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 under broad operational requirements, with accountability for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes within the limits of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 2).

Work involves the application of marine engineering practice to the start up and shut down of the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems typically found on vessels of 750 kW propulsion power and more across a wide and often unpredictable variety of operational contexts. Contribution to the development and implementation of procedures for start up and shut down operations is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires significant judgement in planning, engineering and leadership functions related to the start up and shut down the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems within the limits of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 2). This includes management, training and control of personnel, analysis of operational requirements and decision-making.

Worksite environment
The main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems to be started up and shut down may include those found on Australian or international commercial vessels of 750 kW propulsion power and more.

The main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems may be started up and shut down:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchored or moored
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 turbine
gas turbine
reduction gears
thrust blocks, detuners and shaft bearings.

Auxiliary machinery and associated systems may include:
fresh and salt water cooling systems
lubricating oil cooling systems
fuel, oil, gas, coal systems and centrifuges
air compressor 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.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of electrical power
loss of steerage
flooding
fire or explosion
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
machinery and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
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 machinery
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 machinery maintenance and repair
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard machinery 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 machinery maintenance and repair on vessels of 750 kW propulsion power and more
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:
Monitor and control the start up and shut down of the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 2)
Identify problems and hazards with the start up and shut down of the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement within the scope of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 2)
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when starting up and shutting down the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Communicate effectively with others during start up and shut down 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 the job role of an Engineer (Class 2).

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes including AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the start up and shut down of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Established engineering practice for the start up and shut down of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems usually found on vessel of 750 kW power and more
Procedures for carrying out the start up and shut down of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems to ensure compliance with the company and survey requirements and established safety rules and regulations
The nature and causes of typical start up and shut down malfunctions of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems and the available methods for their detection and rectification
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the start up and shut down of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Principle features of vessel construction and principles of longitudinal stability
A basic understanding of the properties and application of materials and structures typically used in the construction of vessels of 750 kW power and more and their associated operational machinery
Types of operational 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 start up and shut down of main and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret material safety data sheets
Procedures for the testing of boiler water, machinery cooling water and lubricating oil
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret machinery performance readings and indications
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret vessel and machinery specifications, machinery design drawings, machine drawings, operational manuals, specifications and electrical and control circuit diagrams
Principles and operational characteristics of internal combustion engines, including:
two stroke and four stroke cycles
optimum combustion parameters and their control
diesel engine scavenging systems both in normal and emergency operation
atmospheric pollution caused by diesel engine combustion and ways in which it can be minimised
Basic principles of fuel systems, including:
typical injection pressures and viscosities for different grades of fuel
alterations to fuel pumps, camshafts and injectors for varying fuel types
differences between constant and variable injection timing of fuel
injection requirements for different speeds of diesel engine
common service faults, symptoms and causes of combustion problems and related solutions
fuel line pulsation damping devices and leakage protection
fuel valve cooling arrangements
uni-fuel and dual fuel systems
Basic principles of engine cooling and lubrication, including:
different methods of diesel engine cooling
need for treatment of engine cooling water
methods of treating engine cooling water
diesel engine lubrication requirements
methods of lubricating diesel engine components
theory and types of lubrication
relative characteristics, and applications of mineral and synthetic oils
contaminants that may affect lubricants, their effect on machinery performance, and action that can be taken to avoid and remedy contamination of lubricants
common lubrication problems and their solution
Principles of operation of hydraulic and electronic overspeed governors
Basic principles of marine control systems, including:
common sensors and their associated transmitters
temperature and pressure control systems used onboard vessel
methods of load-dependent cooling of diesel alternators on heavy fuel oils
principles of level control systems used onboard vessel
principles of electronic PID controllers
Principles and functions of machinery space monitoring and alarm systems including:
central cooling and load dependent cooling control systems
main engine control arrangements for fixed pitch and controllable pitch propeller systems requiring sequential control
alarm and monitoring systems involving data loggers, alarm loggers and trend analysis
Theory and preventative strategies for scavenge and uptake fires, and starting airline, crankcase and gearbox explosions, including:
plans for hazard reduction
procedures for extinguishment of scavenge fires and dealing with crankcase mist detector alarm
regaining of control after starting airline, crankcase and gearbox explosions
Methods of providing air for combustion
Principles of operation of key auxiliary systems, including:
feed systems
air-conditioning and refrigeration systems
Principles and procedures of machinery lubrication, including:
theory and types of lubrication
relative characteristics, and applications of mineral and synthetic oils
contaminants that may affect lubricants, their effect on machinery performance, and action that can be taken to avoid and remedy contamination of lubricants
Basic principles of mechanics as they relate to forces, pressures, stress and strains in shipboard dynamic machinery, including:
statics (mainly concurrent systems)
friction
dynamics
balancing
radial, circumferential and, longitudinal stress
shear stress
fluid mechanics
torsion, hollow and solid shafts
loads due to liquid head
Basic principles of transverse stability and principles of naval architecture and vessel construction relevant to detection, identification and repair of faults, including:
draught, trim and heel
propellers
structural strength and vibration of vessels
vessel measurement and classification
load line
basic principles of transverse stability
principles of free surface effects
drydocks
lifesaving equipment
hull repairs and maintenance
Basic principles of thermodynamics and heat and heat engines, including:
heat transfer
gases
properties and expansion of steam
steam cycles
boilers and evaporators
steam turbines
combustion
refrigeration and air conditioning
Basic principles and operational characteristics of steam turbines, gearing and associated equipment including:
lubrication
gear configurations
thrust blocks
air ejectors
shaft power
irregularities in the performance of machinery and plant
Basic principles and operational characteristics of main and auxiliary boilers and associated equipment including:
boiler operation in normal and emergency procedures
feed systems for marine boilers
various fittings mounted on boilers and their functions
boiler water tests and treatment
corrosion
superheaters
de-aerators
open and closed feed systems
uptake fires.

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 start up and shut down the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems typically found on a vessel of 750 kW propulsion power or more; and/or
start up and shut down the propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems in a range of operational situations on a commercial or training vessel of 750 kW propulsion power or more.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
starting up and shutting down the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems typically found on a vessel of typically 750 kW propulsion power or more
identifying problems and hazards with the start up and shut down of the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems and initiate appropriate action for rectification
exercising all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when starting up and shutting down the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems
communicating effectively with others during start up and shut down operations
identifying and implementing improvements to start up and shut down procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to start up and shut down operations
completing operational 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
issue resolution procedures
ISM Code safety management system procedures and work instructions on the start up and shut down of the main propulsion and auxiliary machinery and associated systems typically found on a vessel of 750 kW propulsion power or more, including machinery specifications and directions on equipment capability and limitations
machinery security procedures
following on-board housekeeping processes
waste, pollution and recycling management processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify machinery 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.