Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in accordance with relevant regulations.

Work is performed under the direction and supervision of the engineer, within defined practice and procedures with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the assistance to the engineer in the planned basic routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems on a vessel.

Worksite environment
The vessel may be any Australian or international commercial vessel of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more.

Assistance in the basic maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems 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
while in dry dock.

Propulsion plant configurations may include:
low speed, medium and high speed diesel propulsion
stern tube bearing
CPP
direct drive shaft
diesel electric
steam turbine
gas turbine
reduction gears
thrust blocks, detuners and shaft bearings.

Main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems may include:
steam turbine, diesel, diesel electric and gas turbine propulsion systems and controls
steam boilers
steering gear, stabilizers, bow thrusters, rudders
fluid power systems and controls
pumps and pumping systems
ancillary systems and controls, including:
fresh and salt water cooling systems
lubricating oil cooling systems
fuel, oil, gas, coal
air starting
lubrication
onboard air compressors and compressed air and control air systems
waste management and pollution control systems as per the MARPOL Convention
sewage plant
fixed fire fighting installations and fire control systems.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of steerage
flooding of engine room
fire or explosion in engine room
loss of refrigeration
loss of water making ability
fuel oil, lubrication oil, steam and gas leaks
loss of electrical power
pump failure
overheating and overspeed of machinery, governors, emergency trips
electric shock.

Potential hazards during operation of main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems may include:
operating equipment beyond safe working limits
moving and rotating machinery
working in confined spaces
faulty machinery equipment handling equipment and lifting gear
non-compliance with safe working procedures
hot pipes and valves (steam, fuel oil, lubricating oil)
cold pipes and valves (refrigeration and liquefied gas cargoes)
flammable liquids, vapours and fuel
working at heights
moving heavy loads using unsafe lifting procedures
unsecured machinery, components or equipment
slippery deck
poor housekeeping procedures
sharp tools and implements
power tools
dangerous atmosphere
overspeed of electrical machinery, emergency trips
noxious and dangerous cargoes
machinery overload.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
planned maintenance systems, procedures and engineer's instructions
running sheets, operations logs and other records
computer database of running information
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems
vessel's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules related to the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems on vessels of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Assist the engineer in the planned basic routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems
Identify and report to the engineer signs of malfunction in the main and ancillary machinery and associated systems
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when assisting in the planned basic routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems
Communicate effectively with the engineer and other team members others during maintenance activities.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory competency units that form part of a job role of an integrated rating.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation and policies
Procedures required of an integrated rating if assisting the Engineer in the performance of inspections, maintenance and data recording on main propulsion and ancillary machinery and systems, including:
parameters to be measured and recorded
the types of machinery faults that should be recognised by an integrated rating
procedures for soot blowing boiler tubes
procedures for draining scavenge spaces
procedures for assisting the engineer, if required, in the warming through and shut down of a marine diesel engine plant
procedures for the preparation of tools and equipment used in maintenance operations
procedures for the cleaning of propulsion and ancillary machinery (as required of an integrated rating)
procedures for identifying and rectifying basic faults in a lifeboat engine
procedures for the warming through of a steam line and the prevention of water hammer
procedures for the lubrication of machinery (as required of an integrated rating)
procedures on domestic piping/pumping systems (as required of an integrated rating)
procedures for assisting the engineer in the isolation of systems for maintenance activities
A basic understanding of the operational characteristics and normal performance of the main and ancillary machinery and associated control systems
Typical hazards and problems that can occur in the engine-room at any time as well as during the maintenance of main and ancillary machinery and associated systems.
Elementary principles of diesel engine basic maintenance, including:
the operating cycles and types of diesel engines
the major components of marine diesel engines and their functions
the maintenance 'running-sheets' to be recorded by an integrated rating
basic maintenance on diesel engines to be conducted by an integrated rating under the supervision of an engineer
Elementary principles of marine steam turbine basic maintenance, including:
steam flow through a typical marine turbine
the major components of marine steam turbines and their functions
the maintenance 'running-sheets' to be recorded by an integrated rating
basic maintenance on marine steam turbines to be conducted by an integrated rating under the supervision of an engineer
Elementary principles of marine steam boiler basic maintenance, including:
the uses of steam on board a vessel
the methods of generating steam on board a vessel
the features, elements, functions and applications of low, medium and high pressure boilers
basic maintenance on marine steam boilers to be conducted by an integrated rating under the supervision of an engineer
Elementary principles of marine shafting systems and their basic maintenance, including:
propeller types
the features and functions of thrust blocks, intermediate bearings, gear box and stern tube
the methods of achieving astern motion on a vessel
basic maintenance on marine shafting systems to be conducted by an integrated rating under the supervision of an engineer
Elementary principles and functions of marine ancillary systems and their basic maintenance, including:
various valve and pump types commonly encountered on vessels and their functions
various types of heat exchangers commonly encountered on vessels and their functions
fresh water generators
pollution control and waste handling equipment
steering mechanisms
electrical distributions systems including an awareness of the license restrictions of the statutory electrical authorities
refrigeration systems
centrifuge purifiers
sea water systems
fresh water cooling systems
lubricating oil systems
fuel oil systems
compressed air system
seed water system
steam/condensate system
Manufacturer's warnings and instructions concerning the handling and use of chemicals and cleansing agents
Procedures for the use of personal protection clothing and equipment (PPE)
Procedures and precautions for entering, after authorization by a responsible officer, confined spaces on a vessel
Freezer space and engine-room escape procedures
Dangers associated with compressed air and high pressure fluids and related precautions
Hazards and dangers associate with electricity and related precautions
Dangers associated with lubricating operating steering mechanisms and related precautions
Operational and maintenance records that must be maintained on a vessel
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Maritime communication techniques needed during the maintenance of main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to assist the engineer in the planned routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems on a vessel; and/or
assist the engineer in the planned routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems on a commercial or training vessel of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
assisting the engineer in the planned basic routine maintenance of the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated systems
applying safety precautions relevant to the main propulsion and ancillary machinery and associated system
completing documentation and records as directed.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant maritime regulations
OHS regulations pollution control and hazard prevention regulations and policies
ISM Code safety management system procedures, quality procedures and work instructions
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action taken promptly to report signs of malfunctions in main and ancillary machinery and associated systems in accordance with regulations, shipboard procedures and the ISM Code.

Work is completed systematically to required standard.

Context for assessment
Assessment of this unit must include approved arrangements for the assessment of knowledge and practical competence.

Assessment of knowledge and competence may occur:
at a recognised maritime training institution, and/or
concurrently with practical assessment:
at a recognised maritime training institution through practical exercises and case studies that suitably-simulate the operation of main and ancillary machinery, and/or associated systems, and/or
during seatime on a working or training vessel of 3,000 kW propulsion power or more.

Approved practical assessment may occur:
at a recognised maritime training institution through practical exercises and case studies that suitably-simulate the operation of main and ancillary machinery, and/or associated systems, and/or
during seatime on a working or training vessel of 3,000kW propulsion power or more.

Assessment of competence must comply with the relevant regulatory requirements.