Elements and Performance Criteria

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 in maintaining the stability of a small vessel. It involves the application of basic principles of vessel stability when operating a small vessel within a range of predictable operational and emergency contexts.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any small commercial vessel up to 24 metres in length engaged on a coastal voyage.

Measures to control the stability of the vessel may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and loading
while loading and unloading
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring.

Factors that may have an adverse effect on small vessel stability which require special precautions and stability management include:
effects of suspended weights when using cargo or fishing gear to load and discharge heavy weights
dangers on board a fishing vessel when clearing a net which is caught fast on an underwater obstruction
free surface effects
water on the deck
bilging
poor security of cargo stowage
movement of heavy items or stores and equipment on board vessel
flooding in the event of damage to the hull
alterations to the structure/construction of the vessel
use and replenishment of consumables during a voyage such as fuel, food, etc.

Means of managing the stability of a small vessel include:
closing openings
taking precautions during vessel operations that potentially alter the stress and stability conditions of the vessel
taking precautions when using lifting equipment and associated gear
managing the position, stowage and lashing of cargo, stores and equipment
action to avoid or minimise cargo shift during a voyage
managing the distribution of load on vessel
ballast management
damage control measures to maintain, stabilise or restore the watertight integrity of the hull during an emergency.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
operational orders
vessel's stability data book
relevant maritime regulations
vessel's log
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:
sections of the Australian USL Code dealing with small vessel stability
relevant Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Manage the stability of a small vessel:
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
when loading and unloading
when underway
in berthing and unberthing operations
when anchoring or mooring
Communicate effectively with others concerning operations to maintain the stability of the vessel.

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 small commercial vessel up to 24 metres in length engaged on coastal voyages.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant maritime regulations
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Basic stability theory including:
principles of stability
terms and definitions
basic physics of stability
relationship between weight and buoyancy in relation to floating bodies
reserve buoyancy
equilibrium
impact of design and hull shape on stability
Principle design features of small vessels related to stability and watertight integrity, including:
principal parts of a small vessel and their function in relation to its stability and its structural and watertight integrity
advantages and disadvantages of various materials used in the construction of small vessels
openings in the hull and on the main deck of a small vessel and the safe working practices that must be followed to maintain watertight integrity
maintenance and survey requirements necessary to maintain the watertight integrity of a small vessel
The principal factors which affect the operational stability of a small vessel and the related measures that can be taken to maintain stability, including:
adding and removing weights
water on deck
slack tanks
roll period
stiff and tender vessel
additions and alterations to vessel
An understanding of the information contained in the basic stability data book supplied to each small vessel and how this information is used to maintain the vessel in a stable condition during operations
Effects of density of sea water on the draught and freeboard of a small vessel
Factors which affect the rolling period of a small vessel
Relationship between light displacement, loaded displacement and deadweight tonnage
Differences between transverse and longitudinal stability and the causes of list and trim
Conditions of stable, neutral and unstable equilibrium and the effects of disturbing a vessel from the upright
Steps involved in bringing an unstable vessel to a stable condition
Actions to be taken to contain flooding in the event of underwater damage to the hull
Effects on the stability of a small vessel that has been 'bilged'
Problems that may occur concerning the stability of small vessels up to 24 metres engaged on coastal voyages and appropriate precautionary/remedial action and solutions
Maritime communication techniques

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to maintain stability of a small vessel in a range of operational situations, and/or
maintain the stability of a small vessel in a range of operational situations either:
using an appropriate small vessel simulator over an appropriate range of simulated stability situations
in appropriate practical situations during seatime on an operational commercial or training small vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
managing the stability and stresses of a small vessel
identifying and stability problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for the management of the stability of a vessel
applying safety precautions relevant to the maintenance of the stability of a small vessel
assessing the stability of vessel in both normal and emergency situations using basic stability data.

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 vessel manufacturer's guidelines relating to the stability of the small vessel
procedures to protect the integrity and security of the vessel's hull
environmental protection procedures when pumping ballast and bilge water.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify factors adversely affecting the stability of the small vessel.

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.