MARL053 — Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ship operations and maintenance

1 Analyse regulatory framework impacting on commercial shipping operations and survey requirements

• 1.1Functions of IMO, its fields of influence, role of member states, adoption of recommendations through maritime legislation and exemptions are analysed
• 1.2Role of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention in relation to dockyard and shipboard practices is analysed
• 1.3Key provisions of Australian maritime legislation are analysed
• 1.4Role of AMSA in relation to maritime safety, protection of marine environment, and aviation and marine search and rescue (SAR) is explained
• 1.5Role of Flag State Administrations; purpose of the Navigation Act, Marine Notices, Marine Orders, Port State Control and other methods of implementation and enforcement of international agreements and conventions are analysed
• 1.6Role of insurance underwriters, protection and indemnity (P & I) clubs and procedures for lodging claims following machinery failure and/or damage are analysed
• 1.7Role of classification societies, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and Memorandum of Agreement with Flag States is analysed
• 1.8Role of ship owners and ship management companies regarding International Safety Management (ISM) Code and ship management responsibilities regarding operation and maintenance is analysed
• 1.9Role of independent inspection agencies and adoption of inspection and maintenance guidelines for different ship types is analysed
• 1.10STCW crew training requirements and implications for emergency response, administration, operation and maintenance are analysed
• 1.11Key provisions of the Code of Safe Working Practice for Australian Seafarers are analysed
• 1.12Areas of vessel covered by statutory surveys are identified
• 1.13Statutory requirements for change of flag, owner and term expiry during layup are identified
• 1.14Records and documentation required for statutory surveys, legislation and measures are identified to ensure protection of the marine environment and safety of life at sea are identified
• 1.15Load line measurements and conditions of freeboard assignment are analysed
• 1.16Key areas of maintenance and testing of load line items and actions for addressing identified maintenance requirements and defects are identified
• 1.17Areas covered by safety construction surveys and associated faults, maintenance and repairs are identified
• 1.18Procedures for planning safety equipment surveys and actions for addressing identified maintenance requirements and defects are analysed
• 1.19Requirements for survey preparation under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) are analysed
• 1.20Survey requirements for cargo ship safety construction, safety equipment and safety radio certificates; passenger ship safety certificates; chemical tanker and gas carrier certificates of fitness are analysed
• 1.21Application of Port State Control surveys, Flag State jurisdiction and IMO guidelines in relation to vessel detention and identification of substandard ships are analysed
• 1.22Substandard ship and factors causing ship detention are identified

2 Analyse maintenance for classification surveys and maintain class certification

• 2.1Common areas covered by classification surveys are analysed, reasons for class withdrawal are clarified and condition of class are explained
• 2.2Survey methods are analysed
• 2.3Terms of periodical, annual, renewal, intermediate and occasional surveys are identified
• 2.4Common defects identified in classification surveys and appropriate remedial actions are analysed
• 2.5Methods for repair and maintenance are analysed
• 2.6Properties and repair techniques of ordinary and high tensile hull grades of steel are analysed
• 2.7Processes and materials used in underwater hull repairs are assessed
• 2.8Methods of minimising and controlling internal and external hull corrosion, including bacterial corrosion of bilges and fuel tanks, are evaluated
• 2.9Drainage arrangements and connections to other systems of spaces outside the engine room are explained
• 2.10Ballast main connections to fore and after peak tanks are outlined and procedures for filling and emptying tanks are clarified
• 2.11Examination and repair techniques for fixed pitch and controllable propellers are assessed
• 2.12Dismantling, inspection, repair and re-assembly of thrusters and rudders are explained
• 2.13Methods of performance testing shipboard pumping systems are evaluated
• 2.14Causes of common faults and methods of assessment of shipboard pumping systems are identified
• 2.15Condition monitoring of machinery is compared with planned maintenance systems
• 2.16Causes of damage to and losses of bulk ships and tankers, and appropriate remedies are explained
• 2.17Types and purpose of special and enhanced surveys are outlined
• 2.18Hull life extension surveys and enhanced survey requirements for tankers and bulk ships are outlined
• 2.19Different methods and applications of welding used in shipbuilding and repair are outlined
• 2.20How materials are joined so that the strength of components is not impaired is confirmed
• 2.21Different methods used to connect aluminium to steel are outlined

3 Analyse factors influencing vessel stability

• 3.1Theories and factors affecting trim and stability as well as measures necessary to preserve trim and stability are explained
• 3.2IMO recommendations concerning ship stability are identified
• 3.3Risks associated with carrying thixotropic bulk cargo, deck cargo or grain and consequences of cargo movement or loss are outlined
• 3.4Damage and intact stability requirements for merchant ships, countermeasures for roll-on and roll-off (ro-ro) vessels and damage control assessment following collision or grounding is assessed
• 3.5Operational procedures to minimise and control flooding are prepared
• 3.6Stability requirements for routine and emergency dry docking, including stability assessment for the docking duration, are specified
• 3.7Factors causing ship squat and other influences on vessel manoeuvrability are assessed
• 3.8Stability documentation required for different ship types to satisfy International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is identified
• 3.9Intact and damage stability criteria are explained
• 3.10Use of stabilisers is explained
• 3.11Bilge keels and fin type stabilisers are compared and contrasted
• 3.12How stabilisers are attached to the hull is explained
• 3.13Hull stiffening requirements for fin and bilge keel types is explained

4 Analyse IMDG Code requirements

• 4.1Key principles of IMDG Code are analysed
• 4.2Action plans for managing emergency situations onboard a vessel involving dangerous goods are developed
• 4.3Criteria for evaluating effectiveness of action plans for managing emergency situations onboard a vessel involving dangerous goods are established
• 4.4Requirements of ordering and taking bunkers, as well as discharging to shore side reception facilities, are specified

5 Analyse safe working practices in enclosed spaces

• 5.1Function, status and limitations of chemist certificate of compliance is explained
• 5.2Dangers of using cleaning solvents and painting in enclosed spaces using product safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) and work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines are assessed

6 Analyse dry docking procedures and responsibilities of engineering staff

• 6.1Dockyard contract, docking specifications and survey requirements are used to plan preparation of vessel for docking, explaining variations required for emergency docking
• 6.2Dock work schedules, responsibilities for engineering personnel and procedures for dock entry, duration and re-floating are prepared
• 6.3Inspection and maintenance procedures for hull and machinery items in dock are explained
• 6.4In-water hull cleaning methods and preparation essential for in-water surveys are evaluated
• 6.5Types and application procedures of coatings used to protect ship hulls and tanks are identified
• 6.6Procedures for vessel layup to satisfy class, insurance, owner and statutory requirements are prepared
• 6.7Inspection and reactivation processes after prolonged layup are outlined

7 Analyse shipboard vibration

• 7.1Appropriate terms are applied when describing vibration
• 7.2Influence of materials, construction, loading patterns and ship type on natural hull vibration patterns is assessed
• 7.3Significance of hull response to excitation by sea state, machinery and propulsion systems is explained
• 7.4Methods of prediction and in-service assessment of resonant vibration are evaluated
• 7.5Vibration-related structural and equipment damage and failure is identified
• 7.6Solutions to troublesome vibration are proposed
• 7.7Acceptable vibration limits using relevant standards are established

8 Analyse vessel bunkering requirements

• 8.1Requirements for bunkering orders are analysed
• 8.2Procedures for taking bunkers are analysed
• 8.3Bunkering guidelines for spills and fire are analysed
• 8.4Methods and requirements for sampling fuels are analysed
• 8.5Procedures for assessing the quality and quantity of fuels are explained
• 8.6Communication requirements and procedures during bunkering operations are analysed
• 8.7Methods for monitoring levels and facilitating changeover of tanks are analysed

9 Outline maintenance, repair and safe working practices associated with lifting and lifesaving equipment

• 9.1Safe working practices applicable to cranes, chain blocks, items of loose gear and other lifting equipment are identified
• 9.2Safety and protective devices used in conjunction with lifting gear are identified
• 9.3Means of testing and adjusting lifting gear are confirmed
• 9.4Legislative and regulatory requirements for inspection, storage and maintenance of lifting gear are outlined
• 9.5Purposes and procedures involved in annual and quadrennial surveys of cargo gear are clarified
• 9.6Procedures for safe working load (SWL) and proof load tests, including lifeboat launching gear, are clarified
• 9.7Safe working practices applicable to rigging and lifting heavy items during maintenance and repair are identified
• 9.8Installation, operation and maintenance of lifesaving appliances and launching equipment are outlined
• 9.9Safety and protective devices associated with lifesaving appliances and launching equipment are confirmed

10 Outline operation of an inert gas system for a tanker

• 10.1Construction, operation and maintenance of individual components of inert gas system (IGS) are explained
• 10.2Mandatory controls, alarms and cut-outs are identified

11 Outline components of vessels, frame and deck

• 11.1Correct terms to describe size and shape of vessels are used
• 11.2Correct terms to describe structural components of vessels are used
• 11.3Correct terms to describe size or cargo carrying capacity of vessels are used
• 11.4Online and other sources of information on size, shape and structural components of vessels are accessed
• 11.5Longitudinal, transverse and combined framing are compared and contrasted in relation to ship strength
• 11.6Position, purpose and construction of a deep frame are explained
• 11.7Transition methods from one frame type to another are outlined
• 11.8How the strength of frames is maintained when connecting to deck beams and other strength members is explained
• 11.9How stress raisers are reduced around hatchways, door openings, forecastle, bridge structure, watertight doors and gastight doors is explained
• 11.10Bilge keels structure with particular reference to fitment to hull is outlined and purpose for this type of fitting is explained
• 11.11Classification requirements and restrictions of sheer strake, keel strake and garboard strake are examined
• 11.12Requirements for use of suction and discharge valves and fittings in the shell above and below the waterline are outlined
• 11.13Strength members required for deck machinery are outlined

12 Explain static and dynamic forces and moments exerted on hull of a vessel

• 12.1Correct terms to describe effects of forces exerted on hull are used
• 12.2Various forces acting on the vessel are analysed
• 12.3Stresses on various components of the hull are compared as a result of these forces
• 12.4Differentiation is made between panting and pounding forces
• 12.5How forepeak sections are strengthened to resist panting and pounding forces is explained
• 12.6Anchor and cable arrangements in forepeak tank are explained
• 12.7Strength members in afterpeak sections are outlined
• 12.8Different rudder support arrangements are clarified

13 Explain how vessel structure is designed to resist distortion

• 13.1Scantlings are defined
• 13.2Classification society rules for determining scantling sizes are identified
• 13.3Main strength members of vessel hull are identified
• 13.4Importance of maintaining integrity of principal strength members is explained

14 Explain bottom structure, forepeak and afterpeak of vessels

• 14.1Differentiation is made between different types of keel construction
• 14.2Advantages and disadvantage of duct keel in relation to ship strength are explained
• 14.3How safe access to the duct keel is obtained, is outlined
• 14.4Longitudinally framed double bottom construction is distinguished from a transversely framed double bottom construction
• 14.5Differentiation is made between bracket floors and plate floors
• 14.6Structural requirements for supporting different types of main engines are outlined
• 14.7Classification society rules for construction of forepeak and afterpeak sections are explained

15 Explain construction of watertight bulkheads

• 15.1Purpose of bulkheads is stated
• 15.2Minimum number of bulkheads and their locations are determined
• 15.3Bulkhead is sketched showing construction and attachment to hull
• 15.4Purpose, construction and location of collision bulkheads is outlined
• 15.5Test procedures for bulkheads are clarified
• 15.6How strength is maintained in openings is explained
• 15.7Requirements for penetration of collision bulkhead are stated
• 15.8Situations in which non-watertight bulkheads are fitted are identified

16 Outline vessel ventilation systems

• 16.1Different types of ventilation systems are clarified
• 16.2Why ventilator cowls are required is explained

What does an assessment tool for MARL053 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for MARL053 needs to address all 199 unit components: 16 elements with 136 performance criteria, 14 performance evidence requirements, 48 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for MARL053?

Auditori pulls the current release of MARL053 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for MARL053 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing MARL053 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of MARL053, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.