MARC007
Operate marine internal combustion engines, and propulsion and auxiliary systems


Application

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to safely operate marine internal combustion engines, and propulsion and auxiliary systems on a vessel.

This unit applies to engine workers in the maritime industry working as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal on vessels up to 500 kW or as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal on vessels up to 750 kW or as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal on vessels up to 1500 kW.

This unit has links to legislative and certification requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems for use

1.1

Appropriate personal protective equipment is selected, used, maintained and stored according to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

1.2

Routine pre-operational checks are carried out on equipment according to manufacturer specifications and workplace requirements

1.3

Engine is started according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements

1.4

Deviations from the norm are promptly identified and rectified

1.5

Adjustments are made to achieve a safe and efficient operation

1.6

Inability to start equipment is reported, and logged promptly and accurately to appropriate personnel

2

Operate engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems

2.1

Engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems are operated in a safe and controlled manner

2.2

Performance and efficiency of engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems are monitored according manufacturer instructions

2.3

Engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems are operated within defined operating limits when running, to achieve optimum safety and efficiency

2.4

Environmental implications associated with operation of engine, and propulsion and auxiliary systems are identified and controlled

2.5

Deviations from normal operations are promptly identified

2.6

Action is taken to identify and rectify basic operational faults to maintain optimum safety and efficiency

2.7

Appropriate action is taken in the event of a malfunction or emergency

3

Complete operations

3.1

Equipment shut-down procedures are carried out according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

3.2

Engine, propulsion and auxiliary system operational records are maintained according to workplace procedures

3.3

Equipment damage, malfunctions or irregular performance is recorded and reported according to workplace procedures

Evidence of Performance

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:

arranging maintenance according to technical specifications

checking pressures, temperatures and revolutions during start-up and warm-up periods according to technical specifications

complying with vessel operating procedures and manufacturer recommendations for start-up and making available fuel, lubricants, cooling water and air

identifying:

main difference between two- and four-stroke cycles of operation

major parts of marine internal combustion engines

marine propulsion systems components and explaining their functions

implementing safe and environmentally responsible work practices

initiating timely action in response to defects or damage

managing fuel systems safely according to regulations, manufacturer instructions and vessel procedures, so as to prevent pollution of the marine environment

operating:

lubricating systems according to established procedures and so as to prevent pollution of the marine environment

main propulsion plant auxiliary systems to ensure safe operating conditions

marine internal combustion engines within technical specifications

pumping systems according to manufacturer instructions, operational procedures and regulations to ensure safety of operation and prevention of pollution of the marine environment

refrigeration system according to manufacturer instructions, operational procedures and regulations to ensure safety of operation and prevention of pollution of the marine environment

outlining operation and servicing propulsion system within the technical specifications

preparing shut-down and supervising cooling down of engine according to vessel operating procedures and manufacturer recommendations

reading and interpreting manufacturer specifications

recognising and repairing basic operational faults or organising maintenance assistance

testing steering arrangements according to manufacturer instructions, operational procedures and regulations.


Evidence of Knowledge

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:

air filters

back-flooding prevention

basic:

combustion process

governor operation

timing diagrams

bearing types, materials, installation, lubrication

causes of vibration and undue wear

circulating pumps

controllable pitch propellers

cooling systems including keel cooling/heat exchangers, circulating pumps, ship’s side valves, coolant circulation and thermostats

corrosion

couplings types, fittings, keys and keyways

drive systems, belts, clutches, motors, etc. of pumping systems

dual duty systems/cross connection

emergency procedures

engine watchkeeping

fault identification, maintenance, prevention of corrosion

fuel system fault-finding and possible emergency operation

fuel systems including petrol/diesel, carburettors/fuel injectors, common rail

gear box fault identification and emergency operation

glands, packing, seals

identification of components of refrigeration systems

injection pumps

inspection and checks of main and auxiliary machinery and associated spaces

instrumentation

keeping running and maintenance logs

lubricating systems including lube oil circulating systems, lube oil system components, general lubrication , cooling effects and lubrication system problems

main differences between two- and four-stroke cycles of operation

maintenance and inspection

marine two- and four-stroke:

diesel engines

petrol engines

major parts of marine internal combustion engines

operation of firefighting equipment in engine space

own ability and limits to rectify irregularities

power transmission operation

propeller and intermediate shafting alignment

pumping systems including fire/bilge/tank circulating systems

refrigeration systems including hazards of refrigerant gases

relevant environmental responsibilities, regulations and legislative requirements

rudder and stock support bearings

running checks

shaft seals and glands, packings

start-up and shut-down procedures

steering operation of hydraulic, cable, rod and gear

steering systems including rudder construction and rudder types

sterndrive and water jet drive units

strainers, mudboxes, foot valves

testing of steering and hydraulic systems

tiller arm attachment

turbo/supercharging

use of flexible materials, hoses

valve types:

construction and routine servicing

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry including:

boots

gloves

hard hat

hearing protection

overalls

protective eyewear

respirator or face mask

applicable documentation such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

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


Range Statement

Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

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

Pre-operational checks include one or more of the following:

checking coolants levels

checking:

filters

fuel level

starting system

there is enough power available on switchboard and close isolator

confirming correct pressures of auxiliary systems

connections

dip oil

inspecting batteries and turning on isolator

inspecting for leaks and faults

inspecting safety guards, power take off stubs and shafts

leads

lines

opening valves as appropriate

Equipment includes one or more of the following:

auxiliary equipment and associated spaces

cooling systems

firefighting equipment

fuel systems

gearbox

lubricating systems

marine two- and four-stroke:

diesel engines

petrol engines

propeller and immediate shafting alignment

pumping systems

refrigeration systems

steering systems

sterndrive and water jet drive units

Environmental implications must include:

excessive noise and exhaust emissions

loss of fuel and oil overside

Basic operational faults include one or more of the following:

starting faults

failure of:

cooling systems

fuel system

lubrication systems

gearbox faults

pumping systems failure

refrigeration systems failure

steering failure

Emergencies include one or more of the following:

failure of main engine

fire

flooding

loss of steering

Operational records include one or more of the following:

maintenance logs

running logs


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

C - Equipment Operations