Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

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

1 

Respond to emergency 

1.1

Emergency situation  is correctly recognised

1.2

Muster and abandon vessel signals are activated according to organisational procedures

1.3

Prompt, accurate and clear information is given on raising alarm

1.4

Instructions are provided to crew and passengers to maximise chances of survival

1.5

Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is operated to transmit distress signal

1.6

Distress calls are made using radio equipment  on distress call frequency to communicate nature of emergency

2 

Launch survival craft and rescue boats 

2.1

Preparations for the launch of the survival craft or rescue boat  are made according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.2

Appropriate launch strategy is adopted following an assessment of the weather and sea conditions, and the nature of the emergency

2.3

Launching equipment is operated according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.4

Survival craft or rescue boat is launched smoothly according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.5

Pre-start checks are conducted on the engine of the survival craft or rescue boat

2.6

Survival craft or rescue boat engine is started according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

3 

Operate survival craft and rescue boats 

3.1

Orders are given to survivors to board the survival craft or rescue boat using appropriate means

3.2

Survival craft or rescue boat is cleared of the vessel and operated according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

3.3

Sea anchors and drogues are used to assist in remaining within the vicinity of the abandoned vessel and to minimise the effects of adverse weather and sea conditions

3.4

Exposure cover is deployed on an open lifeboat according to manufacturer instructions

4 

Operate lifesaving and survival equipment on board survival craft and rescue boats 

4.1

Location and accessibility of all lifesaving and survival equipment  is established

4.2

Survival equipment is checked and operated according to manufacturer instructions

4.3

Lifesaving equipment is correctly donned and used according to manufacturer instructions

5 

Assume responsibility for survival of crew and passengers 

5.1

Survivors are checked for signs of hypothermia or other injuries and first aid is applied where necessary

5.2

Water and food is rationed

5.3

Lookout for vessels and aircraft in the vicinity is maintained and distress signals are released on sighting

5.4

Instructions given by rescue personnel are followed to safely access rescue craft

5.5

Persons are disembarked from survival craft or rescue boat according to organisational procedures

5.6

Survival craft or rescue boat is recovered and checked for signs of damage

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

Required Skills: 

• Board a survival craft from the ship and water while wearing a life jacket

• Determine the type and extent of the emergency

• Don a life jacket

• Don and use an immersion suit

• Free a survival craft of obstructions

• Identify hypothermia and provide appropriate treatment

• Keep afloat without a life jacket

• Launch survival craft

• Operate location devices, including radio equipment

• Operate radio equipment

• Operate survival craft equipment

• Recognise and interpret muster signals

• Right an inverted life raft

• Right an inverted life raft while wearing a life jacket

• Safely jump from a height into water

• Stream a drogue or sea-anchor

• Swim while wearing a life jacket

• Take initial actions on boarding survival craft to enhance chance of survival

Required Knowledge: 

• Action to be taken in an emergency

• Characteristics of survival craft

• Emergency muster and abandon vessel signals

• Equipment found in survival craft, its function and the procedures for correct operation

• Equipment in survival craft

• First aid techniques

• Location of personal life-saving appliances

• Location of survival equipment on vessel

• Principles concerning survival including:

• value of training and drills
• personal protective clothing and equipment
• need to be ready for any emergency
• actions to be taken when called to survival craft stations
• actions to be taken when required to abandon ship
• actions to be taken when in the water
• actions to be taken when aboard a survival craft
• main dangers to survivors

• Procedures for abandoning vessel

• Relevant maritime regulations related to required survival equipment on a vessel

• Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and policies

• Standard safety symbols

• Steps to be taken after collision, grounding or other marine casualty and resulting hull damage

• Survival at sea techniques

• Techniques for using survival equipment

• Time required to make distress calls safely

• Types of emergency situations which may occur such as collision, fire, foundering

• Types of life-saving appliances normally carried on ships

• Use of distress signals and penalty for misuse

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

• identifying muster signals, and taking action that is appropriate to emergency and complies with established procedures
• timing and sequencing individual actions so they are appropriate to prevailing circumstance and conditions, and minimise potential dangers and threats to survival
• using method of boarding survival craft that is appropriate and avoids dangers to other survivors
• ensuring initial actions after leaving ship, and procedures and actions in the water minimise threats to survival.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• industry-approved marine operations site where surviving at sea in the event of vessel abandonment can be conducted
• tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
• range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
• appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment 

Practical assessment must occur in an:

• appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
• appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate surviving at sea in the event of vessel abandonment
• direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

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

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Emergency situations must include:

• Collision
• Fire
• Foundering

Radio equipment may include:

• EPIRB
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• HF
• Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs)
• VHF

Survival craft and rescue boats may include:

• Inflatable life raft
• Life boat
• Rescue boat

Lifesaving and survival equipment may include:

• EPIRBs
• Flares
• Life jackets
• Immersion suit
• Person overboard combination light and smoke float
• SARTs