Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the MAR Maritime Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage the loading, stowage, securing and care of cargo during the voyage and the unloading of cargo, according to the cargo plan, organisational procedures and vessel stowage limitations.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

• Master of a commercial vessel less than 80 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
• Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)
• Watchkeeper Deck.

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

• Regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.

Near Coastal Qualifications:

• This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Master less than 80 metres Near Coastal as defined in the Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency - National Law) 2013.

Blue Waters Qualifications:

• This unit is one of the requirements to obtain AMSA certification as a Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) or Watchkeeper Deck and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Not applicable.

A – Handling Cargo and Vessel Stability

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Develop cargo plan 

1.1 

Cargo plan is developed to determine required cargo operations

1.2 

Characteristics of cargo being transported are identified and the type, severity and impact of the hazard posed by cargo on safety, the environment, vessel operations and personnel are established

1.3 

Cargo plan is evaluated to ensure regulations relating to hazardous materials/dangerous goods are observed

1.4 

Cargo plan is assessed to ensure incompatible cargo stowage is avoided

1.5 

Cargo plan is checked to ensure unloading sequence is effective

2 

Prepare for loading 

2.1 

Holds are checked to ensure they are clean, dry and free of odour

2.2 

Safety arrangements are verified to ensure they are operational

2.3 

Supplies of cargo protection and securing material are reviewed to ensure there are sufficient available

2.4 

Bilge suctions are protected before loading

2.5 

Checks are made to ensure cargo is correctly identified, inspected and confirmed against documentation

2.6 

Preparations for loading are monitored according to stowage plan and organisational procedures

2.7 

Ballast discharge plan is identified and confirmed and appropriate actions to support this plan are undertaken

3 

Supervise loading/unloading of cargo 

3.1 

Instructions are given to crew and stevedores involved in cargo loading/unloading according to cargo stowage plan

3.2 

Compliance with regulations, procedures and instructions pertaining to type of cargo being handled is managed during loading/unloading operations

3.3 

Loading/unloading is monitored to ensure loading rate is not exceeded

3.4 

Vessel stability is observed during loading/unloading operations

3.5 

Loading/unloading operations are checked against cargo plan

3.6 

Cargo is secured according to cargo plan

3.7 

Cargo handling documentation is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

3.8 

Transfer of cargo is monitored to prevent hazards

3.9 

Gas monitoring equipment is regularly inspected and used according to organisational procedures, as required

4 

Monitor care of cargo during voyage 

4.1 

Plan for care of cargo during voyage is implemented according to organisational and customer requirements, and relevant regulations

4.2 

Ventilation and humidity control systems are checked

4.3 

Actions required to maintain the safety and security of cargo during the voyage are initiated according to customer requirements and organisational procedures

4.4 

Compliance with safety and hazard minimisation procedures and regulations related to cargo care is managed at all times during the voyage to maintain the safety of personnel, cargo and vessel

4.5 

Safety procedures are followed, and appropriate action is taken when defects or damage to cargo are detected

5 

Take precautions to prevent pollution of the environment 

5.1 

Procedures to prevent pollution are identified and observed at all times

5.2 

Measures to prevent pollution during normal and emergency situations are applied according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

5.3 

All relevant information is immediately reported to appropriate persons when a vapour leak or cloud is detected or a malfunction has occurred that poses a risk of a vapour leak or cloud

5.4 

Shore-based response personnel are promptly notified when a vapour leak or cloud occurs

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

This unit replaces and is equivalent to MARA010 Manage loading, unloading and stowage of cargo

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the MAR Maritime Training Package.

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 actions required to maintain the wellbeing of cargo
• applying international regulations, codes and standards concerning the safe handling, stowage, securing and transport of bulk cargo and dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargo
• applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices
• carrying out cargo operations according to cargo plan or other documents and established safety rule/regulations, equipment operating instructions and shipboard stowage limitations, including identifying incompatible cargo stowage
• establishing and maintaining effective communications during loading, stowage, transportation and unloading
• identifying defects or damage to cargo and initiating timely action in response to defects or damage
• identifying relevant cargo handling documentation
• interpreting and applying knowledge of bulk ship, including bulk grain, chemical and oil tanker, and liquefied gas tanker layouts, cargo features, characteristics and hazards, and related hazard prevention strategies to duties on various types of vessel
• monitoring and anticipating problems and risks associated with loading, unloading, stowage and care of cargo
• monitoring use of equipment in loading, unloading, stowage and care of cargo
• reading and interpreting safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS), relevant cargo-related hazards to vessel and to personnel, and taking appropriate action according to organisational procedures
• reading, interpreting and applying instructions, regulations, procedures and information associated with loading, unloading, stowage and care of cargo
• recognising problems and hazards that can arise when managing safety on a liquefied gas tanker, taking appropriate remedial action and initiating appropriate solutions.

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:

• ballast management issues and procedures
• bulk ships, including bulk grain, chemical and oil tanker layouts, liquefied gas tanker layouts, cargo features and characteristics
• cargo calculations
• cargo care, including:

• inspection and preparation of holds
• refrigerated cargo
• segregation and separation of cargo
• ventilation and control

• cargo handling documentation
• cargo handling equipment and safety
• cargo lifting equipment and safe working loads
• cargo plans, including:

• cargo weight
• correct description and stowage of hazardous and dangerous goods
• description of cargo to be loaded
• load/discharge port
• segregation of non-compatible cargo
• stowage of refrigerated containers

• cargo hazards, including obstructing view from navigating bridge or overside at the bow defects or damage to cargo, including:

• damage caused by cargo movement
• deterioration of perishable cargo
• water ingress

• effect of cargo, including heavy lifts and deck cargo on the seaworthiness, draught, trim and stability of the vessel
• effects of a concentrated load which can be spread over a wider area by the use of dunnage and deck shoring taking into consideration the position of girders, transverses and longitudinals under the tank top
• effects of different types of cargo operations on vessel trim and stability
• effects on cargo handling of sea conditions, wind and weather
• effects on stability and draught during loading and discharging operations, including heeling moments from gear and loads
• fundamental understanding of:

• cargo operations for oil, chemical and liquefied gas tankers, including cargo preparation and carriage
• physical properties of oil, chemical and liquefied gases
• types of oil, chemical and liquefied gas tankers, general arrangement and construction

• hazardous materials/dangerous goods classification, signage, stowage and segregation requirements under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and relevant Marine Orders
• hazards and control measures associated with bulk ships, including bulk grain, chemical and oil tanker cargo loading, and liquefied gas tanker cargo loading, stowage and unloading
• incompatible cargo stowage, including:

• cargo liable to taint
• hazardous material/dangerous goods

• inspection and preparation of holds
• methods of caring for various types of cargo, including:

• blocking
• chocking
• lashing
• shoring
• tombing

• methods of stowage and securing of:

• heavy lifts
• heavy loads
• vehicles and trailers

• oil tanker piping and pumping arrangements, including:

• cargo piping systems
• cargo pumping systems
• cargo pumps
• tanker arrangement

• operational characteristics of different types of shipboard and terminal-based cargo handling equipment and facilities
• precautions before entering enclosed and contaminated spaces
• precautions to prevent pollution of the environment from the release of oil, chemicals and liquefied gases
• procedures for carrying out calculations involving weights, capacities and stowage factors
• relevant firefighting operations and the use of firefighting equipment
• relevant sections of maritime regulations, codes and conventions related to chemical and oil tankers, and liquefied gas tankers
• relevant WHS/OHS and cargo handling legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
• safe handling, stowage and securing of cargo, including dangerous goods, hazardous material and harmful cargo, and their effect on the safety of life and the vessel
• standard stowage position numbering systems used on container vessels
• typical cargo handling problems and hazards, and appropriate preventative and remedial actions and solutions
• typical types and sizes of shipping containers
• usual methods of container packing, loading and discharging, stowage and dunnaging
• various types of cargo likely to be carried; their peculiar characteristics, liability to damage, decay or deterioration; their measurements, hazards and problems; and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
• ways of restricting vessel stress levels within permitted levels within permitted limits during loading/discharging cargo.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within 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.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals
• tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.