Setting to work, testing and trialling marine communication equipment and systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to set to work, test and trial marine communication equipment, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to use appropriate drawings, specifications and test documentation to set up and test the various items of equipment. You will be expected to use the specified/appropriate techniques to carry out the setting-up and testing procedures in the correct sequence. The equipment to be set up and tested 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 setting-up and testing activities undertake, and to report any problems with the 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 setting-up and testing techniques and procedures to marine communication systems. You will understand the communication systems being set to work and tested and their application and will know about the testing techniques, test equipment and methods, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the system functions to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the setting-up and testing 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:
| 1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines 2. follow all relevant setting up and operating specifications for the products or assets being configured 3. follow the defined procedures and set up the equipment correctly ensuring that all operating parameters are achieved 4. set to work, test and trial marine communication equipment and systems using appropriate methods and techniques 5. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved 6. check that the configuration is complete and that the equipment operates to specification, using appropriate methods and techniques 7. complete relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures |
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
| 1. the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when carrying out the setting-up, testing and trialling activities on marine communication equipment (including any specific legislation, regulations and codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials) 2. the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the activities and the responsibility they place on you 3. the safety procedures that must be carried out before work is started on setting up the marine communication equipment 4. 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) 5. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the setting-up and testing activities 6. the precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to circuits and sensitive components (such as use of earthed wrist straps) 7. what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock 8. how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers) 9. the hazards associated with setting to work and testing marine communication systems and with the tools and test equipment that is used and how they can be minimised 10. how to obtain and interpret drawings, standards, quality control procedures and test specifications used in the setting to work process (including, for example, BS and ISO schematics, symbols and terminology) 11. how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with 12. the correct operating procedures of the system being set to work and tested 13. the components to be set to work and their function within the particular communication system 14. the adjustments/corrections/tuning required to bring the equipment/system to operational standard through full range parameters 15. the quality control procedures to be followed during the setting-to-work and testing operations 16. electrical bonding specifications and their importance 17. the types of test equipment to be used and their selection for particular types of tests 18. how to calibrate the test equipment to be used; or the organisational procedures for ensuring that the test equipment is maintained and correctly calibrated 19. how to connect the appropriate test equipment into the circuits/equipment (for the measurement of such items as continuity, signal noise, signal strength, distortion checks, power output and receiver sensitivity) 20. the various testing methods and procedures, as recommended in approved codes of practice and how to apply them to different operating conditions 21. how to recognise defects (such as under or over performance) 22. the various fault-finding techniques that can be used if the system fails the test 23. displaying/recording test results and the documentation to be used 24. how to interpret the test readings obtained and the significance of the readings gained 25. how to analyse the test results 26. the authorisation procedures for changes to test procedures 27. the importance of ensuring that test equipment is used only for its intended purpose and within its specified range and limits 28. potential problems or errors that could occur and which may affect the test results and how they can be avoided 29. the environmental control and company operating procedures relating to the testing activities 30. the documentation required and the procedures to be followed on completion of the tests 31. 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 setting-up and testing activities:
- use the correct issue of the agreed setting-up and testing procedures and quality documentation
- adhere to risk assessment, COSHH and other relevant safety standards
- check that all tools and test equipment are within calibration dates
- obtain clearance to work on the system and observe power isolation and safety procedures
- provide safe access and working arrangements for the testing area
- carry out the setting-up and testing activities using safe and approved techniques and procedures
- ensure that the testing equipment is operated within its specification range
- 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
Set to work and test 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. RICE
12. UHF radio
13. digital data links
14. intercom (secure speech)
15. telecommunications
Carry out adjustments and tests using a range of tools and equipment, to include seven of the following:
- `special-to-type' test equipment
- modulation analyser
- headset
- oscilloscope
- bonding tester
- RF signal generator
- multimeter
- wattmeter
- voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) equipment
- optical time-domain refractometer (OTDR) equipment
Use appropriate equipment to carry out all of the following types of test:
- bonding tests
- distortion checks
- signal-to-noise checks
- power output
- serviceability checks
- VSWR checks
- continuity checks
- receiver sensitivity
Carry out one of the following trials on the marine communication equipment/system:
- harbour acceptance trials
- sea acceptance trials
Deal with two of the following levels of complexity during the setting-up and testing activities:
- equipment with no faults
- equipment with faults
- equipment with intermittent faults
Use three of the following fault-finding techniques during the setting-up and testing activities:
- six point
- function testing
- injection and sampling
- half-split
- equipment self-diagnostics
- unit substitution
- input-to-output
- emergent problem sequence
Set to work marine communication equipment which complies with one of the following standards:
- BS or ISO standards and procedures
- customer (contractual) standards and requirements
- company standards and procedures
- specific equipment requirements/manufacturer's data
- recognised compliance agency/body's standards
- other accepted international standards
Complete relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures using one of the following:
- installation records
- system log
- acceptance documentation
- job cards
- 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