Demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers

Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:03 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Unit of competency

National Code
MARL047

State Code
OCG97

TGA Status
Current

DTWD Status
Approved

Current Release Number
1.00

Current Release Date
27/10/2020

View on TGA

State Implementation and Classification

Approved Date

09/04/2021

Field of Education

031701 - Maritime Engineering

Original Release Date

09/04/2021

Nominal Hours

Description

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain marine auxiliary boilers on a commercial vessel. It includes evaluating steam plant efficiency, interpreting steam plant cycles, evaluating repairs required for boilers and steam plants, outlining survey procedures, and explaining operating steam plant under different conditions.This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:Engineer Class 1 (STCW Chief Engineer Unlimited)Engineer Class 2 (STCW Second Engineer Unlimited).Licensing/Regulatory InformationLegislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit. This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Engineer Class 1 (STCW Chief Engineer Unlimited) or Engineer Class 2 (STCW Second Engineer Unlimited) and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).Those regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.

Notes

Elements and Performance Criteria

1 Outline responsibilities of an Engineer Class 2 in relation to auxiliary boiler and steam plant of a vessel

1.1 Commonwealth, state/territory and local legislation and regulations that relate to marine boilers and steam plant in terms of safety, repairs and pollution, including implementation, is identified
1.2 Safe operating practices for all steam plant are examined and standing orders as to their operation are prepared or modified
1.3 Procedures for establishing engine room staff who are fully conversant with safe practices for boiler operation are outlined

2 Evaluate design and construction of marine auxiliary boilers

2.1 Typical boiler types illustrating cross-section, attachments and location of all fittings, mountings, scantlings and method of achieving circulation are examined
2.2 Material requirements for boiler components are identified
2.3 Construction of different types of boilers is analysed and difference recorded

3 Evaluate boiler and steam plant repairs

3.1 Types and properties of materials used in boilers and steam plant are identified
3.2 Common component failures in boilers and steam plant are explained and reported
3.3 Appropriate repairs for failed components in boilers and steam plant are determined
3.4 Constraints on engineering staff engaged in repairing boilers and steam plant are explained
3.5 Requirements to report defects in pressurised components of boilers are identified

4 Evaluate design and operation of thermal fluid heating plants

4.1 Different gauge glass types are compared
4.2 Typical thermal fluid heating plant is explained and advantages and limitations of the system are identified
4.3 Locations and functions of all fittings and safety devices in a typical thermal fluid system are explained
4.4 Properties of thermal fluid, effects of contamination and methods of testing fluid are analysed
4.5 Hazards associated with heat transfer oil systems are analysed
4.6 Routine maintenance procedures associated with heat transfer oil systems are outlined

5 Evaluate layout and design of marine steam systems and components

5.1 Thermal fluid heating is compared to conventional steam plant
5.2 Typical steam system layout showing location of all components on feed and heating side is detailed
5.3 Material requirements for steam system components are identified
5.4 Reasons for operating plant and systems at nominated temperatures and pressures, and effects of departing from these parameters, are explained

6 Interpret complex steam plant cycles

6.1 Operation, function and efficiency of dual pressure cycles and steam/steam generators are compared and contrasted
6.2 Operation of dual pressure and pass in/out turbines is explained

7 Evaluate steam plant efficiency

7.1 Combustion efficiency from flue gas constituents is assessed
7.2 Steam and fuel consumption to obtain heating efficiency is analysed
7.3 Causes of loss of steam plant efficiency are evaluated and recorded
7.4 Requirements of inert gas generation of boiler plant are determined

8 Explain methods of auxiliary steam plant operation and control under variable conditions

8.1 Methods of steam pressure control while manoeuvring and possible adverse impacts are analysed
8.2 How dew point can be reached when operating at reduced power is examined
8.3 How low powers can limit steam production by exceeding pinch point is explained

9 Outline procedures for inspecting marine auxiliary boilers and associated plant

9.1 Symptoms of faults in steam traps, hot wells, de-aerators, condensers, evaporators and requirements for contamination prevention between systems, are analysed
9.2 Procedures for shutting down, isolating and opening up a boiler for inspection or during an emergency are clarified
9.3 Possible defects that may occur in a boiler, fire and water side, their location and effects are analysed
9.4 Repair procedures commonly employed for damaged boilers are examined and limitations of such repairs are explained
9.5 Procedures for leak detecting in boilers and steam equipment are clarified and remedial actions are explained
9.6 Mechanism of economiser fires are analysed

10 Outline procedures for surveying boilers

10.1 Procedures for preparing a boiler for survey are documented and explained
10.2 Boiler inspection procedures that would cover all possible problem areas are planned
10.3 Purpose and procedures for carrying out hydrostatic/hydraulic pressure tests and non-destructive tests on auxiliary boilers are explained

11 Analyse procedures for protecting steam plant during off-load conditions

11.1 Procedures for decommissioning and laying up a boiler for short and long intervals are compared
11.2 Processes for cleaning boilers are evaluated
11.3 Procedures for re-commissioning steam plant are explained
11.4 Chief Engineer responsibilities for setting lifting pressure of safety valves are outlined

12 Differentiate between safety valves types

12.1 Common types of boiler safety valves are analysed and sketched, and how they are classified in terms of valve lift is explained
12.2 Materials used in safety valves are identified and operational problems that can occur are analysed
12.3 Defects that may be found when dismantling a safety valve for survey are analysed
12.4 Procedures for setting valve lift pressure are established and precautions necessary when testing valve on fired and non-fired boilers are examined
12.5 Chief Engineer responsibilities for setting lifting pressure of safety valves are outlined

13 Evaluate problems associated with feed and boiler water

13.1 Causes of scaling and corrosion of water side of a boiler and how these can be minimised are analysed
13.2 Acceptable operational range and effects of contamination on boiler chemical reserves are identified
13.3 Reliability of boiler water test results are analysed in relation to sampling procedure, testing equipment and shelving of test chemicals
13.4 Different tests carried out on boiler water are explained and implications of out-of-range results are interpreted
13.5 Use of different chemicals to treat and condition boiler water is assessed

14 Assess hazards of operating steam plant under adverse or faulty operating conditions

14.1 Potential hazards of boiler operation with contaminated feed water are assessed
14.2 Procedure for continuing boiler operation when contamination has exceeded acceptable limits is explained
14.3 Effects of operating boiler with insufficient water level are explained and actions to be taken under loss of water conditions are identified
14.4 Causes, consequences and relevant preventative measures associated with furnace explosions are analysed
14.5 Operating conditions that can lead to an economiser fire and actions that can be taken to prevent and control such fires are evaluated
14.6 Alternative methods for maintaining heating if a boiler or economiser has to be shut down are determined

15 Evaluate marine fuel systems

15.1 Procedure to be adopted when boiler is severely contaminated from different sources is outlined
15.2 Boiler fuel system, its components and maintenance procedure are detailed
15.3 Combustion process, its monitoring system and requirements for good combustion are analysed
15.4 Different types of burners are compared and contrasted and how atomisation is achieved is explained
15.5 Operation of a burner management system that incorporates pressure and level control is explained

16 Evaluate marine boiler auxiliaries

16.1 Construction, operating principles and maintenance requirements of a regenerative condenser are explained
16.2 Causes of loss of vacuum are identified and test procedure to identify leaks in a condenser is created
16.3 Construction and operation of air ejectors, drain coolers, vacuum pumps and extraction pumps are explained

No information

Replaces

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
AUG72	MARL030	Demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers	Unit of competency
AUG73	MARL024	Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers	Unit of competency

State Code	National Code	Title	Type
BFV8	MAR60120	Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1)	Qualification