Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant maritime regulations.

Work is performed within a defined range of operations and routine procedures, with responsibility for own outputs and some responsibility for others in achieving the specified quality and quantity of outcomes. It involves the routine operation of the propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment on a vessel up to 80 metres in length on a coastal voyage. Some discretion and judgement is required in anticipating and allowing for possible operational problems, safety hazards and contingencies.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any commercial vessel up to 80m in length engaged in coastal voyages.

Operation of the propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment may be carried out:
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.

Propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment that may be operated or monitored include:
propulsion unit and controls
power units and controls
unit and equipment performance indicators
indicators of speed and fuel consumption
steering gear
hydraulic systems and controls
pumps and pumping systems
ancillary systems and controls.

Propulsion units may include:
CPP
direct drive shaft
diesel
electric diesel
reduction gear.

Ancillary power units and equipment may include:
cooling water
fuel
air starting
lubrication
ballast water
bilge
waste management and pollution control systems as per the MARPOL Convention.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of electrical power
loss of steerage
flooding
fire or explosion.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
relevant sections of Australian USL Code related to the operation of propulsion plants and ancillary equipment on a vessel up to 80m in length on a coastal voyage
plant and equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of Australian USL Code related to the operation of propulsion units and ancillary equipment on a vessel up to 80m in length on a coastal voyage
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
MARPOL Convention on waste management and control systems.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment
Monitor and evaluate the performance of vessel's propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment
Exercise all required safety and hazard control procedures when operating the propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment of the vessel
Monitor and check the operation of safety and fire detection/suppression equipment
Identify typical problems when controlling shipboard propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others when controlling propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of the master of a vessel up to 80 metres on a coastal voyage.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Methods for controlling and managing the operation of shipboard propulsion units, ancillary power units and equipment
Characteristics of propulsion units, ancillary power units and equipment for vessels up to 80 metres in length, including operational limits, fuel consumption-speed relationships, vessel stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and loading
Relationship between a vessel's speed and fuel consumption including the meaning of economical RPM and its application
Procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of the performance of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment
Dangers associated with the operation of shipboard ancillary power units and related hazard prevention strategies
Principles and operational and performance requirements of fire detection/suppression systems typically found on vessels up to 80 metres in length
Sequence of required action when power unit becomes overloaded
Principles of operation and control of various shipboard emergency systems
Requirements for waste management and control systems under the MARPOL Convention
Maritime communication techniques
Problems with the remote control of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment on vessels of up to 80 metres in length and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions.

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 monitor the performance of the propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment of a typical vessel up to 80 metres in length over a range of representative operational situations, and/or
operate a suitable integrated vessel simulator over an appropriate range of simulated propulsion management situations, and/or
manage the propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment on a vessel up to 80 metres in length on an coastal voyage.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out propulsion and engineering control operations
identifying and evaluating problems with propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment and determining an appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to operation of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment
assessing operational capability and performance of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
Relevant maritime regulations
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of operation of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment, including instructions on equipment performance, capability and limitations
following on-board housekeeping processes
waste, pollution and recycling management processes and systems.

Action taken promptly to report accidents and incidents.

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.