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 to 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 an established maintenance plan and in consultation with a senior engineer, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the application of marine engineering practice to the repair of plant and control equipment typically found on vessels of unlimited propulsion power across a wide and often unpredictable variety of equipment malfunctions or faults. Following of an established plan or strategy for the maintenance and repair of shipboard plant and control equipment is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires some judgement in engineering functions related to plant and equipment maintenance and repair operations and procedures. This includes working with a senior engineer in fault finding and in the dismantling, maintenance and repair of shipboard plant and equipment.

Worksite environment
Shipboard plant and control equipment may include that typically found on any Australian or international commercial vessels of unlimited propulsion power.

Performance monitoring and repair of shipboard plant and control equipment 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
in dry dock
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Types of plant and equipment may include:
steam, diesel, diesel electric and gas turbine propulsion systems and controls
electrical systems and controls, including primemovers
batteries, transformers, switchboard, distributions systems, lighting systems
steering gear, stabilizers, bow thrusters, rudders
fluid power systems and controls
deck machinery, including cranes and winches
pumps and pumping systems
emergency supply systems including emergency generators and battery banks
auxiliary systems and controls, including:
fresh and salt water cooling systems
lubricating oil cooling systems
fuel, oil, gas, coal systems and centrifuges
compressed air and air starting systems
lubrication
bilge and ballast system, oily water separator
refrigeration and air-conditioning plant and equipment
onboard air compressors and compressed air and control air systems
waste management and pollution control systems as per the MARPOL Convention
evaporators
inert gas generator
cargo pumps, tank washing machines and associated systems
purifiers and clarifiers
heaters
sewage plant
fixed fire fighting installations and fire control systems
auxiliary boilers and waste heat generators
life saving appliances
maintenance to hull and vessel side valves.

Testing and repair equipment may include:
electronic instrumentation, meters and gauges
computer displays of performance parameters
hand tools, such as spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers, hacksaws, soldering irons, pliers, cutters, wire-strippers, etc.
greasing and lubrication tools
electric power tools, such as grinders, lathes, drills, etc.
pneumatic power tools, such as grinders, sanders, drills, etc.
welding equipment
block and tackle
portable and manual lifting equipment and hydraulic jacks
material safety data sheets
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots
dust and fume masks.

Maintenance and repair hazards may include:
moving heavy loads in an unsafe work environment
unsecure plant and equipment, components or repair equipment
sharp tools and implements
power tools
moving and rotating plant and equipment
faulty equipment, handling equipment and lifting gear
using equipment beyond safe working limits
poor housekeeping procedures
non-compliance with safe working procedures
electrical wiring and systems
exposed live circuits
faulty earth connections
hot pipes and valves (steam, fuel oil, lubricating oil)
cold pipes and valves (refrigeration and liquefied gas cargoes)
working at heights
exposed live circuits
faulty earth connections.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of electrical power
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
overheating and overspeed of machinery, governors, emergency trips.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
vessel and company's planned maintenance system, repair procedures and instructions
plant and equipment and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
plant and equipment maintenance log, running sheets and records, including computer database of running information and maintenance records, where relevant
vessel's survey as it relates to shipboard plant and equipment
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard plant and equipment maintenance and repair.
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard plant and equipment 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 shipboard plant and equipment maintenance and repair 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:
Fault-find, dismantle, maintain and repair shipboard plant and equipment against specifications on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
Identify malfunctioning and faulty plant and equipment and components and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when carrying out fault-finding, dismantling, maintenance and repair operations on shipboard plant and equipment
Identify typical plant and equipment maintenance and repair problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during maintenance and repair operations
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 a 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 management of shipboard plant and equipment maintenance and repair operations on vessels of unlimited propulsion power
Relevant OH&S legislation, policies and procedures
Established engineering practice for the fault-finding, dismantling, maintenance and repair of marine electrical and equipment
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of shipboard plant and equipment usually found on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
Planned maintenance systems and procedures for the condition monitoring of plant and equipment, including responsibilities and requirements covered by various forms of vessel survey
The nature and causes of typical shipboard plant and equipment malfunctions and the available methods for their detection and repair, including established fault-finding techniques
Procedures for carrying out shipboard plant and equipment fault-finding and repair as part of routine maintenance procedures to ensure compliance with the company and survey requirements and established safety rules and regulations
Procedures for the completion of temporary and permanent repair and/or replacement procedures for plant and equipment on board vessels at sea, alongside and in dry dock
A basic understanding of the plant and equipment typically found onboard a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
Concepts of Unattended Machinery Spaces (UMSs) and automated monitoring and control of machinery
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret plant and equipment performance readings and instrumentation
Basic principles of mechanics as they relate to forces, pressures, stress and strains in shipboard dynamic machinery
Basic principles of operation and maintenance of:
fluid power control systems
air-conditioning and refrigeration systems
machinery lubrication systems
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret vessel and plant and equipment specifications, equipment drawings, operational manuals, and electrical and control circuit diagrams
Types of maintenance and repair 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 maintenance and repair operations
Maintenance and repair hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions during maintenance and repair of shipboard plant and equipment
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to shipboard plant and equipment inspection and maintenance operations
Safe procedures for handling heavy plant and equipment and component parts during maintenance and repair of shipboard plant and equipment
Safe procedures for the use of hand and power tools and maintenance equipment
Basic principles of electrotechnology, marine electrical practice and marine automation and control relevant to detection, fault-finding and repair of faults in electrical and electronic equipment, including:
basic electrical circuit theory
basic theory of electromagnetism and electrostatics
electrolytic action and cells
AC and DC theory and plant and equipment
basic cabling, distribution and lighting systems
basic control and switch gear
instruments, calibration and testing

Basic principles of diesel engine operation to a level suitable for an officer of an engineering watch, 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, appropriate actions to rectify 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
Basic thermodynamics as it relates to the responsibilities of an officer in charge of an 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
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.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies, simulated fault situations and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to fault-find, dismantle, maintain and repair plant and equipment typically found on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power; and/or
fault-find, dismantle, maintain and repair shipboard plant and equipment on a commercial or training vessel of unlimited propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
assessing operational performance of shipboard plant and equipment
identifying shipboard plant and equipment malfunctions and faulty plant and equipment of a vessel of unlimited propulsion power
taking action to minimise any damage and safety risk that could be caused by plant and equipment malfunctions
fault-finding, dismantling, maintaining and repairing shipboard plant and equipment
identifying plant and equipment maintenance and repair problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to plant and equipment maintenance and repair operations
completing maintenance and repair documentation and records.

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 fault-finding, dismantling, maintenance and repair of shipboard plant and equipment, including plant and equipment specifications and directions on equipment maintenance
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify plant and equipment malfunctions, 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.