Back

Installing electronic equipment into yachts and boats

URN: SEMME3204
Business Sectors (Suites): Marine Engineering Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 31 Mar 2019

Overview

This standard identifies the competences you need to install electronic equipment into yachts or boats, in accordance with approved procedures.  You will be required to use appropriate installation drawings and specifications to install and connect up the various items of electronic equipment. You will be expected to position, align and secure the equipment in its correct locations, using the specified/appropriate techniques and fastening devices. The installation activities will cover a broad range of electronic equipment such as 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 electronic 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 appropriate installation techniques and procedures to yacht or boat electronic equipment. You will understand the electronic equipment being installed and its 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 electronic equipment 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:

  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. install, position and secure 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. check that the installation is complete and that all components are free from damage
  8. 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 installing and terminating electronic equipment in yachts or boats (including any specific legislation, regulations/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 these requirements place on you
  3. 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)
  4. the hazards associated with installing electronic equipment into yachts or boats and how they can be minimised

  5. the protective equipment that you need to use for both personal protection (PPE) and protection of the electronic equipment and the vessel/craft

  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 interpretation of drawings, standards, quality control procedures and specifications used for the installation (including BS and IS schematics, symbols and terminology)

  10. how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
  11. the electronic equipment to be installed and its function within the particular electronic system
  12. the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation
  13. why some securing devices need to be locked and the different methods that are used
  14. the importance of using the specified electrical terminations, connections and fasteners for the particular installation process and why you must not substitute others
  15. the quality control procedures to be followed during the installation operations
  16. the procedures for ensuring that you have the correct tools, electronic equipment and fasteners for the activities 
  17. the techniques used to position, align, adjust and secure the electronic equipment to the compartment/structure 
  18. methods of lifting, handling and supporting the components/equipment during the installation activities
  19. the use of seals, sealants, adhesives and anti-electrolysis barriers and the precautions that need to be taken
  20. why electrical bonding is carried out and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
  21. how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the system integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality of the installation (such as continuity, polarity, power output, distortion checks, signal to noise checks, frequency and receiver sensitivity)
  22. the various fault-finding techniques that can be used if the equipment fails the checks/tests
  23. how to recognise installation defects (such as poor seals, misalignment, ineffective fasteners or terminations, damage or contamination)
  24. the tools, equipment and measuring devices used in the installation activities and their calibration/care and control procedures
  25. the problems that can occur with the installation operations and how these can be overcome
  26. the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials
  27. the recording documentation to be completed for the activities undertaken
  28. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

Scope Performance

1. Carry out all of the following during the installation of the yacht or boat electronic equipment:  
1.1. use the correct issue of vessel/craft installation drawings and technical documentation
1.2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations 
1.3. check the calibration dates of instruments and tools to be used
1.4. obtain clearance to work on the equipment and observe the relevant power isolation and safety procedures
1.5. return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the activities
1.6. leave the work area in a safe condition and to the prescribed category of cleanliness 

2. Install yacht or boat electronic equipment, which include three of the following: 
2.1. communications systems (such as very high frequency (VHF) radio, SSB, satellite communications (SATCOM), Navtex, weather fax, on-board entertainment systems, intercom)
2.2. positioning systems (such as chart plotter, global positioning system (GPS), long range navigation, compass, gyro)
2.3. instrument systems (such as speed, depth, wind, velocity made good)
2.4. autopilot systems
2.5. sensor systems (such as RADAR)

3. Install five of the following yacht or boat electronic system components:
3.1. aerials
3.2. radar scanners
3.3. mast transducers
3.4. hull transducers
3.5. instrument heads
3.6. control units 
3.7. loudspeaker units
3.8. compass or gyro units
3.9. visual display units
3.10. other specific system component

4. Install yacht or boat electronic equipment to include carrying out all of the following:
4.1. determining the correct/appropriate position for the equipment
4.2. positioning and securing the equipment using the specified or appropriate fastening devices
4.3. checking correct level and alignment 
4.4. terminating the equipment using the correct devices

5. Make five of the following types of electrical connection:
5.1. co-axial
5.2. power cables
5.3. multicore cables
5.4. terminal blocks
5.5. crimp connectors
5.6. solder connectors
5.7. deck plugs and sockets
5.8. free plugs and sockets
5.9. multi-pin plugs/sockets
5.10. junction boxes
5.11. earth bonding points
5.12. data cables

6. Carry out all of the following checks and tests on the installed electrical equipment:
6.1. visual checks (such as completeness of installation, signs of damage, incorrect termination)
6.2. movement checks (such as loose fittings and connections)
6.3. testing that the equipment operates to the circuit specification

      plus four more from the following:
6.4. continuity checks  
6.5. earth bonding tests
6.6. power output 
6.7. distortion checks  
6.8. signal-to-noise checks 
6.9. frequency checks
6.10. receiver sensitivity 
6.11. voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) checks
6.12. other specific test

7. Deal with both of the following during the electronic equipment installation activities:
7.1. equipment with no faults
7.2. equipment with faults


8. Install yacht or boat electronic equipment which complies with one of the following: 
8.1. BS or ISO standards and procedures
8.2. customer (contractual) standards and requirements
8.3. company standards and procedures
8.4. specific equipment requirements/manufacturer’s data 
8.5. recognised compliance agency/body’s standards (such as Lloyds, Boat Safety Scheme, BMEA Code)
8.6. other accepted international standards

9. Complete the relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures, to include one from the following and pass it to the appropriate people:
9.1. installation records
9.2. acceptance documentation 
9.3. work authorisation documents
9.4. system log 
9.5. job cards 
9.6. 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

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

29 Apr 2021

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Semta

Original URN

SEMME3204

Relevant Occupations

Marine Engineering Trades

SOC Code

5235

Keywords

Engineering; marine; yacht; boat; electrical; electronic; installation; navigation; communication; VHF; SSB; satellite; Navtex; GPS; LORAN; RADAR