MARL047 — Demonstrate advanced knowledge of marine auxiliary boilers

1 Outline responsibilities of an Engineer Class 2 in relation to auxiliary boiler and steam plant of a vessel

• 1.1Commonwealth, state/territory and local legislation and regulations that relate to marine boilers and steam plant in terms of safety, repairs and pollution, including implementation, is identified
• 1.2Safe operating practices for all steam plant are examined and standing orders as to their operation are prepared or modified
• 1.3Procedures for establishing engine room staff who are fully conversant with safe practices for boiler operation are outlined

2 Evaluate design and construction of marine auxiliary boilers

• 2.1Typical boiler types illustrating cross-section, attachments and location of all fittings, mountings, scantlings and method of achieving circulation are examined
• 2.2Material requirements for boiler components are identified
• 2.3Construction of different types of boilers is analysed and difference recorded

3 Evaluate boiler and steam plant repairs

• 3.1Types and properties of materials used in boilers and steam plant are identified
• 3.2Common component failures in boilers and steam plant are explained and reported
• 3.3Appropriate repairs for failed components in boilers and steam plant are determined
• 3.4Constraints on engineering staff engaged in repairing boilers and steam plant are explained
• 3.5Requirements to report defects in pressurised components of boilers are identified

4 Evaluate design and operation of thermal fluid heating plants

• 4.1Different gauge glass types are compared
• 4.2Typical thermal fluid heating plant is explained and advantages and limitations of the system are identified
• 4.3Locations and functions of all fittings and safety devices in a typical thermal fluid system are explained
• 4.4Properties of thermal fluid, effects of contamination and methods of testing fluid are analysed
• 4.5Hazards associated with heat transfer oil systems are analysed
• 4.6Routine maintenance procedures associated with heat transfer oil systems are outlined

5 Evaluate layout and design of marine steam systems and components

• 5.1Thermal fluid heating is compared to conventional steam plant
• 5.2Typical steam system layout showing location of all components on feed and heating side is detailed
• 5.3Material requirements for steam system components are identified
• 5.4Reasons for operating plant and systems at nominated temperatures and pressures, and effects of departing from these parameters, are explained

6 Interpret complex steam plant cycles

• 6.1Operation, function and efficiency of dual pressure cycles and steam/steam generators are compared and contrasted
• 6.2Operation of dual pressure and pass in/out turbines is explained

7 Evaluate steam plant efficiency

• 7.1Combustion efficiency from flue gas constituents is assessed
• 7.2Steam and fuel consumption to obtain heating efficiency is analysed
• 7.3Causes of loss of steam plant efficiency are evaluated and recorded
• 7.4Requirements of inert gas generation of boiler plant are determined

8 Explain methods of auxiliary steam plant operation and control under variable conditions

• 8.1Methods of steam pressure control while manoeuvring and possible adverse impacts are analysed
• 8.2How dew point can be reached when operating at reduced power is examined
• 8.3How low powers can limit steam production by exceeding pinch point is explained

9 Outline procedures for inspecting marine auxiliary boilers and associated plant

• 9.1Symptoms of faults in steam traps, hot wells, de-aerators, condensers, evaporators and requirements for contamination prevention between systems, are analysed
• 9.2Procedures for shutting down, isolating and opening up a boiler for inspection or during an emergency are clarified
• 9.3Possible defects that may occur in a boiler, fire and water side, their location and effects are analysed
• 9.4Repair procedures commonly employed for damaged boilers are examined and limitations of such repairs are explained
• 9.5Procedures for leak detecting in boilers and steam equipment are clarified and remedial actions are explained
• 9.6Mechanism of economiser fires are analysed

10 Outline procedures for surveying boilers

• 10.1Procedures for preparing a boiler for survey are documented and explained
• 10.2Boiler inspection procedures that would cover all possible problem areas are planned
• 10.3Purpose and procedures for carrying out hydrostatic/hydraulic pressure tests and non-destructive tests on auxiliary boilers are explained

11 Analyse procedures for protecting steam plant during off-load conditions

• 11.1Procedures for decommissioning and laying up a boiler for short and long intervals are compared
• 11.2Processes for cleaning boilers are evaluated
• 11.3Procedures for re-commissioning steam plant are explained
• 11.4Chief Engineer responsibilities for setting lifting pressure of safety valves are outlined

12 Differentiate between safety valves types

• 12.1Common types of boiler safety valves are analysed and sketched, and how they are classified in terms of valve lift is explained
• 12.2Materials used in safety valves are identified and operational problems that can occur are analysed
• 12.3Defects that may be found when dismantling a safety valve for survey are analysed
• 12.4Procedures for setting valve lift pressure are established and precautions necessary when testing valve on fired and non-fired boilers are examined
• 12.5Chief Engineer responsibilities for setting lifting pressure of safety valves are outlined

13 Evaluate problems associated with feed and boiler water

• 13.1Causes of scaling and corrosion of water side of a boiler and how these can be minimised are analysed
• 13.2Acceptable operational range and effects of contamination on boiler chemical reserves are identified
• 13.3Reliability of boiler water test results are analysed in relation to sampling procedure, testing equipment and shelving of test chemicals
• 13.4Different tests carried out on boiler water are explained and implications of out-of-range results are interpreted
• 13.5Use of different chemicals to treat and condition boiler water is assessed

14 Assess hazards of operating steam plant under adverse or faulty operating conditions

• 14.1Potential hazards of boiler operation with contaminated feed water are assessed
• 14.2Procedure for continuing boiler operation when contamination has exceeded acceptable limits is explained
• 14.3Effects of operating boiler with insufficient water level are explained and actions to be taken under loss of water conditions are identified
• 14.4Causes, consequences and relevant preventative measures associated with furnace explosions are analysed
• 14.5Operating conditions that can lead to an economiser fire and actions that can be taken to prevent and control such fires are evaluated
• 14.6Alternative methods for maintaining heating if a boiler or economiser has to be shut down are determined

15 Evaluate marine fuel systems

• 15.1Procedure to be adopted when boiler is severely contaminated from different sources is outlined
• 15.2Boiler fuel system, its components and maintenance procedure are detailed
• 15.3Combustion process, its monitoring system and requirements for good combustion are analysed
• 15.4Different types of burners are compared and contrasted and how atomisation is achieved is explained
• 15.5Operation of a burner management system that incorporates pressure and level control is explained

16 Evaluate marine boiler auxiliaries

• 16.1Construction, operating principles and maintenance requirements of a regenerative condenser are explained
• 16.2Causes of loss of vacuum are identified and test procedure to identify leaks in a condenser is created
• 16.3Construction and operation of air ejectors, drain coolers, vacuum pumps and extraction pumps are explained

What does an assessment tool for MARL047 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for MARL047 needs to address all 106 unit components: 16 elements with 67 performance criteria, 8 performance evidence requirements, 31 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 MARL047?

Auditori pulls the current release of MARL047 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 MARL047 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing MARL047 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 MARL047, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.