Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant regulations.

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

Work involves the monitoring and supervision of a significant range of cargo care operations across a wide and often unpredictable variety of cargo types and operational contexts. Monitoring and supervising the implementation of a broad plan or strategy for cargo care operations and stowage is required. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires limited responsibility in the management of 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 sea and weather conditions.

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 maritime regulations
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
Australian USL Code
ISM Code
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:
Monitor 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 monitoring and supervising 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 cargo handling/vessel stability units that form part of a job role of an officer on a vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Principles of cargo care, including:
causes of cargo damage, their effect and preventative measures
methods of temperature control of reefer cargoes
causes effects and prevention of sweat, including the control of vessel and cargo sweat during a voyage including the use of shipboard ventilation and humidity control systems
differences between vessel's sweat and cargo sweat and reasons for the formation of both
principles of cargo ventilation including methods and systems
function of dunnage
cargo damage survey methods
Procedures and documentation required in the event of a safety incident when managing cargo care operations during a voyage
Methods for caring for various types of cargo during a voyage
Operational characteristics of different types of ship-board cargo care equipment and facilities
Hazards and problems associated with the carriage of various types of cargo and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Effects of different types of cargo on vessel's trim and stability
Procedures for carrying out calculations involving weights, capacities, stowage factors, load densities, etc., including:
calculating the maximum deadweight available to a vessel that needs to subsequently enter various seasonal loadline zones
determining a vessel's displacement by draught survey
determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash cargo
calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
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
IMDG Code
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 suitably-simulated cargo care operations over an appropriate range of situations, weather and operational conditions; and/or
plan and manage the actual cargo care operations during the voyage of a vessel.

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
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 maritime regulations
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of relevant vessel's machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
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.