MARE5001A
Communicate effectively when performing engineering duties

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively when performing engineering duties on board a commercial vessel and includes communicating with others; reading and interpreting engineering publications, specifications, instructions and other documents; reading and interpreting equipment performance indications; using available tools to communicate between the bridge, engine control room and main engine room; and using a computer to enter and retrieve engineering information.

Application

This unit applies to the work of Marine Engineering Watchkeepers on commercial vessels greater than 750 kW and forms part of the requirements for the Certificate of Competency Marine Engineer Watchkeeper issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Apply information to engineering watchkeeping duties

1.1

Relevant engineering publications and other documentation are identified and accessed

1.2

Required information is extracted from relevant engineering publications and other documentation and is appropriately applied to work activities according to established marine engineering practice

1.3

Information in relevant engineering publications and other documentation used in daytoday work is applied to work activities

1.4

Engineering specifications and drawings are correctly read and interpreted, and information is applied according to established marine engineering practice

2

Apply engineering information

2.1

Readings on performance indicators are correctly made and interpreted

2.2

Engineering information, procedures, instructions and directions are obtained, interpreted and applied

2.3

Standard drawing symbols, appropriate instrumentation and process control terms are correctly used in relation to actions and functions of marine equipment and plant

2.4

Engineering drawings and control loops are correctly sketched as required

2.5

Engineering reports, running sheets and other engineering documentation relevant to the performance of engineering duties are correctly and accurately completed

3

Communicate between bridge, engine control room and main engine room

3.1

Available tools are correctly used to communicate between bridge, engine control room and main engine room

3.2

Appropriate records of engineering communications are completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

4

Communicate with officers, crew and others

4.1

Clear and precise communication is used and established communication practices are followed

4.2

Communication misunderstandings are avoided using appropriate confirmation techniques and established communication practices

4.3

Messages concerning vessel safety and operations are received, read, clarified as required, correctly interpreted and applied to engineering activities

4.4

Appropriate techniques are used when communicating with multilingual crew to ensure communication is effective and messages are clearly understood

4.5

Non-verbal communication is appropriately used when working and communicating with others

4.6

Feedback, instruction and training on work performance is effectively provided to engine room crew according to vessel procedures and established engineering practice

Required Skills

Required Skills:

Assess own work outcomes and maintain knowledge of current codes, standards, regulations and industry practices

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Identify and interpret numerical and graphical information in marine engineering publications

Identify, collate and process information required to prepare verbal and written reports

Impart knowledge and ideas as required through oral, written and visual means

Interpret documentation related to marine engineering operations

Read and interpret written information needed to perform basic marine engineering tasks

Resolve misunderstandings in written and verbal communication

Use computer and relevant equipment to enter, access and retrieve engineering information

Use established marine engineering vocabulary as required

Required Knowledge:

Established engineering practice for the operation, checking, maintenance and repair of marine plant, machinery, equipment and systems

Established written, verbal and non-verbal marine engineering communication practices

Marine engineering communication techniques, including barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them

National and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the operation, maintenance and repair of plant, machinery and equipment on vessels of unlimited propulsion power

Principles of effective communication

Protocols and procedures for communicating with others on board vessels

Relevant industrial award requirements as they relate to shipboard engineering personnel responsibilities, obligations and entitlements

Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures

Standard nautical vocabulary as described in IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases

Techniques for communicating effectively with a multilingual crew

Tools typically available for communication between bridge, engine control room and main engine room

Typical communication problems and appropriate action and solutions

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

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:

attention to detail when communicating with others

attention to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping.

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 communicating effectively when performing engineering duties can be demonstrated

technical reference library with current publications on basic marine operations

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 communicating effectively when performing engineering duties

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.

Relevant engineering publications and other documentation may include:

Anti pollution and environmental protection regulations and procedures, including relevant sections of the MARPOL Convention

Instructions of relevant maritime authorities and classification societies concerning shipboard machinery operations, maintenance and repair

ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions

Machinery and vessel manufacturer specifications, instructions and recommended procedures

Marine engineering publications and manuals

Relevant sections of national and international regulations, IMO Conventions and Codes, including AMSA Marine Orders and class society rules dealing with shipboard machinery maintenance and repair

Operational and maintenance logs, running sheets and records, including computer databases of running information and maintenance records

Vessel and organisational planned operational and maintenance procedures and instructions

Vessel safety and emergency contingency plans and procedures, including relevant sections of the SOLAS Convention

Vessel survey as it relates to shipboard plant, equipment and machinery

Performance indicators may include:

Computer screens

Gauges

Instrumentation

Available tools may include:

Alarms

Hand held radios

Internal communication systems


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.