Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations and IMO Conventions and Codes including the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and ensure that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by IMO, the classification societies and maritime industry organisations are taken into account.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 1).

Work involves the application of marine engineering practice to the management of fuel and ballast operations on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Contribution to the development and implementation of a broad plan or strategy for the management of fuel and ballast operations is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires significant judgement in planning, engineering and leadership functions related to fuel and ballast operations within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 1). This includes management, training and control of personnel, analysis of the situation and decision making.

Worksite environment
Fuel and ballast operations may be managed on an Australian or international commercial vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Fuel and ballast operations 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
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Types of machinery may include:
pumps and pumping systems
auxiliary systems and controls, including:
fuel, oil, gas, coal
bilge and ballast system, oily water separator
waste management and pollution control systems as per the MARPOL Convention
cargo pumps, tank washing machines and associated systems.

Testing and repair equipment may include:
meters and gauges, oxygen meter and gas detectors
computer displays of performance parameters
hand tools, such as spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers, hacksaws, etc.
greasing and lubrication tools
electric power tools, such as grinders, lathes, drills, etc.
pneumatic power tools, such as grinders, sanders, drills, etc.
welding equipment
block and tackle and portable and manual lifting equipment, cranes 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/overall.

Maintenance and repair hazards may include:
moving heavy loads in an unsafe work environment
unsecured machinery, components or repair equipment
slippery deck
welding equipment
sharp tools and implements, including power tools
moving and rotating machinery
flammable liquids, vapours and fuel
faulty machinery equipment handling equipment and lifting gear
using equipment beyond safe working limits
poor housekeeping procedures
non-compliance with safe working procedures
hot pipes and valves (steam, fuel oil, lubricating oil)
cold pipes and valves (refrigeration and liquefied.

Emergencies may include:
flooding of engine room
fire or explosion in engine room
fuel oil, lubrication oil, steam and gas leaks
overheating and overspeed of machinery, governors, emergency trips
dangerous atmosphere.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
vessel and company's planned maintenance system, repair procedures and instructions
machinery and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
maintenance log, running sheets and records including computer database of running information and maintenance records where relevant
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to shipboard machinery used in fuel, bilge and ballast operations
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard machinery operation, maintenance and repair
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard machinery operation, maintenance and repair.

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 shipboard machinery operation, maintenance and repair on vessels of unlimited propulsion power.
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory engineering practice standards.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Organise and manage fuel, bilge and ballast operations within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 1)
Identify malfunctioning and faulty machinery and equipment used in fuel, bilge and ballast operations and components and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing fuel, bilge and ballast operations and related maintenance
Identify typical operational problems and hazards when carrying out fuel, bilge and ballast operations and take appropriate action within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 1)
Communicate effectively with others during fuel, bilge and ballast operations
Ensure adherence to national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes.

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 Engineer (Class 1).

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes including AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the management of fuel and ballast operations on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
Relevant OH&S and anti-pollution legislation, policies and procedures
Established engineering practice for the management of fuel, bilge and ballast operations including pollution control measures and the maintenance of related machinery, systems and equipment
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of shipboard machinery and equipment used in fuel, bilge and ballast operations
Procedures for carrying out shipboard machinery testing, trouble-shooting and repair as part of routine maintenance procedures to ensure compliance with the company and survey requirements and established safety rules and regulations
Planned maintenance systems and procedures for the performance monitoring of machinery and equipment used in fuel, bilge and ballast operations including responsibilities and requirements covered by various forms of vessel survey
The nature and causes of typical fuel, bilge and ballast operational problems and the available methods for their identification and rectification, including machinery malfunction fault-finding techniques
Fuel, bilge and ballast operational hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Procedures for the shipboard treatment of fuel and lubricating oils, including:
bunkering procedures and fuel transfer arrangements
the use and operation of centrifugal separators
the function and operation of a shipboard fuel blender and alternative fuel treatments
Causes and effects of fuel and lubricating oil contamination and ways and means of controlling such contamination, including the sampling and testing of oil
Procedures for assessing the performance of different fuel and ballast pumping systems and their components
Operational problems that occur with pumps and pumping systems handling sea water and action that can be taken to minimise or rectify these problems
Influences on vessel stability and correct procedures relating to dry-docking, free surface, cargo shift and other occurrences affecting stability
Procedures for the initiation and coordination of temporary and permanent repair and/or replacement procedures on board vessels at sea, alongside and in dry dock
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to shipboard machinery inspection and maintenance operations
Maintenance and repair records that must be maintained on a vessel to meet the requirements of the company, survey requirements and regulatory authorities
Maritime communication techniques needed during fuel and ballast operations
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret machinery performance readings and indications
Knowledge of fuel, bilge and ballast systems, machinery and equipment and ability to read and interpret vessel and machinery specifications, machinery design drawings, machine drawings, operational manuals, specifications and electrical and control circuit diagrams
Awareness and understanding of fuel specifications
Principles and procedures of machinery lubrication, including:
theory and types of lubrication
relative characteristics, and applications of mineral and synthetic oils
contaminants that may affect lubricants, their effect on machinery performance, and action that can be taken to avoid and remedy contamination of lubricants
Properties and characteristics of liquids, fuels and lubricants used onboard vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to manage fuel, bilge and ballast operations on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power, including the ability to identify an appropriate range of possible machinery malfunctions and take appropriate action; and/or
carry out fuel, bilge and ballast operations in a range of operational situations on a commercial or training vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
managing fuel, bilge and ballast operations on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
identifying fuel, bilge and ballast machinery and equipment malfunctions on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
taking action to minimise any damage and pollution that could be caused by fuel, bilge and ballast machinery malfunctions
identifying and evaluating fuel, bilge and ballast operational problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to fuel, bilge and ballast operational procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to fuel, bilge and ballast operations
completing operational and maintenance documentation and records.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of international Conventions and Codes and AMSA Marine Orders
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
anti-pollution procedures and regulations including the MARPOL Convention
ISM Code safety management system procedures and work instructions fuel and ballast operations and related maintenance, including machinery specifications and directions on equipment capability and limitations
machinery security procedures
following on-board housekeeping processes
waste, pollution and recycling management processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify machinery malfunctions, non-conformities, accidents, hazardous occurrences and safety incidents in accordance with statutory requirements, company procedures and the ISM Code.

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.