Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Interpret information from a weather map.

1.1. Identify characteristics of map types  and their different uses.

1.2. Identify differences between general forecasts and forecasts for marine environments.

1.3. Identify weather map symbols  and associated weather conditions .

1.4. Outline and justify a weather prediction over a multi-day period for a specific marine region using information  gained from weather maps and forecasts.

2. Collect, record and interpret weather conditions in a specific marine region.

2.1. Identify major cloud types  and altitude level.

2.2. Collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals for a specific area over a multi-day period.

2.3. Record weather data  and identify patterns .

2.4. Compare and identify the differences between current weather conditions and a current weather forecast.

2.5. Determine the possible effects of landforms  on marine weather conditions.

2.6. Identify and explain season variations in weather patterns for a specific marine area.

2.7. Outline differences between large scale and localised weather conditions for a specific marine area.

3. Interpret weather and environmental information for aquatic activities at a specific marine location.

3.1. Determine the suitability and limitations  of the activity in relation to the current local weather conditions and forecast.

3.2. Identify strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and or group in weather conditions according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

3.3. Identify the weather conditions commonly associated with the onset of life threatening weather hazards in a marine environment .

3.4. Identify characteristics of life threatening weather hazards in a marine environment and their possible impact on recreational marine activities .

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

Required skills 

• planning and organising skills to:

• collect weather and environmental information at regular intervals
• record and interpret weather and environmental information
• justify suitability and safety of an activity area

• problem-solving skills to:

• determine the impact of meteorological data on planned activities
• predict and anticipate weather for a specific marine environment
• compare the differences between various weather attributes

• literacy and numeracy skills to:

• interpret and analyse weather and environment information
• record weather data patterns.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of weather interpretation activities
• map types and symbols to predict weather for a specific marine area
• differences between general and marine forecasts to anticipate additional hazards and risks
• methods of predicting and forecasting weather to determine its impact on recreational marine activities
• influence of cloud types, local air masses, seasons, topography and landforms on the weather and the implications of these on marine activities
• methods of recording weather data to identify patterns and apply this information to plan safe marine activities
• life threatening marine weather hazards and their possible impact on recreational marine activities
• factors affecting global, regional and local climatic conditions and the impact of these on marine activities.

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 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• makes weather predictions for a marine area using weather maps and forecasts, and identifies the difference between general and marine forecasts
• assesses the short and long term implications of meteorological data on a specific marine activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure interpretation of weather signs in a variety of weather conditions in marine locations on multiple occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• meteorological data to read and interpret
• a marine activity environment in which to conduct weather interpretation activities.

Method of assessment 

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

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the impact of meteorological data on planned activities
• observation of interpreting weather for a specific marine environment using information gained from weather maps, predictions and forecasts
• portfolio of weather predictions covering five day periods
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

• Activity-specific units relevant to participation in aquatic outdoor recreation activities such as sea kayaking, surfing, personal water craft riding and SCUBA diving.

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. 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.

Map types  may include:

• prognosis maps
• analysis maps.

Symbols  may include:

• cyclones
• anti-cyclones
• depressions
• highs
• troughs
• ridges
• frontal bands
• isobars.

Conditions  may include:

• cloud cover
• wind direction, speed and strength
• barometric pressure
• precipitation type and intensity
• wave direction and size
• sunshine trends and duration
• temperature range and intensity
• humidity trends.

Information  may include:

• cloud cover
• wind direction and speed
• barometric pressure
• precipitation type and intensity
• wave size and form.

Cloud types  may include:

• cirrus
• stratus
• cumulus
• nimbus.

Data  may include:

• cloud cover
• wind direction and speed
• barometric pressure
• precipitation type and intensity
• wave size and form.

Patterns  may include:

• wind direction and speed
• precipitation form and distribution
• sunshine trends and duration
• temperature range and intensity
• humidity trends
• anticyclones
• depressions.

Landforms  may include:

• mountain ranges
• large bodies of water
• valleys
• coastlines
• islands.

Limitations  may include:

• duration of the activity
• intensity of activity
• exposure to prevailing conditions
• proximity to land and or sheltered water
• ability of individual and or group
• type of craft and or activity.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• risk management
• minimal impact environmental codes
• code of ethics.

Weather hazards in a marine environment  may include:

• floods
• cyclones
• tidal waves
• electrical storms
• offshore winds, tides, currents.

Marine activities  may include:

• sea kayaking
• surfing
• surf kayaking
• wind surfing
• sailing
• SCUBA diving
• snorkelling
• personal water craft riding
• coastal land travel.