This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to contribute to a safe navigational watch on a vessel while under the direction of the officer in charge of the navigational watch.

This unit applies to an Integrated Rating or Able Seafarer-Deck who assists under the direction of the officer in charge of the navigational watch, in performing navigational watchkeeping duties.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Follow instructions to monitor vessel situation when moored or anchored 

1.1

Scheduled checks and inspections are conducted to comply with instructions

1.2

Appropriate action is taken in irregularities or abnormal conditions to maximise the safety and integrity of the vessel

1.3

Restrictions on access within the vessel are enforced according to Master instructions

1.4

VHF is monitored and information is communicated to the Master as required

1.5

Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch are followed

2 

Follow instructions to monitor vessel situation when at sea 

2.1

Responsibilities of a lookout are established

2.2

Proper lookout is maintained by sight and hearing at all times according to instructions

2.3

Lights, shapes and sound signals are correctly recognised and recorded

2.4

Approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object is reported in degrees or points, to the officer in charge of the navigational watch

2.5

Effective communication is maintained with the officer in charge of the navigational watch about matters relevant to the safety and integrity of the vessel

2.6

VHF is monitored and information is communicated to the officer in charge of the navigational watch as required

2.7

Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch are followed

3 

Respond to potential emergency situations 

3.1

Emergency situations are promptly reported to the officer in charge of the navigational watch

3.2

Distress signals are recognised and reported

3.3

False distress alerts are avoided and correct action is taken in an accidental activation

3.4

Integrity of emergency and distress alerting systems is maintained at all times

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Scheduled checks and inspections include one or more of the following:

• coverage
• frequency
• timing

Irregularities or abnormal conditions include one or more of the following:

• events affecting the safety and integrity of:

• crew
• equipment
• materials such as cargo
• vessel

Emergency situations include one or more of the following:

• cargo shift
• collision
• dragging anchor
• failure of vessel equipment and navigational lights
• fire, including engine room scavenge fires
• fog or restricted visibility
• heavy weather
• loss of:

• engine or propulsion controls
• watertight integrity
• mooring lines

• person overboard
• reception of distress signal
• stranding
• sudden list or loll
• synchronous rolling

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices
• communicating clearly and concisely and acknowledging orders in a seamanlike manner
• communicating effectively with the officer in charge of the navigational watch about matters relevant to watchkeeping duties
• conforming to accepted practices and procedures in the maintenance, handover and relief of the navigational watch
• conforming to established procedures and practices in taking initial action on becoming aware of an emergency or abnormal situation
• identifying and reporting lights, buoys and sound signals
• monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during watchkeeping duties
• monitoring vessel situation including:

• communicating with other vessels
• communicating with those onshore
• regularly checking weather reports and warnings

• monitoring VHF equipment
• recognising and reporting distress signals including:

• pyrotechnic distress signals
• search and rescue transponders (SARTs)
• satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

• recognising potential hazards, assessing and reporting risks to the officer in charge of the navigational watch
• reporting approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in degrees or points
• reporting other ships, objects lights and navigation marks correctly, in relation to the ship’s head
• responding to orders given by the officer in charge of the navigational watch
• seeking advice/clarification from the officer in charge of the navigational watch where watch information or instructions are not clearly understood
• using internal communications and alarm systems.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• basic environmental protection procedures as they apply on a vessel
• emergency situations and appropriate action and solutions taken to address them
• functions and purpose of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite EPIRBs and SARTs
• information required to maintain a safe navigational watch on a vessel
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch
• relevant WHS/OHS requirements, work practices and pollution control regulation and policies
• shipboard terms and definitions that are critical to a safe navigational watch
• types, function and purpose of navigational lights, shapes and sound signals.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

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

Assessment of navigational watchkeeping duties must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• relevant documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• tools, equipment and personal protective equipment that replicate and are currently used in industry including:

• EPIRBs
• firefighting equipment
• internal public address system
• pyrotechnic distress signals
• SARTs
• ship’s whistle
• VHF radio.