Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate 220 to 440 V alternating current (AC) electrical systems.

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

• chief engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <1500 kW within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or
• second engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <3000 kW within the EEZ or
• chief or second engineer on a vessel with an outboard engine with unlimited propulsion power within the EEZ or
• assistant under direct supervision of a chief engineer; and
• worker in the engine room on vessels up to 80 metres in length with propulsion power up to 3000 kW.

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 Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC and a Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D. The AMSA mandated practical assessment (AMPA) is a requirement for AMSA certification as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) mandated practical assessment (AMPA) will cover a range, but not all, of the requirements identified in the Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence. The AMPA shall be undertaken in accordance with its instructions.

Assessors of AMPA must hold as a minimum:

• a current certificate of competency issued under Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 at the same level as the qualification being assessed with at least 12 months’ relevant sea service, or
• a relevant seafarer certificate, as engineer issued under the Navigation Act 2012.

Not Applicable

C - Equipment Operations

Not Applicable

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Prepare electrical systems and equipment for operation 

1.1 

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

1.2 

Pre-operational checks are carried out according to manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

2 

Operate electrical systems and equipment 

2.1 

Electrical systems and equipment are operated according to manufacturer specifications, regulations and vessel procedures

2.2 

Performance of electrical equipment is monitored

2.3 

Alternating current (AC) electrical supply is monitored and demand is adjusted

2.4 

Operational faults are recognised and recorded, and corrective action is taken according to manufacturer specifications and fault-finding procedures

3 

Connect and disconnect ship to shore electrical supply 

3.1 

Vessel is positioned and secured for connecting to shore electrical supply

3.2 

Power cable is inspected and connected to shore supply

3.3 

Procedures for changing from vessel supply to shore supply are implemented following vessel procedures

3.4 

Electrical supply is monitored for correct operation according to vessel procedures

3.5 

Operational faults are recognised and recorded, and corrective action is taken according to vessel procedures

3.6 

Procedures for changing from shore supply to vessel supply are implemented following vessel procedures

3.7 

Power cable is disconnected, inspected and stored

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.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to MARC010 Operate electrical systems.

Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

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:

• adjusting electrical supply to accommodate load demand
• applying work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and pollution control, legislation and policies
• connecting and disconnecting shore supply
• locating, interpreting and applying manufacturer specifications for electrical systems and equipment
• operating and monitoring alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical systems according to manufacturer recommendations, regulations and vessel operating procedures to ensure safe operation
• operating electrical systems and equipment
• performing isolation, lock out and tag out procedures
• recognising and rectifying operational faults.

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:

• adjusting low voltage electrical supply to accommodate load demand, including:

• changing electrical supply to a larger alternator
• connecting further alternators in parallel

• basic care of electrical systems and equipment in general - fault recognition
• batteries:

• care
• hazards
• types

• charging systems:

• alarms or indicators
• regulators

• connecting batteries in series and parallel
• earth indicating devices
• electric systems above 32 V DC and up to 415 V AC
• emergency supply and regulatory requirements
• fault identification, location and safety implications
• operation of fuses and circuit breakers
• operation of protection devices on the switchboard
• operation of starter motors, alternators and associated equipment
• personal safety
• process for recognising and rectifying operational faults, including:

• activation of protection devices on the switchboard
• battery faults
• blown fuses and open circuit breakers
• earth faults
• failure of alternators to produce voltage
• failure of starter motors
• faults with shore power connections including phase rotations

• process for recognising non-essential electrical systems be isolated.
• process for requesting non-essential electrical systems be isolated
• shore power connection
• single and three-phase power
• uses of fuses and circuit breakers and selection of correct capacity
• WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

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:

• applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, safety management systems (SMS), workplace procedures and operational manuals
• a commercial vessel with inboard diesel propulsion power of ≥150 kW or appropriate electrical systems ashore
• tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.