Assessor Resource

MARF1001A
Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to deck and engine workers working in the maritime industry on vessels up to 80 metres. They could be working independently or as part of a vessel crew.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment.

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:

donning a lifejacket in water

ensuring behaviour reflects statutory requirements pertaining to lifesaving appliances

locating survivors in simulated darkness

swimming in a lifejacket for a minimum of 50 metres

towing with a life jacket for a minimum of 25 metres

remaining afloat without a lifejacket for at least 10 minutes

assisting a survivor to don a lifejacket

maintaining a group huddle for at least 10 minutes

swimming in a group congo line for a minimum of 50 metres

holding heat escape lessening posture for at least 10 minutes.

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 applying basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment can 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 applying basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment

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:

Collect, manage and interpret information on use of lifesaving equipment and procedures to be followed when order to abandon vessel is given

Communicate effectively with other personnel and passengers during simulated and actual abandon vessel musters and emergencies

Determine type and extent of emergency and appropriate survival action to be taken

Don various lifejacket and other lifesaving apparel

Identify signs of hypothermia and provide appropriate treatment

Operate radio equipment

Plan timing and sequence of individual survival actions to be appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions of emergency, and minimise potential dangers and threats to other survivors

Read and interpret instructions on emergency procedures, safety management systems and plans, and use of lifesaving and survival equipment

Recognise and interpret muster signals appropriately for indicated emergency

Swim in a lifejacket

Use handheld pyrotechnics

Required Knowledge:

Action to be taken in an emergency situation

Appropriate survival techniques

Construction, outfit and particular characteristics of various types of applicable survival equipment

Emergency muster and abandon vessel signals

Emergencies that may lead to vessel abandonment

Established safety practice and procedures

First aid techniques

Importance of being ready for any shipboard emergency including using lifesaving equipment

Initial actions for survival on vessel abandonment

Location of:

lifesaving appliances on a vessel

survival equipment on vessel

Maintenance of lifesaving appliances

Maritime communication techniques

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

purpose

use

Procedures for correctly operating and using lifesaving appliances and PPE on board vessels and survival craft, and specifically:

donning a lifejacket, and using a lifejacket light and whistle

using handheld pyrotechnics

Procedures for:

abandoning vessel

emergency response on board vessels, including abandoning vessel

Regulatory requirements and company procedures for musters and drills

Relevant manufacturer guidelines relating to operating and using survival equipment, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations

Relevant maritime regulations related to required survival equipment on a vessel

Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and policies including SMS, plans, processes and techniques

Standard safety symbols

Steps to be taken after collision, grounding or other marine casualty and resulting hull damage

Survival techniques with a swamped, semi submerged tender or dingy

Survival at sea techniques

Symptoms of hypothermia, its prevention and treatment and related use of protective covers and garments

Techniques for using survival equipment

Threats to survival after abandoning vessel and:

appropriate strategies for countering these threats

how to minimise dangers

Use of distress signals and penalty for misuse

Value of training and emergency drills for enhancing chances of survival at sea

Ways of maximising detect-ability using pyrotechnic distress signals, portable VHF radios, satellite EPIRBs

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.

Survival equipment may include:

EPIRBs

Flares

Immersion suit

Life jackets

Person overboard combination light and smoke float

Search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

Survival craft

Radio equipment may include:

HF

VHF

Lifesaving and survival equipment may include:

Immersion suit

Lifebuoy

Personal floatation devices

Certificates and documentation may include:

Instructions for use of lifesaving equipment

Pyrotechnic expiry dates

Record of inspection of equipment

Emergency alarms and types of alarm systems may include:

Electronic alarms

Muster and abandon vessel alarms

Verbal communication

In-water survival techniques may include:

Floating with or without a lifejacket

Heat loss techniques

Swimming with a lifejacket

Threats to survival may include:

Dehydration

Hypothermia

Ingestion of seawater

Rescue craft may include:

Another vessel

Helicopter

Pyrotechnic and distress signals may include:

Orange smoke flare

Red handheld flare

Risks and hazards may include:

Expired pyrotechnics

Inaccessible lifejackets

No defined abandon ship procedures established

Poorly maintained equipment

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
Nature of emergency is determined to minimise potential dangers and threats 
Muster and abandon vessel signals are responded to according to vessel safety procedures 
Survival equipment is organised to maximise chances of survival 
Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is operated to transmit distress signal 
Distress calls are made using radio equipment on distress call frequency, if time allows, to communicate the nature of the emergency 
Others are assisted to maximise their chances of survival 
Relevant maritime legislation is identified, accessed and reviewed 
Safety requirements for a range of near coastal vessels are identified, accessed and reviewed 
Lifesaving and survival equipment required on board a near coastal vessel is accurately identified 
Lifesaving equipment on board is checked and confirmed as serviceable 
Lifesaving and survival equipment certificates and documentation are checked for validity 
Vessel safety management systems (SMS) and plans are located, interpreted and applied 
Typical emergency alarms and types of alarm systems are accurately identified 
Need to abandon vessel is determined according to established safety practice and procedures 
In-water survival techniques are implemented according to established safety practice and procedures 
Threats to survival are identified and treatment options are outlined 
Lookout for vessels and aircraft is maintained and distress signals are released on sighting 
During an emergency, work is carried out collaboratively with other shipboard personnel and passengers as required 
During emergency and survival situations, appropriate communication skills and techniques are implemented 
Instructions given by rescue personnel to safely access rescue craft are followed 
Range of pyrotechnic and distress signals are operated according to established safety practice and procedures 
Survival equipment is operated according to instructions and accepted survival practice 
Survival radio equipment is operated according to manufacturer instructions and regulatory protocols 
Lifejackets and other lifesaving equipment is operated and used according to instructions 
Regulatory requirements and company procedures for musters and drills are identified and implemented 
Actions required for a range of muster signals are correctly identified 
Action is taken promptly to address problems that may arise when following vessel abandonment procedures 
Risks and hazards that may occur when abandoning vessel are identified and minimised according to SMS, and established safety practice and procedures 
Information relevant to use of lifesaving equipment is accessed and correctly interpreted 
Range of emergencies that may lead to vessel abandonment are outlined 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MARF1001A - Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

MARF1001A - Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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