Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations and IMO Conventions and Codes including the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and ensuring that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by IMO, the classification societies and maritime industry organisations are taken into account.

Work is performed relatively independently within broad operational requirements, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the application of a significant range of fundamental nautical principles and manoeuvring techniques in normal operational contexts. Ability to implement the plan for vessel operations is required. Defined accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Manoeuvres may be carried out:
by day or night in normal operational situations
under normal and adverse conditions of sea and weather
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring.

Manoeuvres may include:
berthing and unberthing
mooring or anchoring
handling vessel in shallow water, rivers, estuaries and restricted waters
navigating in and near 'traffic separation schemes' and 'vessel traffic service areas'
use of propulsion and manoeuvring systems
dragging an anchor and clearing a foul anchor.

Special handling techniques required may include:
launching rescue boats and survival craft
taking on board survivors from rescue boats and survival craft
manoeuvring to rescue a person overboard
keeping an unmanageable vessel out of the trough of the sea
lessening drift
using oil.

Sources of information / documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
operational orders
navigational charts
IMO STCW 95 Convention and Code
AMSA Marine Orders
vessel's log
vessel's operational plan
company procedures
vessel 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 related to vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
SOLAS Convention
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Manoeuvre the vessel
safely in both normal situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
when underway
in berthing and unberthing operations
when anchoring or mooring
Exercise all required safety and hazard control procedures when manoeuvring the vessel
Identify typical manoeuvring problems and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during manoeuvring operations.

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 an officer in charge of a navigational watch on a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention s and AMSA Marine Orders applicable for vessels of 500 gross tonnage and more
Relevant OH&S legislation and policies
Limits of responsibility of an officer-in charge of-the-watch on a vessel of 500 gross tonnage and more
Methods for controlling vessel speed and direction
Procedures for turning a vessel in various situations including:
constant rate of turn techniques
turning a vessel 'short turn around'
turning a vessel on a reciprocal track in an emergency
procedures for the use of rate of turn indicators for the safe handling of the vessel
Manoeuvring and engine characteristics for various types of vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more, including stopping distances and turning circles at various draughts, speeds and loading
Effects of deadweight, draught, trim, speed and under-keel clearance on turning circles and stopping distances
Squat, shallow water and similar effects on vessel's handling
Effects on vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography
Manoeuvring problems for vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more and appropriate action and solutions
Manoeuvring procedures in and near 'traffic separation schemes' and 'vessel traffic service areas'
Procedures for berthing operations
Procedures for anchoring operations, including:
preparations to be made on deck for anchoring a vessel
functions and operation of windlass and capstan
methods of clearing a fouled anchor or hawse
methods of hanging off an anchor
methods of slipping a cable
causes and signs of anchor dragging
arrangements for stowing and securing anchors and cables
care and maintenance of anchors, cables and anchor lockers
Procedures for the rigging and maintenance of personnel and pilot passageways during vessel manoeuvres
Maritime communication techniques, including issuing of helm and engine orders and tug communications.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
operate a vessel simulator, meeting the requirements of Section A I/12 of the IMO STCW 95 Code, over an appropriate range of simulated manoeuvring situations, weather and loading conditions; and/or
manoeuvre a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more in an appropriate range of situations, weather and loading conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
completing manoeuvring operations
identifying and evaluating manoeuvring problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to manoeuvring procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to manoeuvring operations
assessing operational capability of vessel and manoeuvring plant and equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention and AMSA Marine Orders
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
following on-board housekeeping procedures.

Action taken promptly to report manoeuvring accidents and incidents.

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.