Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves assisting the officer of the watch safely navigate the vessel or conducting a watch in sole charge of a vessel.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application of the unit 

This unit has application to the safe navigation of a small vessel as may be used in aquaculture, fishing operations or fisheries compliance work where a maritime regulatory certification is not required. For advice on certifications refer to the current TDM07 Maritime Training Package.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements , including occupational health and safety  (OHS ) guidelines , and ecologically sustainable development  (ESD ) principles .

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment  (PPE ) is selected, checked, used and maintained.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Contribute to monitoring and controlling a navigational watch

1.1. Information  required for the exchange of a watch  is complete, accurate and relevant to both the personnel and the existing circumstances.

1.2. Handover and relief of the watch conforms to accepted principles and procedures of watch keeping .

1.3. Watch information/instructions that are unclear or ambiguous are clarified.

1.4. Lights, shapes and sound signals displayed or given conform with the requirements contained in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and to instructions received.

1.5. Lookout is maintained at all times according to accepted principles and procedures.

1.6. Reports and exchanges of navigational information are clear and concise.

1.7. Traffic, the vessel, weather watch keeping and hazards  are monitored  with appropriate frequency and intensity.

1.8. Frequency and degree of performance checks to navigational equipment complies with skipper's and owner's requirements.

1.9. Advice or clarification is sought immediately whenever in doubt and from the appropriate people.

2. Manoeuvre the vessel when contributing to the efficient running of the watch

2.1. Manoeuvres  are made to safely progress the planned voyage and comply fully with instructions received.

2.2. Engine control systems  are operated to progress the planned passage and are designed to complement helm movements.

2.3. Course is steered steadily within acceptable limits according to the area of navigation and the existing sea state .

2.4. Course alterations are smooth and controlled with minimal over shoot.

2.5. Communication is clear, concise and acknowledged at all times.

2.6. Steering modes are changed according to operating instructions, area, wind and sea state, and marine notices.

2.7. Vessel steering systems remain within safe operating limits during normal manoeuvres.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• maintaining a watch keeping routine:
• manoeuvring to:

• berth
• cross bars and narrow entrances
• maintain a steady course
• offer timely and obvious responses to potential collision
• steer a vessel under pilotage

• monitoring:

• communications equipment
• condition of vessel and personnel
• depth
• meteorological instruments
• meteorological updates
• navigation marks and hazards
• safety of the vessel and personnel
• sea state
• traffic by RADAR, aural and visual means
• weather

• using engine control systems
• using steering systems:

• auto pilots, including changeover procedures and operation of system controls for optimum performance
• back-up and emergency systems
• hand steering
• primary

Literacy skills used for :

• identifying buoyage and navigational marks from a chart
• reading meteorological information and instruments.

Required knowledge 

• principles and procedures relating to:

• basic meteorology sufficient to recognise imminent change in the weather and assist in reading meteorological instruments
• echo sounding equipment
• nautical terminology and the methods of reporting
• identification of sources of information
• operation of RADAR equipment
• responsibilities of a look out

• buoyage and navigation mark lights
• buoyage and navigation mark sound signals and top marks sufficient for them to be recognised
• classes of and responsibilities between vessels
• distress signals
• give way and stand on rules
• International Rules for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972
• sound signals
• procedures relating to:

• assessing the risk of collision by sight and RADAR
• bridge communications
• bridge control failure
• emergency manoeuvres
• emergency steering systems
• occasions when convention is to seek assistance
• use of helm and engines
• use of operational controls on an auto pilot

• information relating to:

• bridge procedures guides
• enterprise procedures
• International Maritime Organisation operational guidance for officers in charge of a navigational watch
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• delay the need for a navigational response if in doubt
• display manoeuvring signals
• hand over and take over a navigational watch
• identify hazards
• inform appropriate authority
• maintain a lookout
• perform basic navigation, monitoring and control to ensure the safety of a vessel when keeping a watch
• seek advice when required.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• negotiating buoyage in narrow waters
• negotiating traffic.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

• operational vessel with the range of equipment
• facilities for negotiating buoyage systems and traffic.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• observation of practical demonstration
• practical exercises
• project work
• simulator exercises
• written or oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements  may include:

• business or workplace operations, policies and practices
• ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

OHS guidelines  may include:

• appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
• clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace
• codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
• enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
• hazard and risk assessment of workplace and maintenance activities and control measures
• induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
• OHS training register
• safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
• safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
• systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
• the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.

ESD principles  may include:

• applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
• controlling effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
• improving energy efficiency
• increase use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
• minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
• reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
• reducing use of non-renewable resources
• reducing energy use
• reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
• reducing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
• undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• using and recycling of water, and maintaining water quality.

PPE  may include:

• buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
• gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering
• hard hat or protective head covering
• hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
• insulated protective clothing for freezers or chillers and refrigeration units
• non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
• personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
• protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
• protective hair, beard and boot covers
• protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
• respirator or face mask
• safety harness
• sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
• uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)
• waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).

Watch  includes:

• routines to be maintained when in charge of the bridge watch, such as:

• at anchor
• during the day
• in coastal waters
• in narrow waters
• in ocean areas
• in poor visibility
• in severe weather conditions
• under pilotage.

Principles and procedures of watch keeping :

• as itemised in:

• bridge procedures guide
• enterprise procedures and standing orders
• International Maritime Organisation 'Basic principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch'

• routines to be maintained when watch keeping.

Hazards  may relate to:

• bar and sea entrance crossings
• status of equipment and systems
• traffic and other obstructions
• vessel position
• weather and sea state.

Monitored  may be by:

• echo sounder
• RADAR
• sight
• sound.

Manoeuvres  may be in response to:

• crew overboard
• going astern
• stopping.

Engine control systems  may include:

• gear box
• steering systems
• throttle.

Sea state  may include:

• calm
• in a current
• rough
• tidal conditions.

Unit sector 

Vessel operations

Co-requisite units 

Competency field