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Elements and Performance Criteria

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 systems Nautical Almanac nautical tables Notices to Mariners paper charts radio navigational warnings sailing directions temporary warning notices tide tables vessel routeing information weather reports and warnings

Navigational hazards include one or more of the following:	restricted visibility shallow ground traffic unlit beacons

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 includes one or more of the following:	celestial observations radar ranges or bearings radio navigation aids running fix simultaneous bearings or transits of coastal features soundings to determine position terrestrial observations

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:

accurately measuring and observing weather conditions

accurately preparing calculations and measurements of navigational information

adjusting steering controls for optimum performance

calculating courses using plane, mercator and great circle sailing methods

changing over from manual to automatic control and vice versa

checking reliability of information obtained from primary method of position fixing at appropriate intervals

correctly interpreting and applying meteorological information

determining errors in magnetic and gyro compasses, and correctly applying to courses and bearings

determining errors of magnetic and gyro compasses using celestial and terrestrial means, and allowing for such errors

determining vessel position by use of:

aids to navigation including lighthouses, beacons and buoys

rising and dipping distances of lights and the use of horizontal angles

dead reckoning, taking into account winds, tides, currents and estimated speed

electronic navigational aids

determining vessel position within the limits of acceptable instrument/system errors

estimating position using dead reckoning

interpreting nautical charts and publications

maintaining charts and publications by applying up-to-date corrections to both paper and electronic charts and publications

operating echo-sounders and applying the information correctly

producing accurate and reliable information

reading the aneroid barometer and interpreting the information obtained

selecting mode of steering most suitable for prevailing weather, sea and traffic conditions and intended manoeuvres

selecting most appropriate primary method of fixing vessel position for the prevailing circumstances and conditions

using and interpreting information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments

using celestial bodies to determine vessel position

using chart catalogues, charts, nautical publications, radio navigation warnings, sextant, azimuth mirror, electronic navigation equipment, echo-sounding equipment, compass

using nautical charts and publications

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:

basic meteorological terms

characteristics of the various weather systems, reporting procedures and recording systems

charted information including that in the Title Block, Zones of Confidence Diagrams and Datums

compass error from transit bearings or by bearings taken from a known position

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

effects of current and of leeway on the course and speed of the vessel (without calculations)

finding the variation from the 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

interpreting the set and drift of the current from information available on the chart

measuring distance on a chart

meteorological instruments and their use

nautical charts and publications

plane, Mercator and great circle sailing concepts

principles of magnetic and gyro compasses

recognising the presence of either or both factors

relating coastal features to a chart

relationship between compass, magnetic, true and gyro courses and bearings

relative bearings

selection of suitable points for bearings

sources of weather forecasts and the interpretation of that information

steering control systems

steering control systems operating procedures

tropical revolving storms and weather associated with such storms

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

use of a deviation card without mathematical interpolation

using a single position line to assist in clearing dangers

using modern electronic navigational aids to determine vessel position

using soundings in determining position

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

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