Required Skills

Accurately measure and observe weather conditions

Accurately prepare calculations and measurements of navigational information

Adjust steering controls for optimum performance

Calculate courses using plane mercator and great circle sailing methods

Change over from manual to automatic control and vice versa

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

Correctly interpret and apply meteorological information

Determine errors in magnetic and gyro compasses and correctly apply to courses and bearings

Determine errors of magnetic and gyro compasses using celestial and terrestrial means and to allow for such errors

Determine vessel position by use of

landmarks

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

Determine vessel position within the limits of acceptable instrumentsystem errors

Estimate position using dead reckoning

Interpret nautical charts and publications

Maintain charts and publications by applying uptodate corrections to both paper and electronic charts and publications

Operate echosounders and apply the information correctly

Read the aneroid barometer and interpret the information obtained

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

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

Use and interpret information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments

Use celestial bodies to determine vessel position

Use chart catalogues charts nautical publications radio navigation warnings sextant azimuth mirror electronic navigation equipment echosounding equipment compass

Use nautical charts and publications

Use meteorological information available

Required Knowledge

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 WHSoccupational health and safety OHS requirements and work practices

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

producing accurate and reliable information

ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge

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

industryapproved marine operations site where planning and conducting a passage 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 andor 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 andor

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 planning and conducting a passage

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHSOHS 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

Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation may include:

Navigational hazards may include:

Mode of steering may include:

Conditions may include:

Primary position fixing method may include: