Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:03 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:03 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.
Operate and maintain a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment
Operate and maintain a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment
Unit of competency
National Code
MARC3003A
MARC3003A
State Code
WG388
WG388
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/02/2014
Field of Education
031701 - Maritime Engineering
Original Release Date
07/02/2014
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate and perform basic maintenance on a reciprocating steam engine up to 750 kW nominal propulsion power according to relevant workplace practices and codes of practice. It includes operating controls, monitoring performance and maintaining operational condition of reciprocating steam engines and steam auxiliary equipment during use.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare vessel for sea
- 1.1 Spares and stores on board are checked to ensure those required for proposed voyage are available
- 1.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected for use
- 1.3 Hazardous materials are stowed and managed according to regulatory and organisational requirements
- 1.4 Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and potential hazards in engine room are identified and corrective action is taken according to organisational practices
- 1.5 Pre-start checks are conducted on machinery and equipment according to organisational procedures
- 1.6 Means of communication between bridge and engine room are tested
- 1.7 Engines are started according to vessel procedures and organisation safety management systems (SMS)
2 Operate and monitor steam engine and steam auxiliary machinery
- 2.1 Marine steam plant components are identified and operated according to organisational operating procedures
- 2.2 Steam engine handling techniques are interpreted and applied to eliminate or minimise risk of injury to personnel or damage to equipment
- 2.3 Steam plant controls are identified and operated safely according to organisational procedures and technical specifications
- 2.4 Steam engine auxiliary equipment is monitored and operated to maintain optimum running conditions
- 2.5 Operational faults are recognised, assessed and rectified according to organisational procedures
- 2.6 Hazards and potential hazards are recognised and interpreted, and appropriate initiatives and action is taken to minimise risk to personnel and equipment according to workplace procedures and applicable regulatory requirements
- 2.7 Operating log is maintained clearly and accurately according to statutory requirements
3 Shut down steam engine
- 3.1 Engine is shut down according to vessel procedures and organisation SMS
- 3.2 Steam auxiliary systems are shut down according to vessel procedures and organisation SMS
- 3.3 Documentation is maintained according to workplace and organisational requirements
4 Carry out maintenance of steam plant
- 4.1 Maintenance requirements are identified, repairs are carried out and reported according to workplace procedures
- 4.2 Engine and auxiliary equipment is regularly inspected and maintained for maintenance according to statutory requirements and workplace procedures
- 4.3 Steam plant maintenance schedule is developed and implemented according to organisational planned maintenance system
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.
Personal protective equipment may include:
Chemical resistant gloves and apron
Ear protection (muffs or plugs)
Eye protection
Fire-resistant clothing
Hard hat head protection
Respiratory devices
Thermally insulated gloves
Working protective gloves
Hazards and potential hazards may include:
Chemical hazards
Excessive noise
Hot exposed pipes
Lack of machinery guards
Leakage of:
fuel
gas
Manual handling hazards
Obstructions and defects in work area
Poor illumination of work area
Rubbish and combustibles in work area
Thermal hazards
Pre-start checks may include:
Checks of cooling water supply and system
Essential fittings
Firefighting equipment
Fuel supply/heat source system
Identifying and managing hazards and maintenance problems
Operation and position of steam engine valves
Selecting PPE
Means of communication may include:
Bell systems
Telegraphs
Voice pipe
Marine steam plant components may include:
Boiler controls and safety devices
Condensers
Cylinder cocks
Economisers
Feed water controls
Lubricators
Operational controls
Short stroke pump
Steam plant instrumentation (gauges)
Vacuum pumps
Valve gear
Steam engine auxiliary equipment may include:
Blower
Feed water pump
Generator
Injectors
Valves
Water treatment systems
Whistle
Operating log may include:
Chemical treatment
Maintenance/repair requirements
Status and operation
Test results
Time in use
Documentation may include:
Emergency procedures instructions
Maintenance notices, records and requests
Operational:
instructions, policies and procedures
records and user log books
Maintenance requirements may include:
Bilge pumps
Cooling water valves
Gauge glasses
Safety valves
Personal protective equipment may include:
Chemical resistant gloves and apron
Ear protection (muffs or plugs)
Eye protection
Fire-resistant clothing
Hard hat head protection
Respiratory devices
Thermally insulated gloves
Working protective gloves
Hazards and potential hazards may include:
Chemical hazards
Excessive noise
Hot exposed pipes
Lack of machinery guards
Leakage of:
fuel
gas
Manual handling hazards
Obstructions and defects in work area
Poor illumination of work area
Rubbish and combustibles in work area
Thermal hazards
Pre-start checks may include:
Checks of cooling water supply and system
Essential fittings
Firefighting equipment
Fuel supply/heat source system
Identifying and managing hazards and maintenance problems
Operation and position of steam engine valves
Selecting PPE
Means of communication may include:
Bell systems
Telegraphs
Voice pipe
Marine steam plant components may include:
Boiler controls and safety devices
Condensers
Cylinder cocks
Economisers
Feed water controls
Lubricators
Operational controls
Short stroke pump
Steam plant instrumentation (gauges)
Vacuum pumps
Valve gear
Steam engine auxiliary equipment may include:
Blower
Feed water pump
Generator
Injectors
Valves
Water treatment systems
Whistle
Operating log may include:
Chemical treatment
Maintenance/repair requirements
Status and operation
Test results
Time in use
Documentation may include:
Emergency procedures instructions
Maintenance notices, records and requests
Operational:
instructions, policies and procedures
records and user log books
Maintenance requirements may include:
Bilge pumps
Cooling water valves
Gauge glasses
Safety valves
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
attention to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping
being aware of own ability and limits to rectify irregularities and faults
providing required amount of detail in reports
ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where operating and maintaining a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate operating and maintaining a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
attention to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping
being aware of own ability and limits to rectify irregularities and faults
providing required amount of detail in reports
ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where operating and maintaining a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate operating and maintaining a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUG85 | MARC024 | Operate and maintain a steam engine up to 750 kW and steam auxiliary equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J553 | MAR30313 | Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Steam) | Qualification |