Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:01 PM AWST

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Manage business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

Manage business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

Unit of competency
National Code
MARD5001A
State Code
WG402
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
06/06/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/02/2014
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Original Release Date
10/02/2014
Nominal Hours
21
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage the business and administration of a commercial ocean-going vessel and its personnel in compliance with Australian and international regulations and guidelines, and to ensure the protection of the marine environment and the safety of the vessel and people on board.Managing vessel business operations and resources includes legal and commercial responsibilities, the safety management system (SMS), procedures to obtain a safety management certificate and subsequent audits, managing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and practices, monitoring and controlling expenditure, and analysing and preparing reports. It also involves organising and managing crew, and includes allocating duties, conducting required training, and assessing and maintaining expected standards of work and behaviour.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Develop plans for general and specific vessel operations
  • 1.1 Vessel operation goals and objectives are identified according to company procedures, operational orders, regulatory requirements and established marine management practice
  • 1.2 General and specific vessel operations plans are drawn up according to company procedures
  • 1.3 Correct procedures for emergency response on board a vessel are developed according to company procedures, operational orders, regulatory requirements and established marine management practice
  • 1.4 Appropriate validation measures and standards are devised to monitor progress in operations against plans, and appropriate contingency plans are developed for any discrepancies or variations that may occur during operations
  • 1.5 Service procedures and systems improvement opportunities are identified and appropriate measures are taken to act on these opportunities according to company procedures and established marine management practice
  • 1.6 Plans, goals, objectives and instructions for general and specific vessel operations and emergency and contingency procedures are distributed to relevant personnel according to company procedures and established marine management practice
2 Ensure legal requirements are fulfilled
  • 2.1 Legal basis under which a commercial vessel operates is interpreted and followed, and shipmaster safety, legal and commercial obligations are identified and carried out in a relevant range of operational circumstances
  • 2.2 National and international conventions, laws and regulations pertaining to vessel operations and contingencies are implemented
  • 2.3 Entries are made into vessel log books as required and carriage of all required vessel certification is confirmed and ensured
  • 2.4 Appropriate arrangements are made for preparing vessel for statutory survey and certification
  • 2.5 Relevant code of conduct and industrial agreements are applied to vessel operations and management, and shipmaster responsibilities as they relate to crew health and safety are implemented
  • 2.6 Vessel security procedures are consistent with IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
  • 2.7 Procedures and requirements relating to state port control are implemented
  • 2.8 Procedures and requirements relating to customs, quarantine and immigration clearances are implemented
3 Ensure commercial and business requirements are fulfilled
  • 3.1 Contracts of carriage and bills of lading under which vessel owners and cargo owners operate are interpreted and adhered to according to company procedures, legal requirements and established marine management practice
  • 3.2 Commercial and legal aspects of general average, salvage and towage are identified, interpreted and implemented according to company procedures, legal requirements and established marine management practice
  • 3.3 Commercial and legal aspects of marine hull and cargo insurance are identified, interpreted and implemented according to company procedures, legal requirements and established marine management practice
  • 3.4 Accident and incident investigation processes are identified and implemented according to company procedures, legal requirements and established marine management practice
4 Monitor and control vessel expenditure
  • 4.1 Accrual accounting procedures are correctly used to monitor and control vessel expenditure and where relevant, vessel budget is prepared according to established vessel financial procedures and established accounting practice, with relevance to commercial market in which a vessel operates
  • 4.2 Plans and appropriate contingency procedures are developed to correct any variation from vessel budget and identified expenditure, and records are maintained according to established vessel financial procedures and established accounting practice
  • 4.3 Appropriate action is taken when expenditure varies from vessel budget according to contingency plans, company procedures and established accounting practice
5 Develop and implement vessel safety management system
  • 5.1 Vessel SMS is developed according to relevant maritime regulations and company procedures
  • 5.2 SMS safety procedures and related documentation are developed in collaboration with relevant vessel personnel
  • 5.3 SMS documentation structure and content is maintained according to requirements, and appropriate action is taken to ensure correct procedures are followed to obtain a safety management certificate according to maritime regulatory requirements
  • 5.4 Appropriate measures are taken to ensure all personnel on board vessel are familiar with SMS documentation, that familiarisation arrangements for new crew members are carried out, and that all personnel apply SMS procedures relevant to their functions
  • 5.5 Correct procedures are followed to obtain a safety management certificate according to maritime regulatory requirements
6 Monitor and control vessel physical resources
  • 6.1 Vessel inventory of plant, equipment and other physical resources is maintained accordance to company procedures, vessel survey requirements and established marine management practice
  • 6.2 Reports on status of vessel physical resources are prepared and submitted to relevant personnel within company and regulatory authorities according to company procedures, vessel survey requirements and established practice
7 Analyse and compile operational and voyage data
  • 7.1 Operational and voyage data is collected and compiled according to company practice, regulatory requirements and established marine management practice
  • 7.2 Voyage report is prepared and validated according to company procedures, vessel survey requirements and established marine management practice
  • 7.3 Voyage report is submitted to designated personnel according to company procedures, vessel survey requirements and established practice
8 Provide leadership to officers and crew
  • 8.1 Feedback and support are provided to crew on achievements and performance in their day-to-day work
  • 8.2 Crew are treated fairly, equitably, effectively and honestly in matters related to their day-to-day work
  • 8.3 Appropriate action is taken to prevent harassment and where it has occurred, harassment is dealt with promptly, effectively and fairly
  • 8.4 Crew suggestions for work improvements are listened to, acted upon and credit for achievements is shared with crew
  • 8.5 Good example is provided of a responsible, fair, sympathetic, equitable and diligent member of shipboard team
9 Allocate duties and maintain set standards of work on board vessel
  • 9.1 Work requirements and crew competencies required for work duties are identified and clarified
  • 9.2 Crew member competencies are assessed and confirmed, and duties are assigned to crew according to crew competencies and capabilities
  • 9.3 Competency deficiencies in personnel are identified and remedial action is initiated through counselling and training
  • 9.4 Crew members are advised of rostered duties and required performance standards are set in conjunction with crew members according to company procedures
  • 9.5 Crew members are motivated to achieve set standards of work performance using appropriate methods
  • 9.6 Performance of crew members is monitored as required using appropriate methods according to company procedures, performance assessments are discussed with relevant crew members and agreement is reached on appropriate action to be taken where performance is below set standards
10 Resolve conflict
  • 10.1 Conflict situations are recognised and issues are clarified with personnel involved
  • 10.2 Solutions to conflict are negotiated using appropriate mediation and conflict resolution techniques
11 Plan, organise, promote and evaluate shipboard training and assessment
  • 11.1 Workplace trainer and assessor requirements are identified and appropriate staff are trained and assigned as required
  • 11.2 Work related training opportunities are planned and organised for crew according to identified needs and company policy
  • 11.3 Shipboard drills are organised according to regulations and company procedures
  • 11.4 Assessment of crew members during and after training activities and shipboard drills is carried out to confirm required competencies and related knowledge have been acquired
  • 11.5 Crew members are debriefed after training, drill and assessment activities using appropriate methods and efficacy of training, drill and assessment activities is evaluated based on feedback from participating crew members and other relevant evidence
  • 11.6 Outcomes of evaluations of training and assessment are discussed with trainers and assessors, and appropriate action is taken to make required improvements
  • 11.7 Reports on training and assessment are evaluated and resultant action is maintained and/or entered into vessel log as required
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.
Vessel may include:
Vessels up to 500 GT (in the case of a Master or Chief Mate)
Vessels up to 3000 GT (in the case of a Watchkeeper)
Vessels up to 3000 GT (in the case of a Master or Chief Mate) operating in near coastal operations
Vessel operations may include:
Berthing and unberthing
Bridge operations
Cargo handling and care
Catering operations
Commercial operations (Australian and international regulations and conventions)
Deck operations and maintenance
Emergency and damage control operations
Engine room operations and maintenance
Mooring operations
Navigation
Passenger service operations
Personnel training
Pollution control operations
Radio operations
Safety/emergency drills
Slipping operations
State port control
Laws and regulations pertaining to vessel operations and contingencies may include:
Agency
Customs and quarantine
Deaths and disappearances
Drugs
Immigration
Marine pollution (Australian laws and IMO conventions)
Operational safety (Australian regulations and IMO conventions)
Security and anti-terrorism
Smuggling and piracy
Stowaways and refugees
Wrecks, salvage and towage
Vessel inventory of plant, equipment and other physical resources may include:
Recording resources that are:
faulty
worn
damaged
Vessel physical resources may include:
Accommodation equipment and facilities
Bridge equipment and resources
Catering equipment and facilities
Documents and certification
Engine room propulsion plant and equipment and related auxiliary systems
Navigation charts, marine publications, manufacturer manuals and other reference documentation
Radio equipment and facilities
Tools and maintenance equipment
Vessel deck equipment, fittings and related systems
Vessel structures and fittings
Training may include:
Distance learning for shipboard personnel
Onboard:
group training activities
individual instruction
Shipboard drills required by regulations or company policies
Shore-based training for shipboard personnel

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
taking action promptly to report and/or rectify management problems according to established procedures
completing work systematically with required attention to detail
developing effective planning documents
providing high quality reports
ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge
providing accurate and reliable information.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where managing business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate managing business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.