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 broad operational requirements, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards and limited responsibility for others in achieving the specified quality and quantity of outcomes. It involves the organisation of maintenance operations on a vessel and the application of solutions to a defined range of maintenance problems.

Worksite environment
The hull, structures, machinery and equipment to be maintained may include that typically found on any small commercial vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power.

Maintenance operations may include:
visual inspection of equipment and systems for faults
routine checks of equipment and systems in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
identification of faults
carrying out basic fault-finding and trouble-shooting within limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1)
carrying out basic repairs within limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1)
reporting identified faults
assisting contractors.

Maintenance may be carried out on:
hull and fittings
propulsion systems and controls
electrical systems and controls
batteries, transformers, switchboard, lighting systems
steering gear, stabilizers, bow thrusters, rudders
deck machinery
pumps and pumping systems
auxiliary systems and controls.

Organisation of maintenance and repair operations 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
during slipping

Coordination of maintenance and repair operations may include:
preparation of maintenance and repair schemes
checks on completion of a voyage
checks in anticipation of a change in sea and weather conditions
organisation of statutory surveys
investigating and troubleshooting identified faults
completion of basic repair operations within limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1)
assistance to maintenance contractors carrying out repair and replacement activities
checks during an emergency which may have caused damage or changes to the seaworthiness of the vessel
completion of running logs and maintenance reports.

Propulsion plant configurations may include:
low speed, medium and high speed diesel propulsion
stern tube bearing
CPP
direct drive shaft
diesel electric
steam
gas turbine
reduction gears
thrust blocks, detuners and shaft bearings.

Damage to the hull of a vessel may occur through:
collision with another vessel
running aground
excessive stress on a vessel's hull structure
effects of heavy seas and weather conditions
deterioration or corrosion of vessel's hull and structure
explosion onboard the vessel
fire onboard the vessel.

Damage control measures in a flooding emergency may include:
use of softwood wedges and plugs to reduce water ingress
erection and application of vertical shoring
construction and fitting of a leak-stopping mat
temporary repair of a ruptured pressurised pipe
operation of a portable salvage pump.

Emergencies may include:
loss of propulsion
loss of electrical power
loss of steerage
flooding
fire or explosion
loss of refrigeration
leaks of fuel oil, lubrication oil, steam and gas
overheating and overspeed of machinery, governors, emergency trips.

Maintenance and repair hazards may include:
moving heavy loads in an unsafe environment
unsecured machinery, components or repair equipment
slippery deck
welding equipment
tools and implements
moving and rotating machinery
flammable liquids, vapours and fuel
faulty machinery 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
faulty earthing on systems and equipment
working at heights.

Maintenance records may include:
a maintenance log
running sheets
a computer database of running information and maintenance information.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
vessel's planned maintenance system, repair procedures and instructions
machinery and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
maintenance records
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to vessel's hull and machinery
vessel's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures
relevant material safety data sheets
machinery and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
relevant sections of Australian USL Code.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of the Australian USL Code related to maintenance and repair operations and surveys on small vessels up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Organise survey, maintenance and repair operations on a vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
Monitor the implementation of a safety management strategy for maintenance and repair operations on a vessel of up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
Identify typical machinery maintenance and repair problems and hazards and initiate appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during the organisation of maintenance and repair operations.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency may be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1).

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant sections of the Australian USL Code dealing with small vessel maintenance
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation and codes of practice, policies and procedures with the company requirements and established safety rules and regulations
Established practice for organising the maintenance and repair of marine machinery, hull, structures and equipment
Functions and responsibilities of personnel for survey, maintenance and repair operations onboard a small vessel
Operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of hull, machinery and equipment usually found on a small vessel
Procedures for carrying out machinery testing, trouble-shooting and repair as part of routine maintenance procedures within limits of responsibility of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1) to ensure compliance with the company and survey requirements and established safety rules and regulations
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret vessel and machinery specifications, operational manuals, specifications and a basic understanding of simple electrical and control circuit diagrams
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret machinery performance readings and indications
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets
Principle features of vessel construction including a basic understanding of the properties, characteristics and application of materials and structures typically used in the construction of a small vessel and its associated operational machinery
The nature and causes of typical machinery/equipment malfunctions and the available methods for their detection and repair, including machinery malfunction fault-finding techniques
Typical maintenance and repair hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial strategies
Damage control measures that may be required to maintain the integrity of the hull in a range of typical emergency situations that could occur on a vessel and the specific action to be taken in the event of flooding of a vessel
Construction, layout and subdivision requirements of a typical vessel
Principles and procedures to ensure the watertight integrity of a vessel's hull in both normal and emergency situations
Safety and environmental management strategies applicable to maintenance and repair operations on a small vessel
Basic principles of operation of:
air-conditioning and refrigeration systems
machinery lubrication
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.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to organise the maintenance and repair of the hull, structures, machinery and equipment typically found on a vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power; and/or
organise surveys, maintenance and repair operations in a range of operational situations on a commercial or training vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
organising survey, maintenance and repair operations
checking operational capability of vessel's hull, fittings, machinery and equipment
identifying vessel's machinery malfunctions and faulty plant and equipment and initiating appropriate action to minimise any damage and pollution that could be caused
identifying and implementing improvements to mechanical and electrical machinery and equipment checking, maintenance and repair procedures
contributing to the establishment of safety management strategies relevant to maintenance and repair operations
completing machinery maintenance and repair documentation and records.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of USL Code
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
managing waste, pollution and recycling management processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify faults or damage to the hull or machinery.

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.