This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with others involved in mooring and unmooring activities.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry as a Linesperson.

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 

Prepare to communicate with others  

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures are followed

1.2

Prior to mooring or unmooring activities, all radios and other communications equipment is checked to confirm they are functioning correctly

1.3

Batteries are checked to confirm they are operational and fully charged

1.4

Relevant documentation and records are identified and accessed as required

1.5

Radios are set to operate on channels required for mooring and unmooring

1.6

Faulty communications equipment is reported, rectified or replaced

2 

Communicate with others 

2.1

Correct communication is maintained with others involved in mooring and unmooring activities, throughout mooring and unmooring activities

2.2

Clear and concise verbal and non-verbal communication is used and appropriate action is taken to confirm others have correctly heard and interpreted the communication

2.3

VHF radio communication is conducted using required procedures and protocols

2.4

Appropriate methods are used to communicate with foreign crews on vessels

2.5

Safety concerns are promptly and clearly communicated to pilot prior to and during, mooring and unmooring activities

2.6

Due care is taken when using radio communication equipment, so as not to interfere with operational communication between tug crews and pilot of vessel

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

Safety procedures include:

• checking:

• own personal fitness and medical wellbeing
• whereabouts of edge of wharf
• whereabouts of other members of mooring/unmooring team

• confirming availability of a personal flotation device on arrival at mooring operation
• keeping clear of snapback zone and demarcated areas
• keeping work area hazard-free
• obtaining and using required personal protective equipment (such as safety footwear, safety helmet, suitable gloves, safety vest and reflective clothing, personal life vest, safety glasses)
• removing rings from fingers to avoid them being caught on steel wire ropes

Relevant documentation and records include one or more of the following:

• maritime authority instructions
• mooring and unmooring plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
• relevant sections of maritime regulations concerning mooring and unmooring operations
• reports and records of mooring operations or safety incidents
• rope and equipment manufacturer instructions and procedures
• safety instructions and procedures

Communication includes one or more of the following:

• oral communication with mooring supervisor or Master and other members of mooring or unmooring team
• radio between mooring supervisor (shore-side) and:

• pilot on vessel
• wharf mooring personnel (bow) forward
• wharf mooring personnel (stern) aft

• VHF radio between:

• tug crew and pilot on vessel
• tug crew and mooring launch crew
• mooring launch crew and pilot on vessel

• visual contact and hand signals

Others involved in mooring and unmooring activities include one or more of the following:

• lines launch driver
• mooring launch crew
• mooring master or supervisor
• mooring team
• pilot and crew on vessel being moored or unmoored and tug
• shorelines crew on wharf
• tug crew
• vessel crew

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

• applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices
• being aware of own ability and limits to rectify irregularities and faults
• checking functioning of radios and communications equipment
• communicating effectively with others when mooring and unmooring a vessel
• complying with relevant maritime regulations and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions and Codes, including relevant sections of Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders as they apply to mooring and unmooring operations on ocean-going vessels
• ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements
• following all orders carefully and systematically
• following work instructions
• identifying and correctly using various types of radios and other relevant communications equipment
• implementing port and vessel security procedures
• initiating timely action in response to defects or damage
• interpreting and following procedures for communicating with others during mooring and unmooring operations
• recognising and responding appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace
• recognising problems that may occur when communicating with others during mooring and unmooring operations and taking appropriate action to report and resolve these problems
• taking proper care of radios and communications equipment
• testing and recharging batteries used in radios and other communications equipment
• using hand held VHF radios correctly when communicating with ship’s crew, pilot and wharf supervisor.

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

• basic principles and procedures for marine VHF radio communication:

• by day or night
• in normal and emergency situations
• under any permissible conditions of weather
• at a range of shore-side terminals and wharves

• communications techniques and equipment required during mooring and unmooring operations, including protocols for radio use
• correct use of handheld VHF radio
• factors that affect communication during mooring and unmooring operations, such as effects of noise, faulty equipment, discharged batteries, wind, weather
• maritime regulations applicable to communication during mooring and unmooring of vessels
• methods of visual contact and hand signals
• operational characteristics of different types of radios and other forms of communications equipment used in mooring and unmooring operations
• practices and procedures for communicating with others during mooring and unmooring operations
• purpose of silence periods when operating radio equipment
• radio calling and replying procedures
• relevant manufacturer instructions relating to use of radios and other communications equipment
• relevant maritime and radio communications regulations
• relevant port and vessel security procedures, including operating radio communications channel instructions
• relevant WHS/OHS codes of practice, policies and procedures.

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 must occur in workplace operational situations or where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations or an industry-approved marine operations site that replicate workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
• relevant documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• tools, equipment, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.