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 required outcomes. It involves the operation, testing and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment on a vessel and the application of solutions to a defined range of maintenance problems.
Note: All installation, maintenance and repair of AC (50 volts or above) DC (above 115 volts) must be carried out only by a suitably qualified engineer or licensed tradesman. Relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements must be fulfilled by any persons carrying out installation, maintenance and repair of electrical circuits and systems at such voltages on a vessel.

Worksite environment
Electrical machinery and electronic control equipment may include that typically found on any small commercial vessel of up to 1,500 kW propulsion power.

Performance monitoring and repair of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment may be carried out:
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.

Types of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment may include:
main switchboard and shipboard power distribution systems including:
distribution circuits and wiring
protection devices
circuit breakers
a.c. motors generators and alternators
d.c. motors and generators
paralleling
electronic instrumentation and power supply circuits
emergency supply systems including emergency generators, emergency switchboard and battery banks
programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
signal transmission systems used for monitoring and control
temperature and pressure sensors
electronic PID controllers
analog to digital converters
electrical machinery and electronic control equipment space monitoring alarm and control systems
electronic governors
deck electrical machinery.

Emergencies may include:
loss of electrical power
short circuits and open-circuits in distribution systems
loss of electronic/electrical control of systems
flooding of vessel
fire or explosion onboard vessel
failure of emergency alarm and control systems
loss of refrigeration
overloading of electrical systems.

Testing and repair equipment may include:
electronic instrumentation meters and gauges
computer displays of performance parameters
hand tools, such as soldering irons, pliers, cutters, wire-strippers, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers, hacksaws, etc.
electric and pneumatic power tools, such as drills, etc.
portable and manual lifting equipment including block and tackle and hydraulic jacks
material safety data sheets
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots and helmet
dust and fume masks
boilersuit/overalls.

Maintenance and repair hazards may include:
exposed live circuits and faulty earth connections
moving heavy loads using unsafe lifting procedures
unsecured machinery and equipment
sharp tools and implements
power tools
moving and rotating electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
faulty equipment, handling equipment and lifting gear
using equipment beyond safe working limits
poor housekeeping procedures
non-compliance with safe working procedures
electrical wiring and systems
working at heights
overspeed of electrical machinery, emergency trips.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
maintenance and repair procedures and instructions
electrical machinery and electronic control equipment and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
maintenance logs, running sheets, records
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to vessel's electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
vessel's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code dealing with maintenance and repair.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of USL Code related to shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment maintenance and repair on vessels up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation
requirements of relevant State/Territory electrical licensing authorities.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate and monitor the performance of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment against specifications on a small commercial vessel
Identify malfunctioning and faulty electrical machinery and electronic control equipment and components within permissible voltages and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Make safe faulty electrical systems and equipment
Trouble-shoot malfunctioning and faulty electrical machinery and electronic control equipment and carry out required repairs within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1), permissible voltages and licensing authority restrictions
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the operation, maintenance and repair of vessel's electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
Identify typical electrical machinery and electronic control equipment maintenance and repair problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during maintenance and repair operations including effective use of internal communication systems
Ensure adherence to USL Code and requirements of relevant State/Territory electrical licensing authorities.

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
Regulations of relevant State/Territory electrical licensing authorities
Note: All installation, maintenance and repair of AC (50 volts or above) DC (above 115 volts) must be carried out only by a suitably qualified engineer or licensed tradesman. Relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements must be fulfilled by any persons carrying out installation, maintenance and repair of electrical circuits and systems at such voltages on a vessel.
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation, policies and procedures
Procedures for carrying out shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment testing, trouble-shooting and repair as part of routine maintenance procedures falling within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 2), including reporting of faulty machinery equipment to contractors for repair as required
A basic understanding of the power distribution and control circuits used onboard vessels of up to 1,500 kW propulsion power and their associated operational electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment found on a vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
The nature and causes of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment malfunctions and the available methods for their detection and repair falling within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1)
Basic characteristics and application of electrical machines t used on small vessels as they relate to the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1), including:
a.c. and d.c. motors
a.c. generators including requirements for the parallel operation and the process of synchronisation
three phase motors
three phase alternators operating singly and in parallel
three phase transformers
Basic procedures for the calibration and adjustment of transmitters and controllers in control systems
Basic principles of analogue and digital programmable logic controllers (PLCs) as they relate to the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1)
Basic theory, principles of operation and application in small vessel electrical/electronic equipment of:
common active devices
common integrated circuit devices and digital electronic circuits
Principles and procedures for electrical measurement, including the use of relevant instruments
Maritime communication techniques needed during routine maintenance operations
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret electrical machinery and electronic control equipment performance readings and instrumentation
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Principles of electrotechnology, including:
the electric circuit
basics of cabling, distribution and lighting systems typically used on a small vessel
deck electrical machinery and related electronic control equipment
basic electronics
instruments, calibration and testing
fire and emergency alarm systems
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret equipment specifications, drawings, and manuals
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to marine electrical machinery and electronic control equipment inspection and maintenance operations
Safe procedures for the use of hand and power tools and maintenance equipment.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies, simulated fault situations and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to operate and basically test and maintain electrical machinery and electronic control equipment within permissible voltages, including the ability to identify an appropriate range of possible electrical machinery and electronic control equipment malfunctions and coordinate related maintenance and repair solutions; and/or
operate and basically test, maintain and repair electrical machinery and electronic control equipment in a range of operational situations on a commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
operating and testing marine electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
identifying shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment malfunctions and faulty plant and equipment of a small vessel
coordinating repairs of marine electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
applying safety precautions relevant to electrical machinery and electronic control equipment maintenance and repair operations
completing maintenance and repair documentation and records.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of Australian USL Code
OHS and electrical licensing regulations
manufacturers specifications and instructions for the operation, testing, maintenance and repair of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify electrical machinery and electronic control equipment malfunctions.

Work is managed, controlled and 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.