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 operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems across a wide and often unpredictable variety of operational contexts. Monitoring and supervising the implementation of a broad plan or strategy for the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems is required. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires some responsibility for overseeing the operation of operation of shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems. This includes supervision and control of personnel, hazard minimisation, analysis of performance and operational situations and related decision making.

Worksite environment
The operation of shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems may be undertaken on an Australian or international commercial vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Safe watchkeeping procedures and the operation of shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems may be carried out:
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
while in dry dock
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Propulsion plant configurations may include:
low speed, medium and high speed diesel propulsion
stern tube bearing
CPP
direct drive shaft
diesel electric
steam plant
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 systems and centrifuges
air compressor and air starting systems
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.

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

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of 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
electric shock.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
vessel and company's planned pumping systems, operational procedures and instructions
pumping equipment and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
pumping systems running sheets, operations logs and other operational records, including computer database of running information, where relevant
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
vessel's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems operation
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems operation.

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 of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S 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:
Ensure a safe engineering watch during the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Operate shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems within specifications on a vessel of 3,0000 kW propulsion power or more
Identify malfunctioning main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems and, in consultation with a senior engineer, initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Identify typical operational problems and hazards when operating main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during operation of main and auxiliary machinery
Ensure adherence to national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory competency units that form part of the job role of an officer in charge of an engineering watch on a 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 of main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
Established engineering practice and procedures for the operation of shipboard main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems in warm through, manoeuvring, start up, normal running, emergency and shut down situations
Typical operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of marine main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems usually found on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
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
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
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 in 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
The nature and causes of typical malfunctions and/or poor performance main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems and the available methods for their detection and rectification
Basic principles of operation of turbine systems and auxiliary steam plant, 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
Types of operational and performance evaluation records that must be maintained on a vessel to meet the requirements of the company, survey requirements and regulatory authorities
Maritime communication techniques needed during the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret readings and indications of the performance of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret vessel and machinery specifications, machinery design drawings, operational manuals, specifications and electrical and control circuit diagrams
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Basic principles of diesel engine to a level suitable for a Watchkeeper Engineer, 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
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
Relevant safety, environmental and hazard control legislation, precautions and procedures relevant to the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Typical 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
Hazards and problems that can occur during the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Basic thermodynamics as it relates to the responsibilities of an officer on the 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
saturated dry and wet steam, dryness fraction, superheated steam, enthalpy, steam tables. Evaporation
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
Compression and expansion of gases, including Gas laws., Boyle's Law, Charles Law, characteristic gas equation, gas constant, isothermal, adiabatic and polytropic processes, and specific heat capacity
Basic principles of mechanics as they relate to machine operation, including:
statics. force as a vector. triangle and polygon of forces. the principle of moments, application to simply supported beams and cranked levers. moments of force. couples. centroids and centres of gravity limited to geometrical shapes. sultant and equilibrant of a system of concurrent coplanar forces
laws of friction for dry surfaces. coefficient of friction (horizontal plane only). lubrication of bearings and plain surfaces
linear displacement, time speed, velocity and acceleration. angular motion
problems with constant force or force with linear variation. torque, work, energy, power. conservation of energy. potential and kinematic energy. newton's laws of motion. momentum, rate of change of momentum. centrifugal force
simple lifting machines. graphs of load-effort and load-efficiency. linear law. velocity ratio, mechanical advantage and efficiency of the following machines: wheel and axle, differential pulley blocks, screw jack, warwick screw, hydraulic jack, worm driven chain blocks and single and double purchase crab winches. reduction gearing
direct stress and strain. hooke's law. modulus of elasticity. elastic limit. ultimate tensile strength. yield stress. limit of proportionality. safety factor. shear stress.
circumferential and longitudinal stress in thin cylindrical and spherical shells subject to internal pressure
Basic principles of naval architecture
transverse stability. elementary treatment of transverse stability. shift of centre of gravity due to addition, removal, or transfer of masses. qualitative treatment of free surface affect, water accumulation and their effect on stability.
structural strength. variation of fluid pressure with depth. loading due to head of liquid.
vessel construction. common terms used in the measurement of steel vessels. definitions of shipbuilding terms in general use. types of vessels. precautions necessary before entering empty oil fuel or ballast tanks.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to operate main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems typically found on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power; and/or
maintain a safe engineering watch during the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems in a range of operational situations on a commercial or training vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
maintaining a safe engineering watch involving the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
assessing operational performance of main and auxiliary machinery and associated system
assisting in the identification of operational problems with main and auxiliary machinery and associated system and taking remedial action
taking action, in consultation with a senior engineer, to minimise any damage and safety risk that could be caused by malfunctions in main and auxiliary machinery and associated system
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
applying safety precautions relevant to the operation of main and auxiliary machinery and associated system
completing operations documentation and records.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO 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 main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems, including system and equipment specifications and directions on systems and equipment capability and limitations
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action taken promptly to report and assist in the rectification of malfunctions in main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems, non-conformities, accidents, hazardous occurrences and safety incidents in accordance with statutory requirements, company procedures and the ISM Code.

Work is managed, controlled and 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.