Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant sections of the Australian Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code applicable to small trading vessels.

Work is performed within established procedures, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards. Limited responsibility for others in achieving outcomes is required including the application of solutions to a variety of predictable servicing problems.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any small commercial vessel operating in near coastal waters.

Hull material may include:
timber
steel
composite
marine grade alloy
ferro-concrete.

Basic hull servicing on a vessel may be carried out:
when berthed or moored
when slipped or in dry dock.

Basic servicing may include:
routine inspections of the watertight integrity of the vessel
identification of any deterioration of a vessel's hull, structure, fittings, propeller and underwater equipment
cleaning and polishing
checking and replacing sacrificial anodes.

Underwater equipment may include:
sea valves and strainers
bearings (stern and rudder)
lock-pin
skin fittings.

Servicing tools and equipment may include:
hand tools including chipping hammers and scrapers
electric power tools such as grinders, sanders and drills,
pneumatic power tools such as grinders, sanders and drills
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots and helmet
dust and fume masks

Deterioration of vessel's structure and fittings may include:
corrosion to hull fittings and equipment
decay of timber surfaces
deterioration of propellers and underwater equipment.

Action to maintain watertight integrity of vessel may include:
closing of sea valves
repair of corrosion
closing of hatches
checks on hull fittings.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code dealing with hull servicing and watertight integrity on small vessels
vessel and company hull servicing procedures
vessel and equipment manufacturer's instructions, specifications and procedures.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
Australian USL Code related to the seaworthiness of vessels
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Carry out basic routine hull servicing and checks of the water tight integrity of a small vessel within limits of responsibility
Carry out routine observational monitoring of propellers and underwater equipment
Initiate action to repair hull damage or deterioration in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer's instructions
Identify typical problems related to the basic hull servicing of a small vessel and take appropriate action in conjunction with others
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during hull inspection and servicing operations
Communicate effectively with others when carrying out hull servicing procedures on board a small vessel.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of a Master (Class 5) or a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 3).

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant OH&S procedures
Procedures for the checking and inspecting the hull of a small vessel as part of routine servicing
Knowledge of the problems likely to be found during the inspection and basic routine servicing of hulls on small vessels including an awareness of the required standard of paintwork and antifouling
The nature and causes of corrosion of marine surfaces and structures and the methods for its control
Hull corrosion control measures, including surface preparation, painting and the use of sacrificial anodes
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to hull inspection and servicing operations
Principle features of the structure of typical small vessels
Types of servicing records that must be maintained on a vessel to meet the requirements of the company and regulatory authorities.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to carry out basic, routine hull inspection and servicing procedures and operations to maintain the watertight integrity of a small commercial vessel, and/or
carry out procedures on a small operational commercial or training vessel to:
undertake basic, routine hull inspection and servicing
undertake operations to maintain the watertight integrity of the vessel

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out basic routine hull inspection and servicing
checking and maintaining the watertight integrity of a small vessel
identifying and evaluating hull servicing problems and determining appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to hull inspection and servicing operations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code
OHS and pollution control regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant vessel manufacturer's guidelines relating to hull inspection and routine servicing procedures
environmental protection procedures when carrying out servicing operations.

Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify issues and problems identified during hull inspection and servicing in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, regulations 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.