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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare work
  2. 2
  3. Operate engines and associated propulsion plant
  4. Test engines and associated propulsion plant
  5. Analyse engines and associated propulsion plant faults
  6. Complete documentation

Range Statement

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

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Engine and plant operational prerequisites include one or more of the following:

anti-pollution rules and regulations

bridge orders

hazard control precautions and procedures

safety rules and regulations

survey requirements

technical specifications

Emergencies include one or more of the following:

crankcase and gearbox explosions

gearbox failure

scavenge and uptake fires

starting air-line

Tests include one or more of the following:

auxiliary boiler water

lubricating oil

machinery cooling water


Performance Evidence

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

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices, including:

entry into pump-room, fuel tanks and other confined spaces on a vessel

hazards involved in engines, propulsion plan and auxiliary equipment operation

pollution control

attending to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping

avoiding polluting the environment

identifying problems that occur during the operation of engines on vessels

interpreting and following procedures for the operation, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of engines on vessels

operating bilge and ballast systems under the supervision of the officer in charge of the engineering watch, according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures

producing reliable documentation

reading and interpreting:

equipment performance readings and instrumentation

lock out and tagging procedures

safety data sheets (SDSs)/material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

recognising and reporting electrical hazards and unsafe equipment

selecting and using tools required for operating, monitoring and evaluating the performance of engines on vessels.


Knowledge Evidence

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

basic principles and functions of machinery space monitoring and alarm systems

basic principles and operational characteristics of:

auxiliary boilers and associated equipment

controllable pitch propellers (CPP)

direct drive propulsion systems

internal combustion engines

jet propulsion

marine gas engines

reduction boxes

steam turbines, gearing and associated equipment as they apply to auxiliary systems

thrusters (Z pellors, azimuth, tunnel)

Voith Schneider Units

basic principles of:

detection, identification and repair of faults

engine cooling and lubrication

fuel systems including heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel

marine control systems

basic principles of operation of hydraulic and electronic governors and overspeed trips

causes of electric shock and precautions to be observed to prevent shock

hazards and problems that can occur during the operation and performance of engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery and appropriate preventative and remedial actions and solutions

methods of providing air for combustion in the vessel engine room

national and international regulations, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions and Codes, class rules applicable to the operation and performance evaluation of engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery on vessels

nature and causes of typical malfunctions and/or poor performance of engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery, and the available methods for their detection and rectification

procedures for:

carrying out performance evaluation of engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery

testing and treating auxiliary boiler water, machinery cooling water and lubricating oil

purpose of safe isolation procedures and application of lock out tags

relevant WHS/ OHS requirements, work practices and pollution control regulations and policies

rights and responsibilities of individuals about lock out and tagging of plant and equipment

safe function, operation and maintenance of bilge and ballast systems

safe operation of equipment including valves and pumps

safe use and operation of electrical equipment including safety precautions before commencing work or repair, isolation procedures, emergency procedures and different voltages on board

safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation and performance of engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery

shafting systems, oil fill stern tube, pedestal bearings, thrust bearings

preventative strategies for scavenge and uptake fires, and starting air-line, crankcase and gearbox explosions

typical SDSs/MSDSs, vessel and machinery specifications, machine drawings, operation manuals, electrical and control circuit diagrams.