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 application of specified procedures for the operation and basic maintenance on low and medium voltage electrical systems onboard a small vessel and the application of solutions to a variety of predictable basic 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 systems may include those typically found on a small commercial vessel (for permissible voltage ranges: i.e. up to 50 Volts AC and 115 Volts DC).

Operation and basic maintenance of onboard low and medium voltage systems may be carried out:
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.

Basic maintenance may include:
preventative maintenance inspections, checks and procedures
routine inspections of systems and equipment
identification of poor performance or faulty operation
identification of faulty equipment or fittings and arranging for repair or replacement
basic fault-finding and repair of low and medium voltage systems within limits of responsibility.

Equipment to be operated and maintained may include:
low and medium voltage AC and DC electrical distribution circuits
single and three phase medium voltage electrical power systems
protection devices typically used on the low and medium voltage electrical systems small vessels
equipment for connection to shore power
batteries and battery circuits
earth indicating devices.

Maintenance tools and equipment may include:
hand tools including screw drivers, pliers, cutters, soldering iron, etc.
meters, tong testers, wattmeters, meggers and other relevant instrumentation
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
head gear and helmet
safety boots.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements and wiring rules
maintenance records
company maintenance procedures
manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
relevant Australian standards.

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 electrical maintenance on small vessels
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements and wiring rules.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate and carry out maintenance and checks on low and medium voltage electrical systems and associated equipment in accordance with regulatory restrictions and manufacturer's instructions
Initiate and coordinate maintenance, repair or replacement of faulty or damaged equipment and components in accordance with regulatory restrictions and manufacturer's instructions
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during operational and maintenance operations
Communicate effectively with others when carrying out operations and maintenance procedures onboard a 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 legislation and electrical regulations and wiring rules
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.
Limits of responsibility in terms of company requirements and electrical licensing requirements
Procedures for the operation and routine maintenance of low and medium voltage electrical systems, on a small vessel falling within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 2), including:
standard operating procedures for low and medium voltage electrical systems used on small vessels
preventative maintenance checks and procedures
the use of appropriate instrumentation when checking performance and identifying faults
procedures and precautions when connecting batteries
procedures for connecting a small vessel to shore power
basic fault-finding techniques
procedures for localising faults and isolating faulty circuits and equipment
repair and replacement procedures
safety precautions and hazard minimisation strategies when working on low and medium voltage electrical systems
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation and maintenance of low and medium voltage systems and associated equipment on a small vessel
Principles of typical low and medium voltage systems used on small vessels, including:
basic electro-technology and electrical circuit theory (relevant to the operation and maintenance of low and medium voltage electrical systems on a small vessel)
basic care and maintenance of shipboard electrical systems generally
configuration of typical AC and DC low voltage electrical systems used on a small vessel
batteries - types, care, maintenance, hazards and safety precautions
use of protection devices including the selection of correct capacity
types of starter motors and alternators typically used on small vessels
series and parallel operation
Problems related to the during the operation and maintenance of low and medium voltage systems, starter motors and alternators on small vessels and appropriate action and solutions
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret equipment manuals, specifications and circuit diagrams
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret machinery performance readings and indications
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 carry out basic routine maintenance on low and medium voltage electrical systems within the permissible voltage levels on a small vessel, and/or
operate and carry out basic routine maintenance on low and medium voltage electrical systems within the permissible voltage levels on an operational small commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
operating and carrying out maintenance on low and medium voltage systems
identifying and evaluating operational and maintenance problems and determining appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to the operation and maintenance of low and medium voltage systems.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
OHS regulations, pollution control and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
manufacturer's guidelines relating to the operation and basic routine maintenance of low and medium voltage electrical systems.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify issues and problems identified with the operation and basic routine maintenance of low and medium voltage 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.