Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:27 PM AWST

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Apply command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

Apply command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

Unit of competency
National Code
MARH5001A
State Code
WG439
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
06/06/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/02/2014
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Original Release Date
10/02/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage safe navigational watchkeeping on a commercial ocean-going vessel in compliance with Australian and international regulations and guidelines, protection of the marine environment and the safety of vessel and persons on board.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Establish safe watchkeeping procedures on vessels, potentially with limited qualified personnel
  • 1.1 Set of Master standing orders is developed to supplement vessel safety management system (SMS) noting number of watchkeeping personnel
  • 1.2 Accepted principles, vessel safety management procedures and Master standing orders are conformed with in conduct, handover and relief of watch
  • 1.3 Appropriate bridge team is established according to vessel SMS and bridge personnel are confirmed as fit for duty
  • 1.4 Duties are assigned to members of bridge team and their performance of those duties is monitored
  • 1.5 Members of bridge team are correctly briefed on their duties
  • 1.6 Action is taken to ensure vessel is navigated safely using appropriate position fixing techniques to check location the vessel and to maintain movement of vessel within planned limitations
  • 1.7 Action is taken to ensure progress of vessel with respect to passage plan is analysed and vessel navigation is managed appropriately to maintain a required estimated time of arrival at a point in the plan
  • 1.8 Accepted principles and procedures are conformed with in relation to frequency and extent of monitoring of traffic, vessel and environment
  • 1.9 Responsibility for safety of navigation is defined according to vessel SMS
  • 1.10 Safe navigational practice is achieved by implementing accepted bridge resource management principles and procedures
  • 1.11 Action is taken to ensure fatigue management strategies are correctly applied by bridge management team
2 Respond to potential collision and emergency situations
  • 2.1 Leadership of bridge team is taken when called to bridge in response to navigational situation
  • 2.2 Circumstances when assistance is required when Master is performing watchkeeping duties are identified
  • 2.3 Potential collision situations are analyse and appropriate action is taken to avoid collision in ample time and in compliance with international collision regulations, resulting in a safe passing distance and following practices of good seamanship
  • 2.4 SMS procedures and compliance with standard watchkeeping principles are correctly implemented when taking over bridge watch from officer of the watch
  • 2.5 Appropriate action is taken to initiate search and rescue procedures on receipt of a distress signal
  • 2.6 Appropriate advice is given to watchkeepers and correct actions are implemented regarding a response to navigational or operational emergency situations
3 Maintain watchkeeping records
  • 3.1 Relevant information is documented in required records
  • 3.2 Action is taken to ensure deck log book and other required records are maintained in an appropriate manner
  • 3.3 Required records are filed and stored according to organisational procedures
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.
Principles may include:
Ensuring proper watch is maintained at all times, including correct response to avoiding collision and maintaining safe navigation of vessel passage
Making appropriate assistance available to be summoned to bridge if required by change in vessel situation
Taking all necessary precautions to avoid pollution of marine environment
Responsibility for safety of navigation must include:
Periods under pilotage
Periods when Master is on bridge
Fatigue management strategies may include:
Arranging assistance for watchkeepers when symptoms of fatigue are identified
Ensuring avoidance of excessive consumption of alcohol prior to watchkeeping duties
Following appropriate dietary habits
Maintaining personal fitness and health
Planning appropriate actions when un-fatigued personnel are not available
Recognising symptoms of fatigue
Emergency situations may include:
Cargo shift
Distress signal
Dragging anchor
Entry into confined spaces
Failure of bridge equipment, steering equipment, navigational lights
Fire
Fog and restricted visibility
Fouled hawse
Heavy weather
Intoxicated persons on board vessel
Loss of:
main engines
mooring lines or winches when berthing
watertight integrity
Person overboard
Personnel working aloft or overside
Possible collision
Retrieval of survivors from water
Stranding
Sudden list or loll
Synchronous rolling

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
ensuring established passage plan is correctly carried out
taking prompt action to report and/or rectify watchkeeping incidents according to established procedures
completing work systematically with required attention to detail
recognising and adapting appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour, and interactions and communication with others
managing watchkeeping arrangements while underway, when berthed or moored, when slipped or in dry dock, during routine or unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where applying command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate applying command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.