Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to use a trailer to launch and recover a motor driven vessel in an estuary or seaway.

It requires the ability to operate equipment to launch and recover a vessel and the ability to understand safety and pre-launch requirements.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some jurisdictions (e.g. boat licence requirements for each state and territory). Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authority.

This unit replaces AURR346335A Launch and recover vessel from trailer.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to marine mechanics who undertake the launching and recovering of a vessel in an estuary or seaway using a trailer so as to water test the vessel to confirm that repairs have been successfully undertaken.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for vessel launch

1.1. Read and interpret job requirements and specifications

1.2. Locate occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including personal protection needs

1.3. Collect tools and equipment and check for their safe and effective operation

1.4. Outline procedures to minimise task time

1.5. Check weather, tidal and launch site for safe launching conditions

2. Conduct pre-launch safety inspection

2.1. Audit vessel safety equipment

2.2. Inspect systems and components for seaworthiness and conformity to manufacturer and component supplier specifications and regulations to ensure vessel safety

2.3. Check vessel for safety using testing equipment, as appropriate

2.4. Repair systems and components that fail the safety inspection in accordance with manufacturer and component supplier specifications and site procedures

3. Launch vessel

3.1. Manoeuvre appropriate vehicle to position trailer in suitable depth of water on launch way

3.2. Secure trailer as required by state and territory regulations

3.3. Operate tilting and winch mechanisms and remove safety chain and winch strap from vessel

3.4. Tether vessel to trailer using suitable rope and knots

3.5. Move vessel from launch way to a safe area in the water

3.6. Park vehicle and trailer in suitable area

4. Recover vessel

4.1. Manoeuvre vehicle to position trailer in suitable depth of water on launch way

4.2. Remove detachable trailer fixtures and fit trailer retrieval guide poles

4.3. Manoeuvre vessel into recovery area and align with trailer guides and rollers

4.4. Tether vessel to trailer using suitable rope and knots

4.5. Operate tilting and winch mechanisms and attach safety chain and winch strap to vessel

4.6. Secure vessel and trailer safely

4.7. Recover vessel according to OHS and environmental legislation, manufacturer specifications, industry regulations, and enterprise policies and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• technical skills to the level required to use a trailer winch and tilt mechanism, launch and recover a vessel, and use safety inspection tools and computerised equipment
• communication skills to the level required to communicate effectively regarding work requirements, to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities, and to read and understand vessel specifications and operation
• literacy skills to the level required to locate and understand information related to work orders and OHS and organisational policies and procedures related to launching and recovering a vessel using a trailer
• numeracy skills to the level required to read weather charts and to complete tests and measurements to determine vessel seaworthiness
• problem-solving skills to the level required to identify technical and procedural problems related to launching and recovering a vessel using a trailer
• team skills to the level required to work effectively and cooperatively with others to optimise workflow and productivity
• planning skills to the level required to use pre-checking and seaworthiness inspection techniques to anticipate problems and avoid wastage of time and material

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• tare weight, gross vehicle mass and aggregate trailer mass regulations related to trailer weights on single, dual and tri axle trailers
• inspection requirements and standards for safety equipment, hull and fittings
• daily maintenance requirements for vessels
• manufacturer and/or component supplier specifications, including workshop manuals
• water depth required for vessel flotation
• pre-launch inspection procedures
• equipment requirements and standards
• applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, including OHS, personal safety and environment, relevant to marine launch site and trailer winch and tilt mechanisms
• organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements, reporting and recording procedures, and work organisation and planning processes, related to marine operations

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

• observe safety procedures and requirements
• communicate effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
• select methods and techniques which are appropriate to the circumstances
• complete preparation for launch in a systematic manner
• inspect a vessel for safe operation in an estuary or seaway
• follow legislative, state and territory regulations and organisational requirements
• launch a range of vessels using a trailer
• recover a range of vessels vessel using a trailer.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

• The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that reflects as far as possible the actual working environment.
• Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
• Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including specified Australian standards.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• The following resources should be made available:

• appropriate vessels
• trailer
• equipment and tools appropriate to checking, launching and recovering vessel
• technical specifications.

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of Required Skills and Knowledge.
• Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on Required Skills and Knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
• Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally sensitive and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Inspecting seaworthiness of vessel 

Inspecting seaworthiness of vessel may include:

• checking safety equipment and fitment
• checking currency and accessibility of vessel safety equipment
• checking vessel hull and fittings for safety and journey suitability
• checking fuel and battery
• ensuring fresh water is onboard
• checking other resources
• inspecting hull for secured watertight mechanisms (e.g. seacocks, drain plugs and watertight flotation chambers)

Conditions 

Conditions may include:

• coastal
• estuary
• day and night
• salt and fresh water
• tides and currents
• varying water depths
• climatic conditions
• launch site (e.g. beach launch and boat ramp surfaces)

Vessels 

Vessels may include:

• vessels up to 10 metres in length with a maximum beam of 2.5 metres
• single or multi-hulled
• flat bottomed
• planing and displacement hulls

Safe operating procedures 

Safe operating procedures may include operational risk assessments associated with marine licence requirements and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS), and include:

• rope, chain and steel cable dangers
• vessel and dockside flammable materials
• fire prevention
• rope, chain and steel cable dangers
• vessel and dockside flammable materials
• toxic substances
• electrical safety
• machinery movement and operation
• manual and mechanical lifting and shifting
• working in proximity to others

Tooling and equipment 

Tooling and equipment may include:

• communication equipment (e.g. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB))
• suitable ropes, chains, shackles and tie-downs
• general hand tools and lubricants
• specialist hand tools (e.g. electric winch harness and remote, winch handles and leather gloves)
• tow vehicle suitable for the task

Information /documents 

Information/documents may include:

• vessel manufacturer and/or component supplier specifications (operational), seaworthiness vessel and equipment checklist and vessel operational checklist
• safe work procedures related to the driving and manoeuvring of motorised vessel
• regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to marine craft
• engineer's design specifications and instructions
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external personnel
• Australian standards
• industry standards (e.g. American Boat and Yacht Council, National Marine, Manufacturer's Association and US Coast Guard)

Legislative requirements 

Legislative requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice, and may include:

• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS)
• award and enterprise agreements
• tare weight, gross vehicle mass and aggregate trailer mass (ATM) regulations
• industrial relations
• Australian standards
• Australian Design Rules
• confidentiality and privacy
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• anti-discrimination
• duty of care

OHS requirements 

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing
• safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• hazard and risk control
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
• emergency procedures

Environmental requirements 

Environmental requirements may include:

• waste management
• noise
• dust
• clean-up management

Organisational policies and procedures 

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

• quality policies and procedures, including Australian standards
• OHS, sustainability environment, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination
• manufacturer specifications and industry codes of practice
• safe work procedures
• reporting and recording procedures

Unit sector 

Marine

Co-requisite units 

Competency field