Assisting in the installation of electrical/electronic equipment in yachts and boats
Overview
This standard identifies the competencies you need to assist in the installation of electrical/electronic equipment in yachts or boats, in accordance with approved procedures. The installation activities will involve installing equipment at component or unit level on a variety of different types of yacht or boat electrical assemblies and sub-assemblies such as power supply and distribution equipment, lighting, domestic services, alarm, motor/rotating equipment, pumping equipment, entertainment equipment, instrument systems, positioning systems, autopilot systems, communication systems and radar systems.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the installation of the electrical/electronic equipment and to report any problems with the installation activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with either a high level of supervision or as a member of a team. You will take personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out. Where team working is involved you must demonstrate a significant personal contribution during the team activities in order to satisfy the requirements of the standard and competency in all the areas required by the standard must be demonstrated.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to applying the appropriate electrical/electronic installation techniques and procedures in yachts or boats. You will have an understanding of the basic knowledge behind the equipment being installed and its application and will know about the installation equipment and fastening devices, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the installation of the yacht or boat electrical equipment, especially those for ensuring any power supplies are correctly isolated.. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the work area, both ashore and afloat.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
| 1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines 2. follow all relevant drawings and specifications for the installation being carried out 3. use the correct tools and equipment for the installation operations and check that they are in a safe and usable condition 4. assist in the installation, positioning and securing of the equipment and components in accordance with the specification 5. ensure that all necessary connections to the equipment are complete 6. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved 7. complete relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements 8. check that the installation is complete and that all components are free from damage |
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when assisting in the installation and termination of electrical/electronic equipment in yachts or boats (including any specific legislation, regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- the hazards associated with the installation of electrical equipment in yachts and boats and with the tools and equipment used and how they can be minimised
- how to recognise and deal with emergencies and the procedures to be followed (such as methods of safely evacuating and closing down compartments in the case of fire or other major incident)
- the protective equipment that you need to use for both personal protection (PPE) and protection of the vessel/craft
- the precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to circuits and sensitive components (such as use of earthed wrist straps)
- what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
- how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers)
- how to obtain the necessary job instructions required for the work being carried out
- the equipment and components to be installed and their function within the particular system
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation (including threaded fasteners, special securing and locking devices)
- why some securing devices need to be locked and the different methods that are used
- the importance of using the specified electrical terminations, connections and fasteners for the particular installation process and why you must not substitute others
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the electrical/electronic installation operations
- the procedures for ensuring that you have the correct tools, equipment, electrical components and fasteners for the activities
- the techniques used to position, align, adjust and secure the electrical equipment, components and circuitry to the vessel/compartment structure without damage
- methods of lifting, handling and supporting the components/equipment during the installation activities
- the use of seals, sealants, adhesives and anti-electrolysis barriers and the precautions that need to be taken
- why unit electrical bonding/earth prevention and continuity is critical and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- what checks need to be carried out to ensure the equipment and system integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality of the installation (such as visual checks for signs of damage, movement checks for security of connections and fastenings, functional checks of the equipment)
- the importance of ensuring that the completed installation is to the category of cleanliness prescribed and any exposed components are correctly covered/protected
- the tools and equipment used in the electrical installation activities and their calibration/care and control procedures
- why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the installation of the yacht or boat electrical/electronic equipment:
- ensure you have the necessary information to assist with the installation activities (such as job instructions or drawings)
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
- maintain safe access and working arrangements for the work area
- carry out the installation activities using appropriate techniques and procedures
- produce installations which comply with the specification
- return all tools, and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
- leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition
Assist in the installation and termination of four of the following types of yacht or boat electrical/electronic equipment:
- power supply equipment (such as, batteries, generators, alternators, wind and solar)
- power distribution panel
- lighting (such as cabin lighting, navigation lighting, cockpit and deck lighting)
- services/domestic equipment (such as heating, cooking, air conditioning and refrigeration systems)
- alarm equipment (such as flood and liquid level detection, security/intruder detection, gas and fire detection)
- motor/rotating equipment (such as bow thrusters, anchor windlasses, trim tabs winches and hoists)
- pumping equipment (such as freshwater systems, bilge pumping systems, sanitary systems)
- entertainment equipment (such as sound systems, video entertainment systems)
- communications equipment (such as very high frequency (VHF) radio, SSB, satellite communications (SATCOM), Navtex, weather fax, on-board entertainment systems, intercom)
- positioning equipment (such as chart plotter, global positioning system (GPS), long range navigation, compass, gyro)
- instrumentation (such as speed, depth, wind, velocity made good)
- autopilot equipment
- sensor equipment (such as RADAR)
- personal computer systems including Wi-Fi
Install yacht or boat electrical/electronic equipment to include carrying out all of the following:
- determining the correct/appropriate position for the equipment
- positioning and securing the equipment using the specified or appropriate fastening devices
- checking correct level and alignment
- terminating the equipment using the correct devices
Make five of the following types of electrical/electronic connection:
- junction boxes
- free plugs and sockets
- crimp connectors
- power cables
- multi pin plugs and sockets
- cable glands
- multicore cables
- terminal blocks
- earth bonding points
- deck plugs and sockets
- free plugs
- solder connectors
- co-axial connections
- data cables
- other specific connection
Carry out all of the following on the installed electrical/electronic equipment:
- visual checks (such as completeness of installation, signs of damage, incorrect termination)
- movement checks (such as loose fittings and connections)
- assist in testing that the equipment operates to the circuit specification
Assist in installing yacht or boat electrical/electronic equipment which complies with one of the following:
- BS, EN or ISO standards and procedures
- customer (contractual) standards and requirements
- company standards and procedures
- specific equipment requirements/manufacturer's data
- wiring Regulations (current edition)
- recognised compliance agency/body's standards (such as Lloyds, Boat Safety Scheme, BMEA Code)
- other accepted international standards
Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one from the following and pass to the appropriate people:
- job cards
- installation records
- system log
- vessel/craft wiring documentation
- other specific recording method
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment