Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant maritime regulations.

Work is performed within a defined range of operations and routine procedures, with responsibility for own outputs and some responsibility for others. It involves the conduct of routine procedures for the planning of cargo loading and unloading operations onboard a vessel and the specification of solutions to a defined range of typical cargo loading and unloading situations. Some discretion and judgement is required in anticipating and allowing for possible cargo loading and unloading problems, safety hazards and contingencies and the actions to be taken in these eventualities.

Worksite environment
Cargo loading and unloading plan may relate to any Australian commercial vessel up to 80 metres in length.

Cargo loading and unloading operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather
at various shoreside loading and discharge terminals.

Types of cargo may include:
general cargo
containers
various types of solid bulk materials
various types of bulk liquids
special and abnormal cargo such as:
refrigerated cargo and containers
pig iron, ingots and steel billets
mineral concentrates
dangerous or hazardous cargo
extra heavy cargo.

Cargo handling equipment may include:
block and tackle
single swinging derricks
union purchase derricks
ship-board cranes
terminal based cranes
pumps, valves and hoses.

Cargo handling hazards may include:
faulty cargo handling equipment
damaged cargo
cargo handling operations in poor weather or sea conditions
incorrectly stowed cargo
incorrectly lashed or secured cargo
using equipment beyond safe working limits
non-compliance with safe working procedures.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
relevant regulations
cargo handling operational orders and instructions
relevant sections of Australian USL Code
vessel / shore safety checklist
cargo handling procedures
cargo handling equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Plan cargo loading and unloading operations across a representative range of typical cargo handling contexts for a vessel up to 80 metres in length
Ensure compliance with all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when planning the handling of cargo during loading/unloading and stowage operations
Identify typical cargo handling problems and hazards and plan for appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others when developing a cargo operations plan.

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 master of a vessel of up to 80 metres in length.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of relevant regulations
Relevant OH&S and cargo handling legislation and policies
Procedures and documentation required in the event of a safety incident during cargo operations
Typical operational characteristics of different types of ship-board and terminal-based cargo handling and securing equipment and facilities
Methods for handling various types of cargo including purchases and tackle
Basic ways of restricting vessel's stress levels within permitted limits during cargo operations on a small vessel
Effects of different types of cargo operations on vessel's trim and stability
Procedures for calculating the maximum deadweight available to a vessel that needs to subsequently enter various seasonal loadline zones
Procedures for calculating the stresses on lifting gear used in cargo handling operations
Typical cargo handling hazards and problems and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions
Effects on cargo handling of wind and weather
Cargo identification codes including IMDG code and Bulk Cargo Code
Ballast management issues and procedures
Typical types and sizes of shipping containers
Basic procedures for determining a vessel's displacement by draught survey
Factors that affect the reading of a vessel's draught
Procedures for determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash cargo
Basic procedures for calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
Cargo handling communication techniques
Cargo handling documentation requirements including documentation to limit claims on cargo carried.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
monitor and supervise suitably-simulated cargo loading / unloading operations over an appropriate range of cargo handling situations, weather and operational conditions; and/or
monitor and supervise the actual cargo loading / unloading operations of a vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
planning cargo loading and unloading operations
identifying and evaluating cargo handling problems and determining appropriate courses of action
determining stress levels that may occur during cargo loading and unloading operations
assessing operational capability of cargo handling equipment
specifying safety precautions to be used during cargo loading and unloading operations.

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 manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of cargo handling machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify accidents and safety incidents in accordance with statutory requirements and company 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.