating routine operational and basic servicing problems and determining appropriate courses of action
applying safety and pollution control precautions when operating auxiliary systems on a small vessel.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of Australian USL Code
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
manufacturer's guidelines relating to operating and routine servicing of auxiliary systems on a small vessel
environmental protection procedures when carrying out servicing operations.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify issues and problems identified with operating and servicing auxiliary systems.

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.