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 apply the recommended principles to be observed in managing and maintaining a navigational watch on board vessels up to 80 m.

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

• master on commercial vessels <35 m in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or
• master on vessels <80 m in inshore waters or
• chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels <80 m in length within the EEZ; and
• master on commercial vessels <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), Master <24m NC, Mate <80m NC and Master <35m NC 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 

Maintain watch on bridge when berthed or anchored 

1.1 

Checks and inspections are scheduled to comply with organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

1.2 

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

1.3 

Restrictions on access to vessel by non-authorised persons are followed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

1.4 

Internal and external communications systems are used according to organisational procedures

2 

Maintain watch on bridge when at sea 

2.1 

Proper watch is maintained at all times according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

2.2 

Lights, shapes and sound signals are correctly recognised and acted upon

2.3 

Frequency and extent of monitoring traffic, vessel and environment are scheduled to conform with organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

2.4 

Wheelhouse communication is maintained with other crew members on matters relevant to safety and integrity of vessel

2.5 

Clear and concise wheelhouse communications are maintained and clarification is sought from or given to other crew members when watch information or instructions are not clearly understood

2.6 

Internal and external communications systems are used according to organisational procedures

2.7 

Log and record books are maintained according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

3 

Respond to potential emergency situations 

3.1 

Watchkeeping problems and emergency situations are promptly reported to crew according to organisational procedures

3.2 

Distress signals are recognised and acted upon

3.3 

Appropriate action is taken to handle watchkeeping problems and emergency situations according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

4 

Manage crew performing watchkeeping and lookout duties 

4.1 

Watchkeeping schedule is developed with due regard to crew qualifications, experience and organisational procedures

4.2 

Instructions are provided on watchkeeping and lookout requirements in relation to monitoring traffic, vessel and environment

4.3 

Clear and concise roles and responsibilities of watchkeeping team are established

4.4 

Effective communication is maintained with crew on matters relevant to safety and integrity of vessel

4.5 

Fatigue management strategies are correctly applied in allocating watchkeeping and lookout duties

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 MARH003 Manage and maintain a navigational watch on board vessels up to 80 metres.

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:

• communicating effectively with others about watchkeeping issues, arrangements and requirements, including:

• verbal instructions relating to watchkeeping duties
• written instructions, such as Master’s standing orders and night orders

• interpreting and implementing procedures relevant to the role and responsibilities of watchkeeper
• maintaining situational awareness
• monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during watchkeeping duties and taking appropriate action
• scheduling checks and inspections (rounds) of the vessel to include appropriate coverage, frequency and timing
• selecting and using appropriate internal and external communications equipment during watchkeeping duties
• using bridge equipment in normal and emergency situations on vessels up to 80 metres
• using internal and external communications 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:

• action to be taken in the event of irregularities or abnormal conditions, including:

• fog and restricted visibility
• heavy weather, including cyclones

• application and intent of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as it applies to Australian coastal vessels and ports
• bridge instrumentation, controls and alarms relevant to the function of watchkeeper
• content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• fatigue management principles, including:

• maintaining personal fitness and health and appropriate dietary habits
• observing appropriate hours of duty in a 24-hour period
• observing policy concerning alcohol and or drug use prior to watchkeeping duties
• recognising symptoms of fatigue

• functions and responsibilities of the wheelhouse team on board a vessel
• general provisions on ship routeing
• identification and appropriate action in the event of emergency situations, including:

• cargo shift
• collision
• fire
• fouled hawse
• grounding
• injured crew or passenger
• loss of watertight integrity
• missing crew or passenger
• person overboard
• reception of a distress signal
• retrieval of survivors from the water
• synchronous rolling

• identification and appropriate action in the event of problems that may arise during watchkeeping, including:

• dragging of anchor
• failure of bridge equipment, steering equipment and navigational lights
• loss of main engines or propulsion controls
• loss of mooring lines or winches when berthing
• machinery and bilge alarms

• International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) buoyage system A
• International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR)
• International Code of Signals
• lights, shapes and sound signals and their application, including:

• alternative power source for lights
• day time shapes for a vessel
• emergency lights
• means of making sound signals for a vessel up to 80 metres
• navigation lights

• maritime communication techniques on board a vessel, including:

• global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) equipment
• radios
• international single letter code flags

• navigational hazards and implications for watchkeeping
• procedures and communications used for coordinating search and rescue operations are in accordance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) requirements
• procedures for assisting a vessel in search and rescue operations
• procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch
• procedures for the use of internal communications and alarm systems
• relevant sections of state and territory marine regulations and the NSCV, in particular Part E
• typical watchkeeping problems and emergency situations, and appropriate actions and solutions
• vessel traffic services
• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

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, workplace procedures and operational manuals, including:

• IAMSAR
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• NSCV

• a commercial vessel ≥7.5 m in length
• tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.