Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention.

Work is performed under the direction of the Officer of the Watch as a member of a bridge team in accordance with defined operational requirements, with some accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of look out and observational techniques across a variety of operational contexts. Following of orders and instructions of the officer on watch is required.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Watchkeeping arrangements and procedures may be implemented:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and loading
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring
while in port
while moored or at anchor.

Watchkeeping principles for a rating (as laid out in the AMSA Marine Orders) include:
proper lookout must be maintained at all times
duties of look out and helmsman must be kept separate
look-out must give full attention to keeping a proper look out and must not carry out other duties which could interfere with the task
all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid pollution of the marine environment
appropriate assistance must be available to be summoned to the bridge if required by a change in the vessel's situation.

Fatigue management strategies may include:
recognition of symptoms of fatigue
arranging to take a break when symptoms of fatigue are identified
maintenance of personal fitness and health
appropriate dietary habits
avoidance of excessive consumption of alcohol prior to watchkeeping duties.

Emergencies may include:
fire
stranding
possible collision
heavy weather
synchronous rolling
distress signal
failure of bridge equipment, steering equipment, navigational lights
loss of main engines
man overboard
fog and restricted visibility
cargo shift
ice formation on hull and superstructure
floating ice
retrieval of survivors from the water
loss of watertight integrity
intoxicated persons on board a vessel
dragging anchor
fouled hawse
loss of mooring lines or winches when berthing
entry into confined spaces
personnel working aloft or overside
sudden list or loll.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
orders and instructions of the officer on watch
procedures for reporting emergencies and observations to the Officer in charge of the Watch
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
ISM Code
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Contributing to watch keeping arrangements and procedures
Fulfil responsibilities of an integrated rating during a watch
Reporting observations and other emergency situations arising during a watch
Communicate effectively with others in the course of watchkeeping duties.

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 an integrated rating on a commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Bridge procedures on board a vessel
Functions and responsibilities of the members of a bridge team onboard a vessel
Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch
Procedures for the use of internal communications and alarm systems
Factors that can affect watchkeeping functions
Causes of groundings, collisions and casualties when on board a vessel
Navigational hazards and implications for watchkeeping
Typical watchkeeping problems and emergency situations and appropriate action and solutions
Bridge instrumentation, controls and alarms relevant to the functions of an integrated rating
Functions of unmanned machinery space (UMS) controls, alarms and indicators
Rudder and propeller control and vessel manoeuvring characteristics
Signs of fatigue
Fatigue management principles and techniques
Basic environmental protection measures
Maritime communication techniques used within a bridge team onboard a vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
demonstrate the ability to contribute to a safe watch in range of suitably-simulated of watchkeeping situations relevant to the role of an integrated rating; and/or
contribute to maintaining a safe watch as an integrated rating on a commercial vessel in an appropriate range of situations and weather and sea conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out look out duties
identifying watchkeeping problems and reporting them to the officer in charge of the watch
applying safety precautions relevant to the role of an integrated rating during watchkeeping operations
reporting observations and other potentially dangerous situations to officer in charge of the watch
communicating effectively with the officer in charge of the watch in matters relevant to watchkeeping duties.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
ISM Code and associated ship's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant guidelines relating to the role of an integrated rating on board a vessel
following bridge housekeeping processes.

Action taken promptly to report watchkeeping incidents 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.