Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in accordance with the relevant maritime regulations.

Work is performed within a defined range of operations and routine procedures, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards. It involves the interpretation of meteorological, observations, reports and instrument measurements to the forecasting of weather and ocean conditions and the application of those forecasts to safe passage planning and navigation.

Some discretion and judgement is required in interpreting meteorological data and forecasts, related navigational hazards and contingencies and the actions to be taken in these eventualities.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any commercial vessel engaged on near coastal voyages.

Voyages being planned and conducted may include:
any near coastal voyage navigable by the size and type of vessel concerned
passages through
traffic separation schemes in near coastal areas
tidal restricted areas
VTS controlled areas
pilotage water under conditions of restricted visibility.

Navigation may occur in conditions of:
clear visibility using visual navigational techniques
restricted visibility using parallel indexing and/or electronic chart systems
clear visibility using a combination of visual and electronic techniques.

Instruments may include:
air and sea thermometers
barometers
hydrometers
anemometers
wind strength and direction instruments
instruments for measuring sea swell height, direction and period.

Meteorological and oceanographic parameters may include:
atmospheric pressure
pressure gradient
air temperature
relative humidity
wind strength
wind direction
swell height, direction and period
visibility
cloud cover.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
navigational charts of near coastal waters
meteorological and oceanographic publications
coastal weather reports, charts and satellite images
annual and weekly notices to mariners
publications from the Australian Hydrographer including radio signals, light lists, sailing directions, tide tables and chart catalogues
navigational warning records
Australian USL Code
vessel's log
company procedures
vessel manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
Sections of Australian USL Code related to weather forecasting and navigation
AMSA Marine Orders related to weather forecasting and navigation (where applicable)
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Obtain and decipher weather and oceanographic data collected from observations, reports, charts, satellite images and instruments
Forecast weather and ocean conditions and apply them to the planning of a near coastal passage
Identify and evaluate weather forecasting problems and determine appropriate solutions
Access, use and maintain meteorological charts, meteorological publications and related weather and oceanographical documentation
Use weather forecasts to ensure safe navigation
Keep appropriate records of weather and oceanographic information and weather forecasts.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of a master of a small commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant regulations dealing with weather forecasting and navigation applicable for vessels on near coastal voyages
Principles and procedures of weather forecasting using information obtained from observations, reports and instruments including:
vertical division of the atmosphere
air masses and fronts
cloud classifications
heat exchange process
synoptic chart analysis
pressure systems, cold and warm fronts
cyclones, storms and gales
tropical meteorology
ocean currents
weather data provided by shipboard instruments
sea state
tide prediction
use of tide tables
Basic principles and procedures for making meteorological and oceanographic measurements using appropriate instruments and interpreting and deciphering the results
Sources of weather and oceanographic reports and methods for their interpretation
Procedures for the application of forecast of likely weather and oceanic conditions to the development of a typical coastal passage plan
Procedures for filing and handling weather and oceanographic reports, records of observations and instrument readings
Procedures for the calculation of the height of tide for a given time at any place listed using tide tables
Effects on navigation and shiphandling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Problems in the forecasting of weather and oceanographic information to navigation of a vessel and appropriate action and solutions
Procedures to be followed during gale conditions and cyclones including the means of securing a vessel in a cyclone mooring
Maritime communication techniques.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
a range of suitably simulated practical and knowledge assignments and exercises that demonstrate the ability to collect appropriate weather and oceanographic data from observations, reports and basic measurements using shipboard instruments and apply them to the safe navigation of a vessel, and/or
collect weather and oceanographic data from observations, reports and basic measurements and apply them to the safe navigation of an operational commercial or training vessel on a near coastal voyage.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
observing weather and ocean conditions
using shipboard instruments to collect basic meteorological and oceanographic data
obtaining and deciphering weather and oceanographic data collected from observations, charts, reports, satellite images and instruments
forecasting weather and ocean conditions and applying the forecasts to the planning and conduct of a near coastal passage
identifying and evaluating weather forecasting problems and determining appropriate solutions.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace and regulatory procedures including:
relevant regulations
established procedures for the forecasting local weather and ocean conditions in near coastal waters
navigational regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
reporting of vessel's position, route and navigational contingencies
job procedures and instructions on the use of meteorological instruments, reports and observations
use of relevant meteorological publications, charts and satellite images
procedures for the storage and maintenance of meteorological publications and charts.

Action is taken promptly to report and take account of adverse weather forecasts in accordance with established procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.