Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations concerning protection of the marine environment.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of regulations and measures to ensure the protection of the marine environment in a wide variety of operational contexts.

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

Dangers to the marine environment may occur:
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 moored or at anchor.

Items and equipment surveyed under certification to protect the marine environment may include:
pumps
valves
emission control equipment
water management equipment including: cooling water, ballast water and bilge systems
waste storage and recycling equipment
ballast management equipment.

Measures to protect the marine environment may include:
prevention of spillages of cargo
prevention of spillages of fuel and oil
control of polluting emissions of gas and smoke
effective management of waste, pollution and recycling processes
effective management of ballast operations
shipboard housekeeping
pollution control instructions.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
relevant regulations for the type of vessel involved
company procedures related to the protection of the marine environment
equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
vessel's log where relevant
certificates and other documents required by regulations for the protection of the marine environment
relevant standards related to the protection of the marine environment.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Dependent on the size and range of service of the vessel, applicable procedures and codes may include:
IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention related to protection of the marine environment
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders related to protection of the marine environment
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code related to protection of the marine environment
MARPOL Convention
relevant international, Australian and/or State/Territory legislation related to protection of the marine environment.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Maintain compliance with legislative requirements for protection of the marine environment
Maintain currency and validity of all required certification and documentation concerning protection of the marine environment
Identify typical pollution control problems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others concerning measures to protect the marine environment.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency may be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of a master, engineer or marine engine driver on a commercial vessel with responsibilities for ensuring compliance with pollution control measures.

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant legislation and policies to protect the marine environment
Effects on the marine environment of various possible pollution incidents
Typical pollution control problems and related measures to protect the marine environment
Certificates and other documents required by relevant Australian and/or international legislation and conventions for the protection of the marine environment
Maritime communication techniques and processes for maintaining currency and validity of surveyed items and equipment
Features and operational characteristics of emission control equipment typically used on vessels of various types
Operational requirements of water, bilge, waste, pollution and recycling management processes on vessels as appropriate
Regulations for reporting incidents related to breaches of the statutory codes and measures for the protection of the marine environment.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
demonstrate performance in suitably-simulated activities aimed at the protection of the marine environment covering a range of situations typically experienced on a vessel and/or
contribute to measures to protect the marine environment on a vessel in an appropriate range of situations, weather and loading conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
completing activities aimed at compliance with legislative requirements for protection of the marine environment
identifying and evaluating problems related to the aimed at compliance with legislative requirements for environmental protection and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to environmental protection measures
assessing compliance of vessel with legislative requirements for protection of the marine environment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant regulatory requirements dealing with environmental protection
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions related to environmental protection
following on-board housekeeping processes
waste, pollution and recycling management processes, where relevant.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify breaches of environmental protection regulations and conventions 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.