Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
a. Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant sections of USL Code, NSCV and guidance published by Marine Authorities and (where relevant) the AMSA Marine Orders and IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention.
b. Work is performed under the direction of the Master as a Watchkeeper on a small domestic vessel in accordance with defined operational requirements, with some accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of look out and observational techniques across a variety of operational contexts. Following of orders and instructions of the Master is required.

Worksite environment
a. Vessel is restricted to an Australian domestic vessel only
b. Watchkeeping arrangements and procedures may be implemented:
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
b.6. while in port
b.7. while moored or at anchor
c. Watchkeeping principles include:
c.1. proper lookout must be maintained at all times
c.2. management of the steering and heading of the vessel
c.3. look-out must give full attention to keeping a proper look out and must not carry out other duties which could interfere with the task
c.4. all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid pollution of the marine environment
c.5. appropriate assistance must be available to be summoned to the bridge if required by a change in the vessel's situation
d. Fatigue management strategies may include:
d.1. recognition of symptoms of fatigue
d.2. arranging to take a break when symptoms of fatigue are identified
d.3. maintenance of personal fitness and health
d.4. appropriate dietary habits
d.5. avoidance of excessive consumption of alcohol prior to watchkeeping duties
e. Emergencies may include:
e.1. fire
e.2. stranding
e.3. possible collision
e.4. heavy weather
e.5. synchronous rolling
e.6. distress signal
e.7. failure of bridge equipment, steering equipment, navigational lights
e.8. loss of main engines or propulsion controls
e.9. man overboard
e.10. fog and restricted visibility
e.11. cargo shift
e.12. retrieval of survivors from the water
e.13. loss of watertight integrity
e.14. intoxicated persons on board a vessel
e.15. dragging anchor
e.16. fouled hawse
e.17. loss of mooring lines or winches when berthing
e.18. entry into confined spaces
e.19. personnel working aloft or overside
e.20. sudden list or loll
e.21. cyclones

Sources of information/documents
a. Sources of information and documentation may include:
a.1. Safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
a.2. orders and instructions of the officer on watch
a.3. procedures for reporting emergencies and observations to the Master
a.4. instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
a.5. relevant Australian standards

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
a. Applicable regulations and legislation may include:
a.1. USL Code
a.2. NSCV
a.3. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
a.4. 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. Contribute to watch keeping arrangements and procedures
a.2. Fulfil responsibilities of watchkeeper during a watch
a.3. Report observations and other emergency situations arising during a watch
a.4. Communicate effectively with others in the course of watchkeeping duties

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 watchkeeper on a small domestic vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
a. Relevant Marine & OH&S legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
b. Wheelhouse procedures on board a vessel
c. Functions and responsibilities of the members of a wheelhouse team onboard a vessel
d. Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch
e. Procedures for the use of internal communications and alarm systems
f. Factors that can affect watchkeeping functions
g. Causes of groundings, collisions and casualties when on board a vessel
h. Navigational hazards and implications for watchkeeping
i. Typical watchkeeping problems and emergency situations and appropriate action and solutions
j. Bridge instrumentation, controls and alarms relevant to the functions of a watchkeeper
k. Functions of machinery space controls, alarms and indicators
l. Rudder and propeller control automated steering systems and vessel manoeuvring characteristics
m. Signs of fatigue
n. Fatigue management principles and techniques
o. Basic environmental protection measures
p. Maritime communication techniques onboard a vessel
q. Procedures for the calculation of height and time of high and low water at places listed in tide tables.

Resource implications
a. Access is required to opportunities to either:
a.1. demonstrate the ability to contribute to a safe watch in range of suitably-simulated of watchkeeping situations relevant to the role of a watchkeeper on a small commercial vessel; and/or
a.2. contribute to maintaining a safe watch as a watchkeeper on a commercial vessel in an appropriate range of situations and weather and sea conditions

Consistency in performance
a. Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
a.1 carrying out watchkeeping duties
a.2 identifying watchkeeping problems and reporting them to the Master
a.3 applying safety precautions relevant to the role of watchkeeper
a.4 reporting observations and other potentially dangerous situations to the Master
a.5 communicating effectively with the Master in matters relevant to watchkeeping duties
b. Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
b.1 Ship's Safety Management System and procedures
b.2 OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
b.3 job procedures and work instructions
b.4 relevant guidelines relating to the role of watchkeeper on board a vessel
b.5 bridge housekeeping processes
c. Action taken promptly to report watchkeeping incidents in accordance with established 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