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 operation and routine servicing of the engines and propulsion system on a small vessel and the application of solutions to a defined range of servicing problems.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any small commercial vessel up to 750 kW propulsion power.

Operation and servicing of engines and propulsion machinery may be conducted:
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
in dry dock
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Propulsion plant configurations may include:
petrol and LPG outboard motors
petrol inboard engines
medium and high speed diesel propulsion equipment
reduction gears, gearboxes, V-drive boxes, drive legs, etc.
thrust blocks and shaft bearings
starting and reversing arrangements.

Auxiliary systems may include:
hydraulic systems including electro-hydraulic steering gears
pumping systems, including:
lubricating oil
fuel oil
fresh water
seawater.

Servicing may include:
preventative and remedial checks and basic repairs of main propulsion systems and related equipment and components
lubrication of equipment in main propulsion systems
routine servicing in accordance with established procedures
routine visual and performance checks main propulsion systems
identification of faulty equipment or fittings and arranging for repair or replacement
carrying out basic repairs in accordance with established procedures.

Servicing tools and equipment may include:
hand tools including screwdrivers, spanners, wrenches
greasing and lubrication tools
lifting gear and equipment
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots and helmet
dust and fume masks.

Servicing 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
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 and cold pipes and valves (steam, fuel oil, lubricating oil, refrigeration).

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
OH&S and pollution control regulations and procedures
Australian USL Code
company and vessel operational and maintenance procedures
servicing schedules and records
vessel and propulsion equipment manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures.

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 operation and maintenance of auxiliary systems on small vessels up to 750 kW propulsion power
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation
relevant Australian standards.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate and service marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant machinery against technical specifications on a vessel of up to 750 kW propulsion power
Identify malfunctioning and faulty marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant machinery and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when carrying out routine servicing of marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant machinery
Identify typical operational and performance evaluation problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during the operation and servicing of marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant machinery.

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 and pollution control legislation and policies
Servicing procedures for marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery usually found on vessels of up to 750 kW propulsion power
The nature and causes of typical malfunctions and/or poor performance of engines and propulsion machinery and the appropriate action that should be taken
Hazards and problems that can occur during the operation and servicing of marine engines and propulsion machinery and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation and servicing of engines and propulsion machinery
Service records that must be maintained on a vessel
Maritime communication techniques needed during the operation and performance evaluation of engines and propulsion machinery
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret machinery performance readings and indications
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret operating and service manuals for propulsion equipment
Basic principles and operational characteristics of internal combustion engines, including:
two stroke and four stroke cycles
turbo charging arrangements in engines
diesel engine scavenging systems both in normal and emergency operation
atmospheric pollution caused by diesel engine combustion and ways in which it can be minimised
irregularities in the performance of engines and plant.

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 service marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on small vessels up to 750 kW propulsion power, and/or
operate and service marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on a small commercial or training vessel up to 750 kW propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
operating marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on a small vessel up to 750 kW propulsion power
carrying out servicing of marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on a small vessel
applying safety and pollution control precautions when operating and servicing marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on a small vessel.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of Australian USL Code
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant vessel manufacturer's guidelines relating to operating and maintaining marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery on a small vessel
environmental protection procedures when carrying out servicing operations.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify issues and problems identified with operating and servicing marine internal combustion engines and propulsion machinery.

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.