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 in consultation with a senior engineer, within broad operational requirements, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the application of marine engineering practice to the keeping of a safe engineering watch on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power across a wide and often unpredictable variety of operational contexts. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the watchkeeping outcomes is involved.

Work requires some judgement and teamwork in carrying out engineering watchkeeping duties and procedures for vessels of unlimited propulsion power. This includes supervision and control of personnel, hazard minimisation, analysis of performance and operational situations and related decision making and record keeping.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Watchkeeping arrangements and procedures may be implemented:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and loading
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring
while in port
while moored or at anchor.

Watchkeeping principles (as laid out in the AMSA Marine Orders) include:
a safe engineering watch must be maintained at all times
all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid pollution of the marine environment
appropriate assistance must be available to be summoned to the engine room if required by a change in the vessel's operational situation.

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

Main and auxiliary 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
auxiliary 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.

Fatigue management strategies may include:
recognition of symptoms of fatigue
arranging to take a break when symptoms of fatigue are identified
maintenance of personal fitness and health and appropriate dietary habits
avoidance of excessive consumption of alcohol prior to watchkeeping duties.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion or 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.

Potential hazards during operation of main and auxiliary 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 and in confined spaces
moving heavy loads using unsafe lifting procedures
unsecured machinery, components or equipment
slippery deck
poor housekeeping procedures
power tools, and sharp tools or implements
dangerous atmosphere
overspeed of electrical machinery, emergency trips
noxious and dangerous cargoes
machinery overload.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
vessel and company's watchkeeping procedures and instructions
plant and equipment manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
plant and equipment running sheets, operations logs and other operational records, including computer database of running information, where relevant
vessel's survey as it relates to shipboard plant and equipment
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with the keeping of an engineering watch
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning the keeping of an engineering watch.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention related to the keeping of an engineering watch
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders related to the keeping of an engineering watch
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Implement engineering watch keeping arrangements and procedures
Fulfil engineering watchkeeping responsibilities
Take appropriate action in the event of an engine room malfunction arising during a watch
Communicate effectively with others in the course of watchkeeping duties.

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 officer in charge of an engineering watch on a commercial vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of sections of the IMO STCW 95 Code and AMSA Marine Orders dealing with the keeping of an engineering watch
Relevant OH&S pollution control legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
The duties and responsibilities of a Watchkeeper Engineer on both manned and UMS vessels with respect to safety of personnel and vessel, when taking over, keeping and handling over a watch
The principles and procedures for the operation and maintenance of a vessel's main and auxiliary systems, including start up, normal running, shut down, and emergency situations
The layout of a typical engine room and the functions of all systems and components found therein: including their purposes and relationships with other systems, including:
the main engine systems
the systems of the boiler and waste heat unit
the diesel alternator systems
the turbo-alternator systems
the systems and controls of the Engine Control Room
the ancillary systems of the engine room
common operating parameters of fluids within the engine room, and state correct responses to abnormal values
the location, function, and operation of all safety and protection devices, including all alarms, shutdowns and engine room escape routes, including an awareness of the risks associated with defective or bypassed machinery protective devices
the location, function, and operation of main and auxiliary machinery monitoring devices
the types of steering gears commonly employed, their components, the regulations governing their use, and testing procedures
an understanding of single failure criterion and how steering gear systems fulfil this criterion
typical transmission systems from the main propulsion engine to the propeller, including typical clutches found along a typical drive line, and explain how emergency operation may be achieved
Malfunctions and defects in the main and auxiliary systems and components systems, their symptoms and possible consequences, and methods of correcting and/or compensating for them
Safe working practices for machinery and enclosed spaces, including:
safe practices for isolating main and auxiliary machinery prior to work commencing
hazard minimisation and control during work at sea, in heavy weather, at anchorage in port, or during dry dock
The working principles of fire prevention, detection, and fighting, including:
actions that should be carried out if a fire is detected and
actions that should be carried out if it is decided to use a fixed installation to combat a major fire, especially if CO2 is to be used
Watchkeeping records that must be maintained on a vessel to meet the requirements of the company and regulatory authorities
Basic supervisory, teamwork, and communication skills as they relate to the responsibilities of an officer on the engineering watch, including:
communication skills required in simulated and real engine room operations.
the various tools available to communicate between the Bridge, Engine Control Room, and Main Engine Room
teamwork in simulated and real engine room operations, including start up, normal running, shut down, and emergency situations
basic supervisory skills required when acting as team leader in simulated and real engine room operations, including start up, normal running, shut down, and emergency situations
Elementary principles of internal combustion engine cycles, including:
the operating principles of two stroke and four stroke internal combustion engines
the Otto, Diesel and Dual combustion cycles
Methods for calculating mean effective pressure using an indicator diagram
the indicated power formula
specific fuel consumption and thermal efficiency
the ideal cycle and air standard efficiency
the effects of insufficient, minimum and excess air on combustion
The operating cycle of refrigeration and related problems on refrigeration plant performance, including:
the principles of refrigeration
the refrigeration cycle as a pressure/enthalpy diagram
the properties of refrigerants used in refrigeration plants
refrigeration effect and plant capacity
ways of calculating the refrigeration effect and condition of vapour after expansion, using refrigeration tables
The psychrometric chart and the cycle of operation and working principles of air conditioning plants, including the meaning of psychrometric terms such as relative humidity dry and wet bulb temperatures
Procedures for the operation of the main and auxiliary systems and components in warm through, start up, manoeuvring, normal running, emergency, and shut down situations
The types, properties, tests, applications and treatment of fuels, lubricants, and solvents/chemicals used on board vessel, including a basic understanding of the working principles, construction, maintenance and safe operation of centrifuges, filters, and other treatment devices
Basic principles of operation of boilers and steam systems, including:
understanding of how combustion occurs in a boiler, and related safety procedures, including the importance of purging a boiler and other safety precautions taken when firing a boiler
principles of boiler operation in normal and emergency situations
typical feed systems for marine boilers, including all components normally found in such systems
A basic understanding of the various fittings mounted on boilers, including:
the common operating routines of local water level indicators, including methods of blowing a gauge glass, clearing blockages, and overhaul of these devices
the effects of blockages in the water, steam and drain cocks of water level indicators
how a boiler is flashed up from cold and put on line
the purpose of all alarms and shut downs incorporated in a marine boiler
typical configurations of, and describe the operating principles applying to, the various steam distribution systems found aboard vessel
the checks which should be made regularly during routine turbine operation
Basic principles of operation of turbine systems, including:
the methods of turbine control, including safety devices
the symptoms, causes, effects, and actions to be taken of defects of auxiliary steam turbines
the construction and operation of auxiliary steam turbines
procedures for emergency operation of a steam turbine
methods of lubricating the principle components of a marine steam turbine and its associated gearing, and evaluate common faults including common lubrication faults, symptoms, causes, and actions to be taken with such faults
The causes, symptoms, means of preventing, detecting, and extinguishing fires and the correct procedures to be taken upon their detection, including:
scavenge fires.
crankcase explosions in both diesel and dual fuel engines.
starting airline explosions.
the risks of continued service with an isolated waste heat unit
Operating precautions for main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems to ensure operational performance is in compliance with the bridge orders, technical specifications, survey requirements and established safety and anti-pollution rules and regulations. Main and auxiliary machinery monitoring and protection devices.
Basic principles of diesel engine operations to a level suitable for an engineer in charge of an engineering watch, including:
typical starting air and manoeuvring systems of diesel engines, including all components normally found therein:
starting methods of marine diesel engines and how propulsion manoeuvring is achieved
requirements for diesel engines for propulsion, power generation, and emergency use
methods of reversing direct reversing engines with their interlocks and other safety arrangements.
common faults and appropriate action to be taken with starting/manoeuvring systems
typical diesel engine lubrication systems, including:
all components normally found therein
normal operational pressures and temperatures which should be expected
methods of lubricating the principle components of a marine diesel engine, with its associated gearing and/or chain drives, including common lubrication faults, symptoms, causes, and actions to be taken with such faults
the operating principles and adjustments of diesel engine fuel injection equipment, including common service faults, symptoms, and causes of diesel fuel injection problems, explaining appropriate actions to be taken
means of pressure charging diesel engines including common service faults and give appropriate actions to these faults and emergency operation and isolation procedures
different methods of cooling marine diesel engines, including common requirements of cooling.
common faults and appropriate action to be taken with cooling of diesel engines
the causes of crankcase and airline explosions, scavenge and uptake fires
Basic thermodynamics as it relates to the responsibilities of an officer in charge of an engineering watch, including:
basic thermodynamic properties of common working fluids
methods of heat transfer and related problems
principles of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation and their application to marine systems
elementary principles of steam plants
basic steam plant cycles and explain the function of each component
the combustion process and the calorific value of fuels
AIR/FUEL ratio and the significance of excess air on combustion
the operating cycle of single stage reciprocating air conditioners including methods for calculating the mass of air delivered
clearance volume, its effect on volumetric efficiency and methods of calculating the volumetric efficiency
advantages of multistaging and intercooling
meaning of gauge and absolute pressure
temperature and temperature scales
SYSTEM INTERNATIONAL (SI) units and common thermodynamic terms and principles.

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 maintain the seaworthiness of a vessel in a range of operational situations, and/or
assist in maintaining the seaworthiness of a vessel in a range of operational situations either:
using a simulator, meeting the requirements of Section A I/12 of the IMO STCW 95 Code, over an appropriate range of simulated loading and operational situations
in appropriate practical situations on an operational commercial or training vessel possible operation of a vessel during seatime training.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
maintaining a safe engineering watch
identifying and evaluating watchkeeping problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to engine room and bridge management procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to engineering watchkeeping operations
dealing with engine room malfunctions and emergencies arising during an engineering watch.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and AMSA Marine Orders
OHS and pollution control regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
ISM Code safety management system procedures, quality procedures and work instructions on the keeping of an engineering watch
environmental protection procedures.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify engine room malfunctions and emergencies in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, statutory requirements and company procedures.

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.