Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to predict meteorological conditions and apply them to ensure the safe navigation of a vessel. It includes interpreting and applying information obtained from observations, reports and instruments and forecasting weather for an intended inland waters passage using all available data. This unit applies to those working in the capacity of a Master on commercial vessels up to 24 m in length in inland waters.

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit. This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Master (Inland waters) as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D. The AMSA mandated practical assessment (AMPA) is a requirement for AMSA certification. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) mandated practical assessment (AMPA) will cover a range, but not all, of the requirements identified in the Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence. The AMPA shall be undertaken in accordance with its instructions.

Assessors of AMPA must hold as a minimum:

• a current certificate of competency issued under Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 at the same level as the qualification being assessed with at least 12 months’ relevant sea service, or
• a relevant seafarer certificate, as master or deck officer, issued under the Navigation Act 2012.

Not Applicable

H – Navigation

Not Applicable

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Obtain weather information 

1.1 

Relevant weather forecasts are obtained from a range of sources and correctly interpreted

1.2 

Weather conditions are observed and correctly interpreted according to established nautical and meteorological practice

1.3 

Basic measurements of meteorological conditions are correctly made and recorded using established procedures

1.4 

Relevant meteorological charts, publications and related documentation are obtained, used, updated, stored and maintained

2 

Apply weather data to safe navigation 

2.1 

Weather condition hazards relevant to a proposed voyage are identified using relevant forecasts based on interpretation of meteorological observations, reports and measurements

2.2 

Voyage is modified as required to take into account weather and water condition hazards according to established navigational practice and operational instructions

3 

Maintain records of weather and oceanographic information 

3.1 

Meteorological measurements, observations, reports and forecasts are recorded and stored according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

3.2 

Actions taken to maintain safety of navigation and to minimise risk to safety of vessel as a result of weather and oceanographic forecasts, are documented according to organisational procedures

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 MARH002 Apply weather information when navigating inland waters as Master.

Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

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:

• carrying out and interpreting weather observations
• completing required records and documentation
• reading, interpreting and applying weather information
• recognising problems that may occur when interpreting and applying weather information to navigation and taking appropriate action
• selecting and using relevant instruments and equipment to measure meteorological conditions, including:

• anemometers
• barometers
• thermometers

• using weather forecasts to ensure safe navigation.

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:

• air masses and cold and warm fronts
• basic principles of, and procedures for, interpreting meteorological information
• cloud classifications
• cyclones, storms and gales
• effects on navigation and vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography
• heat exchange process
• meteorological parameters:

• air temperature
• atmospheric pressure
• cloud
• pressure gradient and isobar patterns
• relative humidity
• visibility (in conditions of fog, mist, rain and snow)
• wind direction
• wind strength

• pressure systems
• principles of weather forecasting using information obtained from observations, reports and instruments
• procedures for applying forecast of likely weather and water conditions to the planning of a typical voyage
• procedures to be followed during gale conditions and cyclones, including the means of securing a vessel in a cyclone mooring
• sources and interpretation of weather data
• tropical meteorology
• vertical division of the atmosphere.

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.

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, safety management system (SMS), workplace procedures and operational manuals, including:

• notices and instructions of relevant maritime authorities
• vessel log
• weather reports, charts and satellite images

• tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry, including instruments and equipment for measuring and observing the weather.