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 ensuring 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 operation of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment typically found on a vessels of 750 kW propulsion power or more across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Contribution to the development and implementation of a broad plan or strategy for the operation of shipboard electrical and electronic control equipment is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires judgement in planning, engineering and leadership functions related to the operation of electrical and electronic control equipment within the limits of responsibility of an Engineer (Class 2). This includes management, hazard minimisation, analysis of situations and decision making.

Worksite environment
Shipboard electrical machinery and electrical and electronic control equipment may include that typically found on any Australian or international commercial vessel between 750 and 3,000 kW propulsion power (when performing as Chief Engineer), and unlimited propulsion power (when performing as a Second Engineer).

Operation of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any conditions of weather
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchored or moored
in dry dock
when bunkering
during cargo operations.

Types of electrical machinery and electronic control equipment may include but are not limited to:
programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
signal transmission systems used for monitoring and control
temperature and pressure sensors
electronic PID controllers
analog to digital converters
electrical and electronic equipment space monitoring alarm and control systems
a.c. generators
a.c. and d.c. motors, including three phase induction and three phase synchronous motors
three phase alternators
three phase transformers
electronic instrumentation and power supply circuits
main switchboard and shipboard power distribution systems including:
distribution circuits and wiring
protection devices
circuit breakers
emergency supply systems including emergency generators, emergency switchboard and battery banks
electronic governors
deck electrical machinery.

Operational hazards may include:
moving and rotating electrical and electronic equipment
using equipment beyond safe working limits
poor housekeeping procedures
non-compliance with safe working procedures
hot pipes and valves (steam, fuel oil, lubricating oil)
cold pipes and valves (refrigeration and liquefied gas cargoes)
working at heights
dangerous atmosphere
overspeed of electrical machinery, emergency trips
noxious and dangerous cargoes
electric shock.

Emergencies may include:
loss of electrical power
short circuits and open-circuits in distribution systems
loss of electronic/electrical control of systems
flooding of engine room
fire or explosion in engine room
failure of emergency alarm and control systems
loss of refrigeration
overloading of electrical systems
electric shock.

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
electrical and electronic equipment and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
electrical and electronic equipment running sheets, operations logs and other operational records and/or computer database of running information
vessel's survey procedures and instructions as they relate to shipboard electrical and electronic equipment
vessel's safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures
electrical and electronic equipment and vessel manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommended procedures
relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard electrical and electronic control equipment operation
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities and class societies concerning shipboard electrical and electronic control equipment operation.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of relevant national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules related to shipboard electrical and electronic control equipment operation on commercial vessels
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory electrical and electronic engineering practice standards.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate shipboard electrical and electronic equipment against specifications on a vessel of unlimited propulsion power (as a second engineer) and between 750 and 3,000 kW (as a chief engineer)
Identify malfunctioning and faulty electrical and electronic equipment and components and initiate appropriate action for repair or replacement
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the operation of shipboard electrical and electronic equipment
Identify typical electrical machinery and electronic control equipment operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during operation of electrical and electronic control equipment including effective use of internal communication systems
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 operation of shipboard electrical and electronic control equipment on vessels of 750 kW propulsion power or more
Relevant OH&S legislation, policies and procedures
Established engineering practice for the operation of marine electrical machinery and electronic equipment, systems and equipment
Typical operational characteristics and performance specifications for the different types of shipboard electrical and electronic equipment usually found on a vessel of 750 kW propulsion power or more
The nature and causes of typical shipboard electrical and electronic equipment operational problems and the appropriate preventative and remedial action to be taken in each case
A knowledge of the power distribution and control circuits typically used onboard a vessel between 750 and 3,000 kW propulsion power and their associated operational electrical and electronic equipment
Principles of electrotechnology, marine electrical practice and marine automation and control relevant to detection, identification and repair of faults, including:
electromagnetism and electrostatics
electrolytic action and cells
the electric circuit
principles and practical characteristics of AC and DC machines and related electrical and electronic control equipment
cabling, distribution and lighting systems
control and switch gear
deck electrical and electronic equipment
principles of operation of shipboard electronic components and systems, including:
electronics principles
integrated circuits
microprocessors
PLCs
process control theory
instruments, calibration and testing
electronic control, surveillance, measurement and recording systems
telemetering devices
alarm systems, including fire and emergency alarm systems
main and auxiliary machinery control and UMS
principles of 2 and 3 term controllers
Principles and procedures for electrical and electronic measurement, including the use of oscilloscopes and multimeters and insulation resistance measurement using a Megger
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret electrical and electronic equipment performance readings and instrumentation
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets
Knowledge and ability to read and interpret vessel and electrical and electronic equipment specifications, equipment drawings, operational manuals, and electrical and control circuit diagrams
Concepts of Unmanned Machinery Spaces (UMS) and automated monitoring and control of machinery
Practical characteristics and application of shipboard electrical machines including:
a.c. and d.c. motors
a.c. generators including requirements for the parallel operation and the process of synchronisation
three phase induction motors including the various starting methods
three phase motors
three phase synchronous motors
three phase alternators operating singly and in parallel
three phase transformers
Common active devices and their application in power electronic and electronic circuits typically used on a vessels of 750 kW propulsion power or more, including:
ability to identify the devices and their circuit symbols
operating characteristics of common active devices
applications of common active devices
Common integrated circuit devices and their application in shipboard electronic instrumentation and power supply circuits, including:
operational amplifiers
voltage regulators
multivibrators
Common digital electronic circuits and their application in shipboard electronic instrumentation systems, including:
digital integrated circuits
analog to digital converters
microprocessors
digital communication bus transmission system using optical and electronic sub-systems
Procedures for identifying faults and carrying out basic repairs on 4 to 20 mA loops including:
open and short circuits
earth faults
high resistance joints
power supply faults
electronic component failure
Principles and applications of programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
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 when operating electrical and electronic equipment
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation of shipboard electrical and electronic equipment
Safe procedures for the use of hand and power tools and maintenance equipment.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, exercises, case studies, simulated operational situations and other assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to operate electrical and electronic equipment typically found on a vessel of 750 kw propulsion power or more; and/or
operate shipboard electrical machinery and electronic equipment 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:
operating shipboard electrical machinery and electronic equipment
assessing operational performance of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic equipment
identifying operational problems with shipboard electrical machinery and electronic equipment and taking remedial action
taking action to minimise any damage and safety risk that could be caused by electrical machinery and electronic equipment malfunctions
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for the operation of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
applying safety precautions relevant to the operation of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment
completing operations 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 operation of shipboard electrical machinery and electronic control equipment, including electrical and electronic equipment specifications and directions on equipment capability and limitations
following on-board housekeeping processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify electrical machinery and electrical and electronic equipment malfunctions, non-conformities, accidents, hazardous occurrences and safety incidents in accordance with statutory requirements, company procedures and the ISM Code.

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.