Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulations, codes and conventions.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of interpretation of meteorological information, observations, reports and instrument measurements to the forecasting of weather and ocean conditions.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Sources of weather and oceanographic data may include:
measurements using appropriate instruments
observations of local weather and ocean conditions and cloud formations
weather charts
visible and infra red satellite images
weather reports
tide tables and/or diagrams
information on the effects of local topographical features on windflow and weather.

Instruments may include:
air and sea thermometers
barometers
hydrometers
anemometers
wind strength and direction instruments
instruments for measuring sea swell height, direction and period.

Meteorological and oceanographic parameters may include:
atmospheric pressure
pressure gradient
air temperature
relative humidity
wind strength
wind direction
swell height, direction and period
visibility
cloud cover.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
navigational charts of coastal waters
meteorological and oceanographic publications
coastal weather reports
annual and weekly notices to mariners
'Nautical Almanac'
navigational warning records
relevant regulations, codes and conventions
ship's log
company procedures
ship manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
USL Code
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Make relevant measurements of meteorological and oceanographic parameters
Acquire and interpret relevant weather and oceanographic information from appropriate sources
Use available weather and oceanographic information to make a local forecast of weather and oceanographic conditions
Take appropriate action to adjust vessel operations based on a local forecast of weather and oceanographic conditions.

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 the master of a commercial vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations, codes and conventions
Principles and procedures of weather forecasting using information obtained from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and instruments including:
vertical division of the atmosphere
air masses and fronts
cloud classifications
heat exchange process
synoptic chart analysis
pressure systems, cold and warm fronts
cyclones, storms and gales
tropical meteorology
ocean currents
weather data provided by shipboard instruments
sea state
tide prediction
use of tide tables
Basic principles and procedures for making meteorological and oceanographic measurements using appropriate instruments and interpreting and deciphering the results
Procedures for the calculation of the height of tide for a given time at any place listed using tide tables
Procedures for making a wave forecast
Procedures for predicting topographical effects on wind flow
Effects on navigation and shiphandling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Typical problems in the forecasting of weather and oceanographic information and appropriate action and solutions
Sources of weather and oceanographic reports and methods for their interpretation
Procedures for the application of forecast of likely weather and oceanic conditions to vessel operations
Procedures to be followed during gale conditions and cyclones including the means of securing a vessel in a cyclone
Procedures for filing and handling weather and oceanographic reports, records of observations and instrument readings
Maritime communication techniques.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
a range of suitably simulated practical and knowledge assignments and exercises that demonstrate the ability to collect appropriate weather and oceanographic data from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and basic measurements and make forecasts of local weather and oceanographic conditions, and/or
collect weather and oceanographic data from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and basic measurements and make forecasts of local weather and oceanographic conditions when on an operational commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
observing weather and ocean conditions
using shipboard instruments to collect basic meteorological and oceanographic data
obtaining and deciphering weather and oceanographic data collected from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and basic measurements
forecasting weather and ocean conditions and applying the forecasts to vessel operations
identifying and evaluating weather forecasting problems and determining appropriate solutions.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace and regulatory procedures including:
relevant regulations, codes and conventions
job procedures and instructions on the use of meteorological instruments, reports and observations and the forecasting of local weather and oceanographic conditions
use of relevant meteorological publications and charts
procedures for the storage and maintenance of meteorological publications and charts.

Action is taken promptly to report and act upon adverse weather forecasts 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.