Unit of competency Outline
Information current as of
20/10/2026 5:31 PM AWST
20/10/2026 5:31 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Undertake a rescue operation in a small powercraft
Undertake a rescue operation in a small powercraft
Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR010A
PUASAR010A
State Code
C9997
C9997
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/09/2008
Original Release Date
09/02/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Description
N/A
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
No information
Typical rescue operations include
Evacuations
Searches and rescues
Rescue boat operations can take place in water conditions that include
Fast flowing torrents
Shallow water
Slow moving water
Surf
Operation and task information may include
Access and egress routes
Nearby ramps or launching points
Number and nature of casualties
Potential hazards
Preventative rescue operations
Resupply and evacuation requirements
Surf and sea conditions
Tidal information
Weather forecast
Equipment used may include
Appropriate rescue equipment required for task
Appropriate trailer
Equipment required under State or Territory legislation
Organisational approved rescue boat (aluminium or inflatable hull, propeller or jet impellor propulsion)
Personal protective equipment, including protection from sun, heat, cold and protective footwear
Vessels may be launched from
Beach
Constructed boat ramps
Improvised sites
Hazards and environmental conditions may include
Adverse weather
Fast flowing streams and near still waters
Floating and submerged debris and snags
Fog or drizzle
Heat and cold
Rocks
Sea conditions
Surf
Time pressure
Underwater hazards such as underwater powerlines and fences reduced visibility due to after dark operations
Disabled vessel may include
Damaged outboard equipment
Dislodged load
Mechanical fault
Structural fault
Towing techniques may include
Come alongside
Double or single barging
Rafting up
Stern line
Towing sling
Recovery methods are described in
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Rescue boat search procedures are described in
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Relevant standards for conducting rescue boat search procedures are contained in
Manufacturer's guidelines
State and Territory legislation for boat operation
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Operational documentation may include
Activity reports
Medical information
Notes or sketches and other relevant information required for potential coronial or other legal proceedings
Vehicle and vessel running logs
Evacuations
Searches and rescues
Rescue boat operations can take place in water conditions that include
Fast flowing torrents
Shallow water
Slow moving water
Surf
Operation and task information may include
Access and egress routes
Nearby ramps or launching points
Number and nature of casualties
Potential hazards
Preventative rescue operations
Resupply and evacuation requirements
Surf and sea conditions
Tidal information
Weather forecast
Equipment used may include
Appropriate rescue equipment required for task
Appropriate trailer
Equipment required under State or Territory legislation
Organisational approved rescue boat (aluminium or inflatable hull, propeller or jet impellor propulsion)
Personal protective equipment, including protection from sun, heat, cold and protective footwear
Vessels may be launched from
Beach
Constructed boat ramps
Improvised sites
Hazards and environmental conditions may include
Adverse weather
Fast flowing streams and near still waters
Floating and submerged debris and snags
Fog or drizzle
Heat and cold
Rocks
Sea conditions
Surf
Time pressure
Underwater hazards such as underwater powerlines and fences reduced visibility due to after dark operations
Disabled vessel may include
Damaged outboard equipment
Dislodged load
Mechanical fault
Structural fault
Towing techniques may include
Come alongside
Double or single barging
Rafting up
Stern line
Towing sling
Recovery methods are described in
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Rescue boat search procedures are described in
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Relevant standards for conducting rescue boat search procedures are contained in
Manufacturer's guidelines
State and Territory legislation for boat operation
The Australian Emergency Manual - Flood and Inland Waterways Rescue
Operational documentation may include
Activity reports
Medical information
Notes or sketches and other relevant information required for potential coronial or other legal proceedings
Vehicle and vessel running logs
Critical aspects of evidence
Assessment must confirm the ability to work and manoeuvre the vessel safely while participating in a rescue boat operation.
Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units: PUASAR009A - Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
Co-requisite units:
PUACOM001B - Communicate in the workplace
PUAEME001A - Provide emergency care
PUAOPE002A - Operate communications systems and equipment
PUALAW001A - Protect and preserve incident scene
Underpinning knowledge
Composition of team, and roles and responsibilities of team members
Driving motor vehicles towing trailers
Effects of driving and crewing under adverse conditions including fast flowing water, surf and sea conditions
Local hazards and environmental threats
Local operating procedures and organisational standards
Nature of the sea and surf hazards
Personal hygiene protocols
Reconnaissance processes
Relevant State or Territory legislation, management and inter-service arrangements
Rescue techniques
Roles and responsibilities of, and relationship with, other emergency services
State or Territory regulations for boat operation
Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including hand signals and language style
Underpinning skills
Ability to return equipment to organisational readiness after use, including appropriate wash-down and motor flush
Backing and manoeuvring boat-trailers
Casualty handling
Clear interpersonal communication as driver of the vessel
Confident and safe boat handling skills, including rescue of persons and recovery of objects from the water
Constant monitoring of hazards and application of safety principles
Emergency drills
Knots and lashings for securing small boats
Working in a team
Resource implications
Access to equipment used in rescue boat operations is essential and access to suitable sea or surf conditions is desirable.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over one or more exercises, scenarios or incidents. Confident boat handling is developed over time, and requires practise before assessment.
Competency may be demonstrated through questioning during and after an exercise, scenario or incident, hypothetical questioning and written or oral descriptions, or discussions or feedback during a debrief.
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in actual or simulated conditions and should include a range of operations including evacuations, searches and rescues in open sea, rivers, lakes or surf environments, and in a range of water conditions ranging from shallow, slow moving water to fast flowing torrents or surf.
Assessment must confirm the ability to work and manoeuvre the vessel safely while participating in a rescue boat operation.
Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units: PUASAR009A - Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
Co-requisite units:
PUACOM001B - Communicate in the workplace
PUAEME001A - Provide emergency care
PUAOPE002A - Operate communications systems and equipment
PUALAW001A - Protect and preserve incident scene
Underpinning knowledge
Composition of team, and roles and responsibilities of team members
Driving motor vehicles towing trailers
Effects of driving and crewing under adverse conditions including fast flowing water, surf and sea conditions
Local hazards and environmental threats
Local operating procedures and organisational standards
Nature of the sea and surf hazards
Personal hygiene protocols
Reconnaissance processes
Relevant State or Territory legislation, management and inter-service arrangements
Rescue techniques
Roles and responsibilities of, and relationship with, other emergency services
State or Territory regulations for boat operation
Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including hand signals and language style
Underpinning skills
Ability to return equipment to organisational readiness after use, including appropriate wash-down and motor flush
Backing and manoeuvring boat-trailers
Casualty handling
Clear interpersonal communication as driver of the vessel
Confident and safe boat handling skills, including rescue of persons and recovery of objects from the water
Constant monitoring of hazards and application of safety principles
Emergency drills
Knots and lashings for securing small boats
Working in a team
Resource implications
Access to equipment used in rescue boat operations is essential and access to suitable sea or surf conditions is desirable.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over one or more exercises, scenarios or incidents. Confident boat handling is developed over time, and requires practise before assessment.
Competency may be demonstrated through questioning during and after an exercise, scenario or incident, hypothetical questioning and written or oral descriptions, or discussions or feedback during a debrief.
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in actual or simulated conditions and should include a range of operations including evacuations, searches and rescues in open sea, rivers, lakes or surf environments, and in a range of water conditions ranging from shallow, slow moving water to fast flowing torrents or surf.
No information