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 planning and execution of a significant range of cargo care techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of cargo types and operational contexts. Contribution to the development of a broad plan or strategy for cargo stowage and care 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 cargo care operations and procedures.

Worksite environment
Cargo may be as carried on any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Cargo care operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather.

Types of cargo may include:
general cargo
containers
various types of solid bulk materials
various types of bulk liquids
various types of liquefied gas
special and abnormal cargo such as:
refrigerated cargo and containers
pig iron, ingots and steel billets
livestock
mineral concentrates
extra heavy cargo.

Cargo care hazards may include:
damaged cargo
cargo security in poor weather or sea conditions
incorrectly stowed cargo
incorrectly lashed or secured cargo
non-compliance with safe working procedures.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
cargo care operational orders and instructions
relevant sections of IMO STCW Convention and Code
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
vessel's log
vessel's 'Cargo Securing Manual'
vessel's Register of Materials Handling Equipment
vessel / shore safety checklist
company cargo care procedures
cargo care equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and international standards and regulatory requirements.

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 including:
Part 34 as it relates to solid bulk cargoes
Part 43 as it relates to livestock
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
International Grain Code
Lumber Loadline requirements and the Code of Safe Practice for Ships carrying Timber Deck Cargo.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Plan and oversee cargo care operations:
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
across a representative range of typical cargo carriage contexts
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the care of cargo during a voyage
Identify typical cargo care problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during cargo care 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 to the management of cargo care operations
Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
ISM Code Safety Management System
Methods for caring for various types of cargo during a voyage
Typical operational characteristics of different types of ship-board cargo care equipment and facilities
Typical hazards and problems associated with the carriage of various types of cargo and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Differences between vessel's sweat and cargo sweat and reasons for the formation of both
Processes for the control of vessel and cargo sweat during a voyage including the use of shipboard ventilation and humidity control systems
Effects of different types of cargo on vessel's trim and stability
Procedures for calculating the maximum deadweight available to a vessel that needs to subsequently enter various seasonal loadline zones
Effects on cargo of wind, weather and sea conditions during a voyage
Typical types and sizes of shipping containers
Standard stowage position numbering systems used on container vessels
Procedures for determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash cargo
Procedures for calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
Cargo care communication techniques
Cargo care documentation requirements including documentation to limit claims on cargo carried.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
plan and manage the actual cargo care operations during the voyage of a vessel; and/or
plan and manage suitably-simulated cargo care operations over an appropriate range of situations, weather and operational conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
planning and overseeing cargo care operations
identifying and evaluating cargo care problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to cargo care procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to cargo care operations
assessing operational capability of cargo care 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
issue resolution procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
quality procedures (where existing)
security procedures
following on-board housekeeping processes.

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.