Installing marine communication equipment and systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install marine communication equipment and systems, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to use appropriate installation drawings and specifications to install the various items of equipment. You will be expected to position, align and secure equipment in its correct locations, using the specified/appropriate techniques and fastening devices. The communication equipment to be installed will include intercom (clear), intercom (secure), medium/high frequency (MF/HF) radio, very high frequency (VHF) radio, ultra high frequency (UHF) radio, voice recorder, satellite position indicators, digital data links, secure radio links, inboard entertainment systems, satellite communications (SATCOM), selective calling (SELCAL) and Rationalised Integrated Communication Equipment (RICE).
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the installation activities undertaken and to report any problems with the installation activities, components or equipment that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying marine communication installation techniques and procedures. You will understand the communication systems being installed and their application and will know about the installation, techniques, tools and methods, 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 operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow all relevant drawings and specifications for the installation being carried out
- use the correct tools and equipment for the installation operations and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
install, position and secure the equipment and components in accordance with the specification, using appropriate methods and techniques
ensure that all necessary connections to the equipment are complete
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- check that the installation is complete and that all components are free from damage
- complete relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when working with marine communication systems (including any specific legislation, regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the activities and the responsibility these requirements place on you
the hazards associated with installing marine communication systems 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 of compartments in the case of fire or other major incident, first aid, fire fighting and resuscitation of personnel)
- the protective equipment that you need to use for both personal protection (PPE) and protection of the compartment/system
- 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)
the interpretation of drawings, standards, quality control procedures and specifications used for the installation (including BS and IS schematics, symbols and terminology)
how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
the components to be installed and their function within the particular communication system
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation
- the importance of using the specified fasteners for the particular installation and why you must not substitute others
- why securing devices need to be locked and labelled and the different methods that are used
- the torque loading requirements on the fasteners and what to do if these loadings are exceeded or not achieved
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the installation operations
- the procedures for ensuring that you have the correct tools, equipment, components and fasteners for the activities
- the techniques used to position, align, adjust and secure the communication equipment components to the compartment/structure
- 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 electrical bonding is critical and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the system integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality of the installation
- how to recognise installation defects (such as poor seals, misalignment, ineffective fasteners or terminations, damage or contamination)
- the importance of ensuring that the completed installation is to the category of cleanliness prescribed and of ensuring that any exposed components or cables are correctly covered/protected and tallied
- the tools and equipment used in the 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 problems that can occur with the installation operations and how these can be overcome
- the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials
- the recording documentation to be completed for the activities undertaken and, where appropriate, the importance of marking and identifying specific pieces of work in relation to the documentation
- 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 communication systems:
- use the correct issue of vessel/craft/structure installation drawings and technical documentation
- use copies of relevant COSHH sheets, risk assessment and marine engineering standards
- check the calibration dates of tools to be used
- obtain clearance to work on the equipment and observe the power isolation and safety procedures
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
- leave the work area in a safe condition and to the prescribed category of cleanliness
Install marine communication systems, which include both of the following:
- VHF radio
- intercom (clear)
Plus four more items from the following:
3. secure radio links
4. voice recorder
5. satellite position indicators
6. SELCAL
7. MF/HF radio
8. SATCOM
9. inboard entertainment systems
10. inboard monitoring systems (such as CCTV)
11. telecommunications
12. UHF radio
13. digital data links
14. intercom (secure speech)
15. RICE
Install all of the following marine communication system components:
- aerials
- unit trays
- control units
- receiver units
- transmitter units
- intercom station boxes
- satellite beacons
- telephone exchanges
- indicator units
- interface networking units
Use all of the following installation methods and techniques:
- levelling and aligning
- earth bonding
- taking electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions
- securing and locking
- screening
Use three of the following types of mechanical securing connections:
- threaded fasteners
- locking devices
- screws
- torque loaded bolts
- quick release fasteners
Make five of the following types of electrical connection:
- co-axial
- overall screened
- terminal blocks
- tray-mounted sockets
- tri-axial
- module blocks
- free plugs and sockets
- earth bonding points
- multicore cables
- fibre-optics
- multi-pin plugs/sockets
Produce installations which comply with one of the following standards:
- BS or ISO standards and procedures
- company standards and procedures
- specific system requirements
- customer (contractual) standards and requirements
- IET Regulations (current issue)
- recognised compliance agency/body's standards
- other accepted international standards
Complete the relevant documentation, to include one from the following and pass it to the appropriate people:
- installation records
- system log
- job cards
- work authorisation documents
- acceptance documentation
- other specific recording method
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
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