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

Work involves the application of English communications principles and established marine engineering practice to the use and interpretation of engineering publications, manuals and instructions across a wide and often unpredictable variety of operational engineering contexts onboard vessel. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the effective communication and understanding is involved.

Work requires some responsibility for maintaining own ability and that of others to effectively use English in written and oral form, when performing engineering duties. This includes applications in the course of supervision and control of personnel, hazard minimisation, interpreting engineering performance of plant and equipment, and responding to operational situations and related decision-making.

Worksite environment
Communications in English may be demonstrated during engineering duties onboard any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Effective communications in English may be required:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of sea, weather and loading
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring
during engineering maintenance operations
when in dry dock.

Communications in English may include:
reading and interpreting engineering publications, instruction manuals and manufacturer's specifications
reading and interpreting engineering drawings and charts, including electric, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic circuit diagrams and drawings
applying standard drawing symbols together with appropriate instrumentation and process control terms when describing the actions and unctions of marine equipment and plant
orally giving and receiving information, instructions and directions in the course of engineering duties
writing engineering reports and completing running sheets and other engineering documentation relevant to the performance of engineering duties
entering information into a computer using a keyboard and other relevant peripheral equipment
retrieving and printing information from a computer using a keyboard and other relevant peripheral equipment
sketching engineering drawings and engineering control loops as required in the course of typical engineering duties
using the various tools available to communicate between the Bridge, Engine Control Room and Main Engine Room
providing training, instruction and feedback on work performance to engine room crew.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
ship and company's planned operational and maintenance procedures and instructions
ship's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures, including relevant sections of the SOLAS Convention
anti-pollution and environmental protection regulations and procedures, including relevant sections of the MARPOL Convention
marine engineering publications and manuals
machinery and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
ship's survey as it relates to shipboard plant, equipment and machinery
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard machinery maintenance and repair
operational and maintenance logs, running sheets and records, including computer databases of running information and maintenance records, where relevant
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard machinery operations, 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 the operation, maintenance and repair of shipboard plant, equipment and machinery on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
MARPOL and SOLAS Conventions as they relate to engineering operations, maintenance and repair
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and anti-pollution 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:
Effectively and accurately communicate with others in English using written, verbal and non-verbal methods
Use established marine engineering vocabulary when communicating with others onboard vessel
Read and interpret engineering publications, specifications, instructions and other documents relevant to officer's duties
Use available tools to communicate between the Bridge, Engine Control Room and Main Engine Room
Use a computer to enter and retrieve engineering information when performing normal officer's duties
Use effective communications when providing training, instruction and feedback on work performance to engine room crew
Communicate effectively with multilingual crew when performing normal officer's duties
Identify typical communication problems and take appropriate action.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other competency units that form part of a job role of an engineer officer on a commercial vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes including AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the operation, maintenance and repair of plant, machinery and equipment on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
Relevant OH&S legislation, policies and procedures
Principles of effective communication
Standard nautical vocabulary as described in the 'IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases' publication
Established written, verbal and non-verbal marine engineering communications practices
Protocols and procedures for communicating with others on-board vessel
Established engineering practice for the operation, checking, maintenance and repair of marine plant, machinery, equipment and systems
Relevant OH&S and anti-pollution legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Marine engineering communication techniques, including barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them
The various tools typically available for communication between the Bridge, Engine Control Room and Main Engine Room
Relevant industrial award requirements as they relate to shipboard engineering personnel responsibilities, obligations and entitlements
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret engineering specifications and drawings
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret engineering information available through gauges, computer screens and various performance indicators
Techniques for communicating effectively with a multilingual crew
Typical communication problems and appropriate action and solutions.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to:
participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively during engineering duties in a range of typical operational situations that may occur onboard a vessel of 3,000 kW propulsion or more, and/or
communicate during engineering duties on an operational commercial or training vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
obtaining, interpreting and applying information when performing engineering duties
communicating with others, including passengers, on board vessel during normal engineering duties and emergency situations
identifying and evaluating communication problems and determining appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to communication methods
assessing the effectiveness of communications.

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
ISM Code safety management system procedures, quality procedures and work instructions on the operation of shipboard plant, machinery and equipment
job procedures and work instructions
relevant vessel manufacturer's instructions and specifications relating to operation, checking, maintenance and repair of shipboard plant, machinery and equipment and directions on equipment capability and limitations
environmental protection 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.