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 handling 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 handling operations and stowage 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 handling operations and procedures.

Worksite environment
Cargo may be loaded or unloaded from any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Cargo handling operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
at various shoreside loading and discharge terminals.

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

Cargo handling equipment may include:
single swinging derricks
union purchase derricks
ship-board cranes
terminal based cranes
pumps, valves and hoses.

Cargo handling hazards may include:
faulty cargo handling equipment
damaged cargo
cargo handling operations in poor weather or sea conditions
incorrectly stowed cargo
incorrectly lashed or secured cargo
using equipment beyond safe working limits
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 handling 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 handling procedures
cargo handling 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:
sections of IMO STCW Code and Convention related to cargo handling
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders including:
Part 32 as it relates to cargo gear
Part 34 as it relates to solid bulk cargoes
Part 43 as it relates to livestock
International Grain Code
Lumber Loadline requirements and the Code of Safe Practice for Ships carrying Timber Deck Cargo
IMO SOLAS Convention
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Plan and oversee cargo handling operations:
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
across a representative range of typical cargo handling contexts.
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the handling of cargo during loading / unloading and stowage operations
Identify typical cargo handling problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during cargo handling operations.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory cargo handling/vessel stability units that form part of a job role of the master of a vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of IMO STCW 95 Convention and Codes and AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the management of cargo handling operations
Relevant OH&S and cargo handling legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
ISM Code Safety Management Procedures as they relate to cargo handling operations
IMO SOLAS Convention
Methods for handling and securing various types of cargo, including the operation of various types and configurations of lifting gear
Regulations pertaining to cargo handling equipment and gear
Typical cargo handling hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Procedures for calculating the stresses on lifting gear used in cargo handling operations
Procedures for determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash cargo
Typical operational characteristics of different types of ship-board and terminal-based cargo handling equipment and facilities
Ways of restricting vessel's stress levels within permitted limits during loading / discharging of dry bulk cargoes
Effects of different types of cargo operations 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 handling of wind and weather
Ballast management issues and procedures
Typical types and sizes of shipping containers
Standard stowage position numbering systems used on container vessels
Procedures for determining a vessel's displacement by draught survey
Factors that affect the reading of a vessel's draught
Procedures for calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
Operational procedures and layouts of various types of shoreside terminals used to load and unload vessels
Cargo handling communication techniques, including terminology used in cargo operations
Cargo handling 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 loading / unloading operations of a vessel; and/or
plan and manage suitably-simulated cargo loading / unloading operations over an appropriate range of cargo handling situations, weather and operational conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
planning and overseeing cargo handling operations
identifying and evaluating cargo handling problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to cargo handling procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to cargo handling operations
assessing operational capability of cargo handling equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 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
waste, pollution and recycling management 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.