Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations and IMO Conventions and Codes including the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and ensuring that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by IMO, the classification societies and maritime industry organisations are taken into account.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the application of a significant range of fundamental nautical principles and complex manoeuvring techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of operational contexts. Contribution to the development of a broad plan, budget or strategy for vessel operations is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires significant judgement in planning, technical and leadership functions related to manoeuvring operations and procedures for vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Manoeuvres may be carried out:
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.

Manoeuvres may include:
berthing and unberthing
mooring or anchoring
approaching pilot stations and embarking and disembarking pilots
handling vessel in shallow water, rivers, estuaries and restricted waters
navigating in or near ice or in conditions of ice accumulation on board
navigating in and near 'traffic separation schemes' and 'vessel traffic service areas'
interactions with tugs
use of propulsion and manoeuvring systems
dragging an anchor and clearing a foul anchor
dry docking both with and without damage.

Emergencies may include:
loss of rudder
loss of propeller
when hove to
fire or flooding on board a vessel.

Special handling techniques required in heavy weather may include:
assisting a vessel or aircraft in distress
towing operations
launching rescue boats and survival craft
taking on board survivors from rescue boats and survival craft
keeping an unmanageable vessel out of the trough of the sea
lessening drift.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
operational orders
navigational charts
IMO STCW Convention and Code
AMSA Marine Orders
IMO SOLAS Convention
vessel's log
company procedures
vessel manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
pilot instructions where relevant
relevant Australian and international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
IMO STCW Code and Convention related to vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
IMO SOLAS Convention
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:
Manoeuvre the vessel:
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
with the assistance of tugs
when underway
in berthing and unberthing operations
when anchoring or mooring
Exercise all required safety and hazard control procedures when manoeuvring the vessel
Identify typical manoeuvring problems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during manoeuvring operations.

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 the master of a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of IMO STCW 95 Convention and Codes and AMSA Marine Orders applicable for vessels of 500 gross tonnage and over
Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
IMO SOLAS Convention
Methods for controlling vessel speed and direction
Procedures for picking up and dropping off a pilot
Procedures for working with tugs and tractors
Techniques used for anchoring a vessel
Procedures for preparing for and manoeuvring a vessel in adverse weather conditions
Constant rate of turn techniques
Effects on vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Typical manoeuvring and engine characteristics for vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more, including stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and loading
Procedures for the use of manoeuvring data sheets
Manoeuvring procedures in and near 'traffic separation schemes' and 'vessel traffic service areas'
Typical manoeuvring problems for vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more and appropriate action and solutions
Maritime communication techniques, including issuing of helm and engine orders and tug communications.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
operate a vessel simulator, meeting the requirements of Section A I/12 of the IMO STCW 95 Code, over an appropriate range of simulated manoeuvring situations, weather and loading conditions
manoeuvre a commercial vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more in an appropriate range of situations, weather and loading conditions; and/or

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
completing manoeuvring operations
identifying and evaluating manoeuvring problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to manoeuvring procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to manoeuvring operations
assessing operational capability of vessel and manoeuvring plant and equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
Relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Convention and Code and AMSA Marine Orders
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify accidents and incidents in accordance with statutory requirements and company 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.