This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a propulsion unit using appropriate engine systems and support services according to technical specifications and safe operating limits.

It includes preparing for operation; operating propulsion unit, engine systems and support services; completing operations and checking propulsion unit, engine systems and support services.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

Master on commercial vessels less than 35 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Master on vessels less than 80 metres in length in inshore waters

Chief Mate or Deck Watchkeeper on vessels less than 80 metres in length within the EEZ.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Master of a commercial vessel less than 35 metres Near Coastal and Mate less than 80 metres Near Coastal, as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for operation

1.1

Routine pre-operational checks of propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are completed prior to use according to manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

1.2

Propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are calibrated or set up correctly

1.3

Faults or malfunctions are identified and reported according to organisational procedures

1.4

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in the work area are identified and risk is assessed and reported according to organisational procedures

2

Operate propulsion unit, engine systems and support services

2.1

Risks to self, others and the environment are identified according to organisational procedures

2.2

Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to organisational procedures

2.3

Controls of propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are operated in a safe and controlled manner

2.4

Performance and efficiency of propulsion unit, engine systems and support services operations are monitored

2.5

Safe operational practices are used to anticipate and control hazards

2.6

Adverse sea and weather conditions that may impact on operation of propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are identified and operational practices are adjusted to maintain safety of vessel and personnel

2.7

Procedures to be undertaken in the event of emergencies are recognised and implemented

3

Complete operations and check propulsion unit, engine systems and support services

3.1

Shutdown procedures are conducted according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures

3.2

Malfunctions, faults, irregular performance or damage to propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are reported according to organisational procedures

3.3

Propulsion unit, engine systems and support services are cleaned and secured according to organisational procedures

3.4

Operational records are completed according to organisational procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

carrying out necessary calculations associated with managing propulsion unit

communicating effectively with other personnel

completing routine pre-operational wheelhouse checks of propulsion unit, engine systems and support services, including:

ancillary systems and controls

engine systems and controls

gearing systems

hydraulic systems and controls

performance indicators

power generating units and controls

pumps and pumping systems:

bilge systems

cooling water systems

water pumping systems

safety alarm systems

speed and fuel consumption indicators

steering gear

conducting wheelhouse shutdown and securing procedures for propulsion unit, engine systems and support services, including:

ancillary systems and controls

cooling water systems

engine systems and controls

hydraulic systems and controls

power generating units and controls

pumps and pumping systems:

bilge systems water pumping systems

safety alarm systems

speed indicators

steering gear

keeping records of monitoring and operation of safety and fire detection/suppression equipment, and any required remedial action

maintaining records of operation and maintenance of propulsion unit, ancillary power units, equipment and any related safety incidents

monitoring and evaluating performance of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment

reading and interpreting:

manufacturer instructions and recommended procedures for operation of propulsion systems and auxiliary systems

maritime regulations, rules and instructions

operational orders from the organisation’s safety management system (SMS)

recognising when performance of propulsion unit or ancillary power units and equipment is unsatisfactory or outside specified limits and taking appropriate action

safely operating and monitoring propulsion unit, engine systems and support services, including:

ancillary systems and controls

engine systems and controls

gearing systems

hydraulic systems and controls

performance indicators

power generating units and controls

pumps and pumping systems:

bilge systems

cooling water systems

water pumping systems

safety alarm systems

speed and fuel consumption indicators

steering gear

working collaboratively with other shipboard personnel and passengers during vessel operations.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

characteristics of propulsion units, ancillary power units and equipment, including operational limits, vessel stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and conditions of loading

dangers associated with operation of shipboard ancillary power units and related hazard prevention strategies

marine engineering terms

methods for controlling and managing operation of shipboard propulsion units, ancillary power units and equipment

operation of fire detection and suppression systems

pre-start checks, operation, monitoring, shutdown and post-operational checks of:

bow and stern thruster units

controllable pitch propellers (CPP)

principles of operation and control of various shipboard emergency systems

procedures to be undertaken in the event of emergencies must include:

fire or explosion

flooding

loss of:

propulsion

electrical power

steering

problems associated with remote control of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions

procedures for monitoring and evaluating performance of propulsion unit, ancillary power units and equipment

relationship between vessel speed and fuel consumption, including meaning of economical revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) and its application

relevant sections of state and territory maritime regulations, National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) and Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code related to operation of propulsion plants and ancillary equipment

relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and policies

requirements for waste management and control systems under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

sequence of required action when power unit becomes overloaded

support services.

Assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a commercial vessel greater than or equal to12 metres in length

applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, safety management system (SMS), equipment manufacturer’s instructions, workplace procedures and operational manuals

tools, equipment, materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

plant and equipment manufacturer instructions and recommended procedures

relevant sections of state and territory maritime regulations, NCSV and USL Code related to operation of propulsion plants and ancillary equipment

propulsion unit and engine systems must include:

ancillary systems and controls

diesel engines

engine systems and controls

gearing systems

hydraulic systems and controls

performance indicators

power generating units and controls

propeller shafting arrangements

pumps and pumping systems

safety alarm systems

speed and fuel consumption indicators

steering gear.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Not applicable.

C – Equipment Operations