Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
a. Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulations
b. Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes
c. Work involves the use of radar and GPS/DGPS to assist the safe navigation of a vessel across a wide and often unpredictable variety of navigational situations. Implementation of operational strategies and procedures for the use of radar and GPS/DGPS to maintain the safe navigation of the vessel is required. Limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved
d. Work requires judgement in operational functions related to the use of electronic navigational aids to maintain the safe navigation of a commercial vessel

Worksite environment
a. Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel
b. Radar and GPS/DGPS may be operated to support command navigational decisions:
b.1. by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
b.2. under any possible conditions of weather and loading
b.3. while underway
b.4. during berthing and unberthing operations
b.5. while anchoring or mooring
c. Equipment may include:
c.1. radar
c.2. GPS and DGPS satellite systems as applied to navigation problems
c.3. Integrated navigation systems
d. The use of radar and GPS/DGPS to assist safe navigation may include:
d.1. avoidance of collision with another vessel
d.2. fixing the position of the vessel
d.3. tracking of other vessels
d.4. assistance in making of command navigational decisions
d.5. navigating during search and rescue operations

Sources of information/documents
a. Sources of information and documentation may include:
a.1. relevant maritime regulations
a.2. operational orders
a.3. navigational charts
a.4. radar plotting charts
a.5. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
a.6. safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions (where relevant)
a.7. vessel's log
a.8. company procedures for the use of navigational aids
a.9. systems manufacturers' instructions and recommended procedures
a.10. instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
a.11. relevant Australian and international standards

Applicable Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
a. Applicable domestic regulations and legislation may include:
a.1. IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention
a.2. relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
a.3. NSCV/Australian USL Code
a.4. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
a.5. relevant international, Australian and State/Territory marine and OH&S legislation

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
a. Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
a.1. Initialise and operate radar and GPS/DGPS
a.2. Interpret and analyse data generated by radar and GPS/DGPS systems and use it to inform navigational command decisions
a.3. Use data generated by radar and GPS/DGPS systems to fix the position of the vessel
a.4. Use data generated by radar and GPS/DGPS n systems to plot the tracks of other vessels
a.5. Identify typical problems in the use of radar and GPS/DGPS systems and take appropriate action
a.6. Communicate effectively with others when using radar and GPS/DGPS aids to assist in the safe navigation of the vessel

Interdependent assessment of units
a. This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of an officer on a commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
a. Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
b. Terminology and principles of operation of radar and GPS/DGPS typically used on vessels
c. The different types of electronic navigational aids including their features, key applications and operational characteristics
d. Procedures for the initialisation and operation of radar, and various other types of electronic navigational aids
e. Techniques for the use of relevant electronic navigation systems including:
e.1. GPS and DGPS satellite systems as applied to navigation problems
e.2. Integrated navigation systems
f. The limitations and potential errors associated with each type of electronic navigational aid
g. Methods for the interpretation and analysis of navigational data produced by radar, and various other types of electronic navigational aids including due allowance for the limitations and potential errors associated with each type of electronic navigational aid
h. Procedures for the use of data generated by radar, and various other types of electronic navigational aids to assist in the safe navigation of the vessel
i. Maritime communication techniques when using radar and GPS/DGPS aids to assist in the safe navigation of a vessel
j. Typical problems in the use of radar and GPS/DGPS systems to aid the navigation and appropriate courses of action and solutions

Resource implications
a. Access is required to opportunities to either:
a.1. carry out navigation assignments or exercises using an appropriate electronic navigation simulator over a representative range of navigational incidents; and/or
a.2. use radar and GPS/DGPS aids to maintain safe navigation during sea time on the voyage of a commercial or training vessel

Consistency in performance
a. Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
a.1. using radar and GPS/DGPS to assist in the safe navigation of the vessel
a.2. identifying and evaluating problems in the use of radar and GPS/DGPS and the navigational data they produce and determining an appropriate courses of action
a.3. identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for the use of radar and GPS/DGPS for the safe navigation of the vessel
a.4. assessing operational capability of various types of radar and GPS/DGPS aids
b. Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
b.1. relevant maritime regulations
b.2. vessel's Safety Management System and procedures (where applicable)
b.3. OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
b.4. job procedures and work instructions
b.5. relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of electronic navigational aids
b.6. security procedures when using radar and GPS/DGPS aids
c. Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify problems in the use of radar and GPS/DGPS in accordance with statutory requirements and company procedures
d. Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail

Context for assessment
a. Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations
b. Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
b.1. As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
b.2. Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
b.2.1. at the registered training organisation, and/or
b.2.2. on an appropriate working or training vessel