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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan passage
  2. Conduct a pre-departure check
  3. Conduct passage
  4. Fix vessel position

Range Statement

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.

Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation include one or more of the following:

electronic chart display and information systems (ECDISs)

Notice to Mariners

paper charts

temporary warning notices

tide tables

weather reports and warnings

Navigational hazards include one or more of the following:

ice

restricted visibility

shoals and reefs

traffic

unlit beacons

Weather includes one or more of the following:

air masses and fronts

cloud classifications

cyclones, storms and gales

effects of weather on predicted tidal information

heat exchange process

ocean currents

pressure systems, cold and warm fronts

sea state

synoptic chart analysis

tropical meteorology

vertical division of atmosphere

weather data provided by shipboard instruments

Propulsion steering equipment and alarms include one or more of the following:

engine alarms

inboard engines, petrol and diesel

jet propulsion

off-course alarms

outboard engines, petrol and diesel

radar range alarms

Wheelhouse equipment includes one or more of the following:

alarm devices including off-course and watch alarms

automatic identification system (AIS)

automatic pilot

azimuth mirrors

bilge alarms

coverage areas

depth alarms

differential global positioning system (DGPS)

echo sounder

electronic charts

global positioning system (GPS)

hyperbolic systems

magnetic and gyro compasses

plotters

radar

satellite technology

speed and distance log

Safety equipment must include:

distress flares/pyrotechnics

electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)

firefighting equipment

life jackets

life rafts and hydrostatic release systems

search and rescue transponder (SART)

Communications equipment includes one or more of the following:

HF radio

VHF radio

Anchoring and mooring equipment includes one or more of the following:

anchor

mooring lines

sea anchors

Passage plan must include:

anticipated weather conditions

completed Australian Ship Reporting System (AUSREP) reports as applicable

courses to steer or knowledge of navigation markers during passage

depths of water throughout passage

estimated time of arrival (ETA) at destination

tidal information

Mode of steering includes one or more of the following:

automatic pilot

electric systems

hydraulic systems

Conditions include one or more of the following:

buoyage

overall passage plan requirements

prevailing weather and sea conditions

proximity and course of other vessels

relevant navigational hazards

signage

Primary position fixing method include one or more of the following:

radar ranges or bearings

running fix

simultaneous bearings or transits of coastal features

use of electronic navigational systems

use of soundings to assist in determining position

Performance Evidence

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:

applying hazard avoidance techniques in passage planning

applying variation and deviation to compass courses

completing required records relevant to planning and navigating a passage

developing effective planning documents

determining dipping and rising distances of lights

estimating position using dead reckoning

interpreting and applying tidal stream data

lay off a safe course on a chart

maintaining situational awareness

observing and interpreting weather and oceanographic conditions

producing accurate and reliable documentation

reading and interpreting:

charts and other published information relevant to planning and navigating a passage

instrument and equipment readings relevant to planning and navigating a passage

weather information and oceanographic reports

reading aneroid barometer and interpreting information obtained

recognising and correctly responding to cross-track error resulting from effects of tide and wind

recognising faulty equipment and taking appropriate action according to operating instructions

recognising problems that may be experienced when planning and navigating a passage

selecting and using relevant equipment required for planning and navigating a passage

using parallel indexing to maintain a required distance of a point of land

using meteorological information available.

Knowledge Evidence

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:

Australian or local tide tables and sailing directions

basic meteorological terms

characteristics of various weather systems affecting Australian coast

charted information including that in the title block, Zone Of Confidence diagrams and datums

procedures to determine compass accuracy:

from transit bearings or by bearings taken from a known position

by azimuth, amplitude or other method appropriate to the standards of watchkeeping practice when beyond sight of land

determining times and heights of:

high and low water from Australian or local tide tables for any port and the relevance of chart datum

tides at standard and secondary ports for any state of tide

rhumb lines, plane and great circle sailings

effects of current and of leeway on course and speed of vessel (without calculations)and recognising the presence of either or both factors

finding variation from chart

fixing vessel position by:

simultaneous bearings, transits of coastal features, and by running fix

radar ranges and bearings

information given on a chart or plan, particularly buoyage, hazards to navigation, depth and nature of bottom, lights, tides and tidal streams

interpreting set and drift of current from information available on chart

measuring distance on a chart

meteorological instruments and their use

obtaining bearings on small vessels

recognition of coastal features

relating coastal features to a chart

relationship between:

latitude and longitude

compass, magnetic, true and gyro courses and bearings

relative bearings

selection of suitable:

anchorage or shelter

points for bearings

sound signals such as:

appropriate signals for alteration of course to port or starboard

danger warnings

moving astern

sources of weather forecasts and interpretation of that information in simple terms

traffic separation schemes

tropical revolving storms and the weather associated with such storms

use and application of ship routeing services

use and limitations on use of electronic position fixing equipment found on small vessels

use of a deviation card without mathematical interpolation

using a single position line

using modern electronic navigational aids to determine vessel position

using rhumb line navigation

using soundings in determining position

using terrestrial observations to determine vessel position individually or in combination with other methods

weather conditions affecting Australian coast and liable to endanger vessel

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