MARC3005A
Operate and monitor marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to safely operate marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems on a vessel up to 750 kW.

Application

This unit applies to engine workers in the maritime industry working as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 on vessels up to 750 kW or as a Marine Engine Driver Steam.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Prepare for sea

1.1

Fuels and lubricating fluids required for proposed voyage are acquired

1.2

Spares and stores required for proposed voyage are acquired

1.3

Flammable/explosive materials are stowed and managed according to regulatory and organisational requirements

1.4

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in engine room are identified, risk assessed and corrective actions taken according to organisational practices

1.5

Pre-start checks are conducted on machinery and equipment according to organisational procedures and manufacturer specifications

1.6

Engines are started according to manufacturer specifications and vessel procedures

1.7

Starting faults are recognised and rectified according to manufacturer specifications and fault-finding procedures

2

Operate engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems

2.1

Engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems are operated within technical specifications

2.2

Main propulsion plant and auxiliary systems are operated and monitored to ensure they are within operating limits specified by vessel procedures and manufacturer recommendations

2.3

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

2.4

Accidental or operational discharge of polluting substances are recorded according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

2.5

Operational faults are recognised and rectified in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and fault-finding procedures

2.6

Operational records are kept according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

2.7

Appropriate action is taken when a malfunction or emergency occurs

3

Secure vessel after voyage

3.1

Engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems are shut-down according to manufacturer specifications and vessel procedures

3.2

All damage and repairs requiring action are recorded according to organisational procedures

Required Skills

Required Skills:

Explain:

method of propulsion plant reversal

operation of marine gearboxes

two- and four-stroke cycles of operation

Identify constructional parts of marine internal combustion engines

Keep running and maintenance logs

Manage:

lubricating systems and prevent pollution of marine environment

cooling systems

pumping systems and prevent pollution of marine environment

stowage of flammable/explosive materials and refrigerant gases

Operate:

refrigeration system

marine internal combustion engines within technical specifications

Operate main propulsion plant and auxiliary systems within recommended parameters

Operate and maintain steering systems

Prepare vessel and machinery for sea

Recognise and rectify operational faults

Secure vessel and machinery after voyage

Required Knowledge:

Bilge pumping for vessels with several compartments

Common faults:

in steering gear

of deck machinery

Construction of heat exchangers

Controllable pitch propellers (CPP) construction and operation

Coolant circulation and thermostats

Correct pressure and flow conditions

Corrosion prevention

Cross connections between:

bilge/ballast/seawater systems and fire main

seawater systems and bilge systems

Dangers associated with:

back-flooding and methods to prevent back-flooding

LPG and petrol vapours

refrigerant gas leaks in confined spaces

Diesel engine:

construction

operation

fuel injection, timing and control equipment

Dry sump and wet sump lubrication systems and components

Electrohydraulic steering gear

Emergency steering

Engine:

protection arrangements

performance and reasons for lack of performance

watchkeeping duties

Environmental responsibilities , regulations and legislative requirements

Gearbox fault identification and emergency operation

Governor operation

Hazards of refrigerants

Heat exchanger, keel cooler and raw water cooling systems

Lubrication and cooling:

of gearboxes

effects

Lubricating oil system faults

Method of propulsion plant reversal including CPP

Preparations and checks necessary before sailing

Pump capabilities and requirements for priming

Refrigeration system and components

Reverse/reduction gearbox operation

Routine for operating and maintaining steering systems

Seawater circulating systems

Securing vessel after voyage

Ship side valves

Shutting down machinery

Spares and stores required for proposed voyage

Storage of LPG cylinders

Testing:

steering gear

LPG detectors

Turbo charging and supercharging arrangements

Types and operation of deck machinery including basic hydraulic systems

Types of:

gear trains

pumps and safety devices

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

being aware of own ability and limits to rectify irregularities and faults

implementing workplace environmental and waste management procedures correctly.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

industry-approved marine operations site where operating marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems on a vessel up to 1500 kW can be conducted

tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments

appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment

Practical assessment must occur in an:

appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or

appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

direct observation of the candidate operating marine internal combustion engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems on a vessel up to1500 kW

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

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


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Spares and stores may include:

Cleaning products and materials

Grease

LPG

Machinery spare parts

Oils

Paint

Refrigeration gas

Tools, hand and power

Flammable/explosive materials must include:

Liquid fuels

LPG

Refrigerant gas

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards may include:

Heavy objects securely lashed

Leaking fuel

Loose machinery guards

Slippery decks

Engines, propulsion plant and auxiliary systems may include:

Auxiliary equipment and associated spaces

Cooling systems

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 may include:

Accidental release of refrigeration gas

Excessive noise

Exhaust emissions

Loss of fuel and oil overboard

Pumping bilges

Polluting substances may include:

Chemicals

Oils

Refrigeration gases

Sewage

Operational records may include:

Ballast log

Maintenance logs

Oil record book

Running logs

Emergencies may include:

Emergency steering

Failure of the main engine

Fire

Flooding


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.