Assessor Resource

MARH006
Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to forecast weather and oceanographic conditions during a near coastal voyage and to take appropriate actions based on predictions.

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

This unit has links to legislative and certification requirements.

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


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Interpret weather and oceanographic information

1.1

Ocean and weather conditions are observed and interpreted

1.2

Measurements of current local, meteorological and oceanographic parameters are made and recorded using appropriate shipboard instruments

1.3

Weather charts and satellite images are acquired and interpreted

1.4

Weather reports are obtained and interpreted

2

Use information to predict local weather and oceanographic conditions

2.1

Forecasts of local weather and oceanographic conditions are correctly made using available information

2.2

Wave height and swell forecast is made using available information

2.3

Effects of local topographical features on wind flow and weather conditions are estimated using available information

2.4

Potentially dangerous conditions are identified and appropriate action is taken to secure vessel

3

Maintain records of weather and oceanographic information and forecasts

3.1

Weather and oceanographic information and forecasts are recorded and filed according to organisational procedures

3.2

Action on vessel operations initiated as a result of weather and oceanographic forecasts is documented according to organisational procedures

3.3

Meteorological charts, publications and related documentation are updated and stored according to organisational procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

ensuring currency of relevant reference material

observing, interpreting and forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

reading, interpreting and applying weather and oceanographic information

recognising problems that may occur when interpreting weather and oceanographic information

selecting and using shipboard instruments to assist in forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

supporting reasons for intended action with statistical data and observations of actual conditions

using tide tables to calculate height of tide.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

basic principles for making meteorological and oceanographic measurements

effects on navigation and vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography

heat exchange process

principles and procedures of weather forecasting using information obtained from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and instruments

procedures for filing and maintaining weather and oceanographic information

procedures to be followed during gale conditions and tropical revolving storms

sources of weather and oceanographic information, and methods for their interpretation

topographical effects on wind flow

typical problems in forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

vertical division of the atmosphere

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

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

Resources for assessment must include access to:

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations.

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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Interpret weather and oceanographic information

1.1

Ocean and weather conditions are observed and interpreted

1.2

Measurements of current local, meteorological and oceanographic parameters are made and recorded using appropriate shipboard instruments

1.3

Weather charts and satellite images are acquired and interpreted

1.4

Weather reports are obtained and interpreted

2

Use information to predict local weather and oceanographic conditions

2.1

Forecasts of local weather and oceanographic conditions are correctly made using available information

2.2

Wave height and swell forecast is made using available information

2.3

Effects of local topographical features on wind flow and weather conditions are estimated using available information

2.4

Potentially dangerous conditions are identified and appropriate action is taken to secure vessel

3

Maintain records of weather and oceanographic information and forecasts

3.1

Weather and oceanographic information and forecasts are recorded and filed according to organisational procedures

3.2

Action on vessel operations initiated as a result of weather and oceanographic forecasts is documented according to organisational procedures

3.3

Meteorological charts, publications and related documentation are updated and stored according to organisational procedures

Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Ocean and weather conditions must include:

air masses and fronts

cloud classifications

cyclones, storms and gales

ocean currents

pressure systems and cold fronts

sea state

tide prediction

Shipboard instruments include one or more of the following:

barograph

barometers

equipment for receiving weather maps and forecasts

wet and dry bulb thermometers

Appropriate action includes one or more of the following:

avoiding storm centres and dangerous quadrants by adjusting course and speed

ensuring all vessel equipment is properly secured

taking action to avoid extreme adverse weather conditions

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

ensuring currency of relevant reference material

observing, interpreting and forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

reading, interpreting and applying weather and oceanographic information

recognising problems that may occur when interpreting weather and oceanographic information

selecting and using shipboard instruments to assist in forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

supporting reasons for intended action with statistical data and observations of actual conditions

using tide tables to calculate height of tide.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

basic principles for making meteorological and oceanographic measurements

effects on navigation and vessel handling of wind, currents and bottom topography

heat exchange process

principles and procedures of weather forecasting using information obtained from observations, charts, satellite images, reports and instruments

procedures for filing and maintaining weather and oceanographic information

procedures to be followed during gale conditions and tropical revolving storms

sources of weather and oceanographic information, and methods for their interpretation

topographical effects on wind flow

typical problems in forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions

vertical division of the atmosphere

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

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

Resources for assessment must include access to:

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations.
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
Ocean and weather conditions are observed and interpreted 
Measurements of current local, meteorological and oceanographic parameters are made and recorded using appropriate shipboard instruments 
Weather charts and satellite images are acquired and interpreted 
Weather reports are obtained and interpreted 
Forecasts of local weather and oceanographic conditions are correctly made using available information 
Wave height and swell forecast is made using available information 
Effects of local topographical features on wind flow and weather conditions are estimated using available information 
Potentially dangerous conditions are identified and appropriate action is taken to secure vessel 
Weather and oceanographic information and forecasts are recorded and filed according to organisational procedures 
Action on vessel operations initiated as a result of weather and oceanographic forecasts is documented according to organisational procedures 
Meteorological charts, publications and related documentation are updated and stored according to organisational procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MARH006 - Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions
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

MARH006 - Forecast weather and oceanographic conditions

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: