Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:18 AM AWST

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Manoeuvre a vessel less than 24 metres in length within inshore limits

Manoeuvre a vessel less than 24 metres in length within inshore limits

Unit of competency
National Code
TDMMC801A
State Code
S2093
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
31/07/2001
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/02/2003
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Original Release Date
19/02/2003
Nominal Hours
6
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manoeuvre a commercial vessel up to 24m in length within inshore limits. This includes the operation of small vessel propulsion systems and manoeuvring the small vessel during normal operations and adverse weather conditions, including berthing, mooring and anchoring.The unit is consistent with the section in the Australian USL Code dealing with the competency requirements of a Master (Class 5).This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manoeuvre a commercial vessel up to 24m in length within inshore limits. This includes the operation of small vessel propulsion systems and manoeuvring the small vessel during normal operations and adverse weather conditions, including berthing, mooring and anchoring.The unit is consistent with the section in the Australian USL Code dealing with the competency requirements of a Master (Class 5).
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Manoeuvre the small vessel for normal operations
  • 1.1 Manoeuvres are made to safely progress the operation and keep the small vessel in safe water
  • 1.2 Small vessel's heading is maintained within acceptable limits with respect to the requirements of the manoeuvre, weather, tide, headreach and stopping distances
  • 1.3 Alterations of heading or power are smooth and controlled at all times
  • 1.4 Communication is clear, concise and acknowledged at all times according to good seamanship
  • 1.5 Suitable mode of steering is selected for the manoeuvre with respect to the area, wind and sea conditions
  • 1.6 Suitable techniques are applied when manoeuvring in shallow water and narrow channels
  • 1.7 Appropriate turn techniques are used during manoeuvres
  • 1.8 Small vessel propulsion is controlled as required to progress the operation and complement helm movements
  • 1.9 Safe operating limits of small vessel propulsion, steering and power systems are not exceeded in normal manoeuvres
  • 1.10 Appropriate allowance is made for the effects of deadweight, draft, trim, speed and under keel clearance on turning circles and stopping distance
  • 1.11 Correct procedures are adopted when crossing a bar
  • 1.12 Anchoring and mooring manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with safe nautical practice
  • 1.13 Adequate resources are organised prior to and during operations
2 Handle small vessel when under way
  • 2.1 The effects on small vessel performance of shallow and restricted waters, tidal and wind conditions and passing ship's and own vessel's bow and stern waves are regularly evaluated and the implications for small vessel handling assessed
  • 2.2 Appropriate alterations to small vessel heading and power are made in response to assessments of the vessel's operational environment
  • 2.3 Special handling techniques are correctly applied during rescues of persons overboard or adverse sea and weather conditions
  • 2.4 Correct manoeuvres are used when launching boats or life rafts
3 Manoeuvre small vessel during adverse weather conditions
  • 3.1 Impending adverse weather and/or ice conditions are identified and the implications for small vessel operations are evaluated
  • 3.2 Preparations are made and required precautions are taken to minimise risk and damage to small vessel and personnel and time loss on passage within the limits of the officer's responsibility
  • 3.3 Manoeuvres are adjusted to allow for weather and sea conditions to safely progress the operation and keep the small vessel in safe water
  • 3.4 Small vessel's heading is maintained within acceptable limits with respect to the requirements of the manoeuvre and the prevailing weather and sea conditions
  • 3.5 Special handling techniques required under heavy weather conditions are used when necessary
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. It involves the operation of small vessel propulsion systems and the application of nautical principles and manoeuvring techniques across a range of predictable inshore contexts. Planning and carrying out the required manoeuvres for a small vessel is required, including solving predictable small vessel manoeuvring problems.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include a small commercial vessel up to 24 m in length operating within inshore limits.

Manoeuvres may be carried out:
by day or night in normal operational situations
under normal and adverse conditions of sea and weather
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring
when crossing a bar.

Manoeuvres may include:
berthing and unberthing
mooring or anchoring
handling small vessel in shallow water, narrow channels, rivers, estuaries and restricted waters
use of small marine power plants
dragging an anchor and clearing a foul anchor.

Special handling techniques required may include:
launching lifeboats and life rafts
taking on board survivors from rescue boats and survival craft
manoeuvring to rescue a person overboard
keeping an unmanageable small vessel out of the trough of the sea
lessening drift
using oil.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
navigational charts
relevant maritime regulations
small vessel's log
small vessel's operational plan
small vessel manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
Australian USL Code
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.
Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Manoeuvre the small vessel:
safely in both normal situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
when underway
in berthing and unberthing operations
when anchoring or mooring
Exercise all required safety and hazard control procedures when manoeuvring the small vessel
Identify typical manoeuvring problems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during manoeuvring 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 master on a small vessel up to 24 m in length operating within inshore limits.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Limits of responsibility of a master of a small vessel up to 24 m in length operating within inshore limits
Methods for controlling small vessel speed and direction
Small vessel turn techniques including Williamson turn and short turn around
Techniques for turning a small vessel across the tide across the wind
Manoeuvring characteristics and propulsion system operational techniques for of vessels up to 24 m in length operating within inshore limits, including stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and loading
Effects of rudders and propellers on small boat performance
Effects of deadweight, draught, trim, speed and under-keel clearance on turning circles and stopping distances
Manoeuvring procedures for small vessels during adverse sea and weather conditions
Manoeuvres for a small vessel to approach an anchorage
Squat, shallow water, narrow channel and similar effects on small vessel's handling
Effects on small vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Typical manoeuvring problems for small vessels up to 24 m in length operating within inshore limits, and appropriate action and solutions
Interaction effects with passing and moored vessels and appropriate manoeuvring procedures to be applied
Manoeuvring procedures when launching lifeboats and life rafts
Methods for a recovering a person from the water
Maritime communication techniques, including issuing of helm and engine orders and tug communications.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
operate a suitable small vessel simulator over an appropriate range of simulated manoeuvring situations, weather and loading conditions; and/or
manoeuvre a vessel up to up to 24 m in length on coastal voyages.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
completing manoeuvring operations for a small vessel
identifying and evaluating manoeuvring problems and determining appropriate courses of action
applying safety precautions relevant to manoeuvring operations for small vessels
assessing operational capability of small vessel and propulsion system and associated equipment.

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 manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of propulsion system and associated equipment, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations.

Action taken promptly to report and/or resolve manoeuvring incidents.

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.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
S5386 TDMMC807B MANOEUVRE A VESSEL WITHIN THE LIMITS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF A MASTER 5 Unit of competency