Elements and Performance Criteria

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

Work is performed within defined operational procedures, with responsibility for own outputs and limited responsibility for others in achieving the operation and maintenance of the steering gear arrangements for a small vessel. Preparing and implementing a planned steering gear maintenance program for a vessel up to 24 metres in length is required.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any commercial vessel up to 24 metres in length.

Operation of the steering gear arrangements may be carried out:
while underway
when berthed or moored
when slipped or in dry dock.

Maintenance may include:
routine maintenance inspections
identification of any faults or operational problems
repairs of minor faults and imperfections in painted surfaces
identification of faulty equipment or fittings and arranging for repair or replacement
application of lubricants to moving parts of steering gear.

Maintenance tools and equipment may include:
hand tools
greasing and lubrication tools
protective clothing and equipment such as:
eye and ear protection
safety boots
dust and fume masks.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
planned maintenance procedures
maintenance schedules and records
steering gear manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities related to the maintenance of vessels.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
the Australian USL Code
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Operate and maintain steering gear arrangements on a small vessel
Identify problems related to the steering gear operation and maintenance and take appropriate action
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during inspection and maintenance operations
Communicate effectively with others when operating and maintaining steering gear arrangements.

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 master of a small commercial vessel up to 24 metres in length.

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant maritime qualifications
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Principle design and safety features and component parts of steering gear arrangements used on small vessels
Procedures for operating typical steering gear arrangements found on small vessels
Procedures for the checking and inspecting of steering gear arrangements as part of routine maintenance procedures
Basic component parts, operation and survey requirements of steering gear arrangements on a small vessel
Repair and/or replacement procedures for steering gear arrangements and related components onboard small vessels
Procedures for using hand tools for typical maintenance operations in steering gear arrangements on small vessels
Requirements for, and operation of, emergency steering systems
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to inspection and maintenance of steering gear arrangements on small vessels
Maritime communication techniques needed during slipping and maintenance operations
Problems that may be experienced related to the operation and maintenance of steering gear arrangements and appropriate action and solutions
Maintenance records that must be maintained on a small vessel.

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 operate and carry out maintenance on steering gear arrangements on a small vessel, and/or
operate and carry out maintenance on steering gear on an operational commercial or training small vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out routine maintenance checks on steering gear arrangements on a small vessel
identifying and evaluating maintenance problems and determining appropriate courses of action
initiating and coordinating steering gear maintenance activities on a small vessel
applying safety precautions relevant to maintenance operations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant maritime regulations
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant steering gear manufacturer's guidelines relating to routine maintenance procedures
environmental protection procedures when carrying out maintenance operations.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify defective steering gear equipment and components in accordance with established 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.