Assessor Resource

MARA4001A
Manage loading, discharging and stowage of cargo

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of Master on a range of vessels up to 80 metres.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage the loading, discharging and stowage of cargo to prevent damage or deterioration and to deliver it, as far as is possible, in as good a condition and order as it was when received aboard.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

developing effective planning documents

producing reliable documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

industry-approved marine operations site where managing the loading, discharging and stowing of cargo on a vessel up to 80 metres may be conducted

tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments

appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment

Practical assessment must occur in an:

appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or

appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

direct observation of the candidate managing the loading, discharging and stowing of cargo on a vessel up to 80 metres

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required Skills:

Identify and solve problems related to loading, stowage, security and unloading of cargo

Interpret stability manual and ensure stability calculations are within appropriate parameters for proposed cargo operation

Monitor use of equipment involved in loading, stowage, security and unloading of cargo

Read, interpret and apply instructions, regulations, procedures and information relevant to loading, stowage, security and unloading of cargo

Required Knowledge:

Ballast management issues and procedures

Cargo handling documentation requirements

Container position numbering

Design of vessel hold

Effects on cargo handling of sea conditions, wind and weather

Effects of different types of cargo operations on vessel trim and stability

Effects upon stability during loading and discharging operations including heeling moments from gear and loads

Homogenous loading

Main stresses set up by cargo, hogging, sagging and shearing

Methods of;

handling various types of cargo

caring for various types of cargo

Operational characteristics of different types of shipboard and terminal-based cargo handling equipment and facilities

Principles of cargo care

Procedures for carrying out calculations involving weights, capacities, stowage factors, load densities

Relevant sections of applicable maritime regulations

Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and cargo handling legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures

Standard stowage position numbering systems used on container vessels

Static and dynamic loads

Types of lashing devices

Typical cargo handling problems and hazards, and appropriate preventative and remedial actions and solutions

Typical types and sizes of shipping containers

Usual methods of packing, loading and discharging, stowage, dunnaging etc.

Use of cargo handling gear including purchases and tackles

Various types of cargo likely to be carried; their peculiar characteristics, liability to damage, decay or deterioration; their measurements; their hazards and problems, and appropriate preventative and remedial action and solutions

Ways of restricting vessel stress levels within permitted levels within permitted limits during loading/discharging cargo

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Cargo may include:

Bulk cargo

Containerised cargo

Deck cargo

Liquid cargo

Refrigerated cargo

Any other material, equipment or machinery that may be safely handled and stowed on the vessel

Hazardous materials/dangerous goods may include:

Any cargo described in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code as hazardous or dangerous

Cargo handling gear and equipment may include:

Cargo pumps

Cranes

Derricks

Grabs

Hooks, wires and shackles

Slings

Cargo stowage plan must include:

Cargo weight

Correct description and stowage of hazardous and dangerous goods

Description of cargo to be loaded

Load/discharge port

Segregation of non compatible cargo

Ballast management problems may include:

Confirmation that the stowage plan conforms to stability requirements at all stages of loading and discharging

Contaminated ballast

Failure of ballast pumps

Cargo-related incidents or emergencies may include:

Cargo handling gear failure

Cargo shift

Leakage

Spontaneous combustion

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Loading manual is interpreted to determine operational loading conditions 
Still water shear forces and bending moments in any load or ballast condition are known and not exceeded 
Load is planned to ensure stresses in vessel are minimised by evenly distributing cargo 
Load is planned to avoid incompatible cargo stowage 
Regulations relating to hazardous materials/dangerous goods are observed, where appropriate 
Load is planned for unloading sequence 
Vessel cargo carrying capacity is not exceeded for appropriate load line 
Vessel trim is calculated to allow for optimum vessel performance at sea 
Available port/vessel cargo handling gear and equipment is determined 
Handling capacity of cargo handling gear and equipment is established 
Pumping capacity of cargo pumps is verified 
Availability and status of human resources is resolved 
Cargo manifest is made available 
Cargo stowage plan is completed and agreed with stevedores 
Stability calculation is made and checked against vessel stability information manual 
Notice of readiness to load/unload is provided 
Holds are checked to ensure they are clean, dry and free of smell 
Safety arrangements in holds are verified to ensure they are operational 
Supplies of dunnage and mats are reviewed to ensure there are sufficient available 
Bilges are covered with tarpaulins/wrappers before loading 
Checks are made to ensure cargo is correctly identified, inspected and confirmed against documentation 
Preparations for loading are monitored according to stowage plan and organisational procedures 
 
Instructions are given to crew and stevedores involved in cargo loading/unloading according to cargo stowage plan 
Compliance with regulations, procedures and instructions pertaining to type of cargo being handled is managed during loading/unloading operations 
Loading/unloading is monitored to ensure loading rate is not exceeded in the case of bulk or liquid cargo 
Vessel stability is observed during loading/unloading operations 
Loading/unloading operations are checked against stowage plan 
Cargo is secured and lashed according to lashing plan 
All cargo handling documentation is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements 
Ballast discharge requirements of port authority are complied with 
Ballast management activities are monitored according to organisational procedures and port authority requirements 
Ballast management problems are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risk to the environment 
Vessel plan for care of cargo during the voyage is implemented according to organisational and customer requirements, and relevant regulations 
Ventilation and humidity control systems are checked 
Action required to maintain the wellbeing of cargo during the voyage is initiated according to customer requirements and organisational procedures 
Compliance with safety and hazard minimisation procedures and regulations related to cargo care is managed at all times during the voyage to maintain safety of personnel, cargo and vessel 
Appropriate action is taken in the event of a cargo-related incident or emergency to rectify problem, secure cargo and maintain safety of vessel and personnel 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MARA4001A - Manage loading, discharging and stowage of cargo
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MARA4001A - Manage loading, discharging and stowage of cargo

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: