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 established procedures, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality and safety standards. Limited responsibility for others in achieving outcomes is required including the application of solutions to a variety of predictable servicing problems falling within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 3).
Note: All installation, maintenance and repair of AC (50 volts or above) DC (above 115 volts) must be carried out only by a suitably qualified engineer or licensed tradesman. Relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements must be fulfilled by any persons carrying out installation, maintenance and repair of electrical circuits and systems at such voltages on a vessel.

Worksite environment
ELV systems may include those typically found on a small commercial vessel.

Operation and basic servicing of onboard ELV and LV systems may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
while underway
while anchored or moored
during servicing operations
when vessel is slipped.

Extra low voltage and low voltage systems may include:
lead acid batteries
circuit breakers
wiring
switches and lights
starter motors and alternators.

Basic servicing may include:
routine checks of systems and equipment
identification and reporting of faults and arranging for repair or replacement.

Typical operation and basic servicing tasks in extra low voltage systems may include:
operating main switches
identifying switches
changing a fuse
checking and replacing a blown lamp
testing and checking a battery
reading basic ammeters
checking navigation lights
repairing loose wires
identifying and fixing bad connections
ensuring batteries are properly vented and there is no gas build up
identifying and fixing battery leaks
checking that wiring in correctly connected
checking belt tension on an alternator.

Servicing tools and equipment may include:
hand tools including screw drivers, pliers, cutters, soldering iron, etc.
meters and instrumentation
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
head gear and safety boots.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code dealing with small vessels
vessel and company servicing procedures for ELV systems
equipment manufacturer's instructions, specifications and procedures.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
Australian USL Code
Relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements and wiring rules
Regulations of relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Carry out basic operation of ELV and LV electrical systems on a small vessel
Carry out routine basic servicing and checks of ELV and LV electrical systems on a small vessel
Identify typical problems related to the operation and basic servicing of ELV and LV systems and take appropriate action in conjunction with other officers and crew
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during operational and servicing operations
Communicate effectively with others when carrying out operations and servicing procedures onboard a vessel.

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 3).

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Typical procedures for the operation and basic routine servicing of ELV and LV systems on a small vessel falling specifications and within the limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 3)
Note: All installation, maintenance and repair of AC (50 volts or above) DC (above 115 volts) must be carried out only by a suitably qualified engineer or licensed tradesman. Relevant State/Territory electrical licensing requirements must be fulfilled by any persons carrying out installation, maintenance and repair of electrical circuits and systems at such voltages on a vessel.
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation and routine servicing of ELV and LV systems on a small vessel
Principle features and operating characteristics of typical ELV and LV systems used on small vessels, including:
basic care and servicing of shipboard electrical systems generally
DC systems
batteries - types, care, servicing, hazards and safety precautions
procedures and precautions when connecting batteries
use of fuses and circuit breakers including the selection of correct capacity
types of starter motors and alternators typically used on small vessels
Procedures for isolating equipment in an ELV and LV electrical systems
Typical problems related to the during the operation and basic servicing of ELV and LV systems on small vessels and appropriate action and solutions
Maritime communication techniques needed during the operation and basic servicing of auxiliary systems on small vessels
Types of running logs and servicing records that must be maintained on a vessel to meet the requirements of the company and regulatory authorities.

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 operate and carry out routine servicing of ELV and LV systems on a small vessel, and/or
operate and carry out routine servicing of ELV and LV systems on an operational small commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
operating and carrying out basic routine servicing of ELV and LV systems
identifying and evaluating operational and servicing problems and determining appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to the operation and servicing of ELV and LV systems
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for the operation and routine servicing of ELV and LV systems.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
OHS regulations, pollution control and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant vessel manufacturer's guidelines relating to the operation and basic routine servicing of ELV and LV systems.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify issues and problems identified with the operation and routine servicing of ELV and LV systems in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, statutory requirements and company 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.