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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Oversee development of passage plan
  2. Develop and implement watchkeeping arrangements and procedures
  3. Monitor bridge team in implementing passage plan
  4. Interpret and evaluate information from electronic navigational system
  5. Navigate in complex situations
  6. Manage emergencies
  7. Maintain navigational equipment
  8. Prepare reports and documentation relevant to passage

Required Skills

Required Skills

Accurately identify all potential navigational hazards

Choose the most appropriate primary method for fixing vessel position given the prevailing circumstances and conditions

Conduct performance checks of navigation position fixing instruments and systems

Correctly calculate positions courses distances and time within accepted accuracy standards for navigational equipment

Determine and allow for errors of magnetic and gyrocompass

Determine position in all conditions by celestial observations terrestrial observations and using modern navigational aids within accepted accuracy levels

Enumerate the equipment charts and nautical publications required for the voyage and appropriate to the safe conduct of the voyage

Establish and maintain watchkeeping arrangements in compliance with international regulations and guidelines so as to ensure the safety of navigation protection of the marine environment and the safety of the vessel and persons on board

Properly assess accuracy of fix

Recognise faulty equipment and readings and take appropriate action

Recognise problems that may be experienced when planning and navigating a passage and take appropriate action

Report according to General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and vessel traffic service VTS procedures

Support reasons for planned route using facts and statistical data obtained from relevant sources and publications

Undertake routeing according to the General Provisions on Ships Routeing

Use chart catalogues charts nautical publications and vessel particulars to plan and navigate a passage

Required Knowledge

AMSA Watchkeeping Standards Booklet including the Manila Amendments

Content application and intent of bridge resource management principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch

Content application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea as amended

General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems

General Provisions on Ships Routeing

Method and frequency of checks for errors of magnetic and gyrocompasses to ensure accuracy of information

Methods for fixing position of a vessel

Modern electronic navigational aids their operating principles limitations sources of error detection of misrepresentation of information and methods of correction to obtain accurate position fixing

Operation and care of the main types of gyrocompass

Principles of magnetic and gyrocompasses

Problems experienced when fixing vessel position and appropriate action and solutions

Procedures for filing and maintaining navigational charts nautical publications and related documentation in serviceable condition

Procedures for swinging a vessel to determine deviation

Relevant AMSA Marine Orders

Requirements for effective passage planning including contingency planning

Systems under control of the master gyro

Voyage planning and navigation for all conditions by acceptable methods of plotting ocean tracks

VTS procedures

Vessel reporting systems and their use in planning and conducting a voyage

Work health and safety WHSoccupational health and safety OHS requirements and work practices

Evidence Required

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

planning and navigating a voyage for all conditions including restricted waters meteorological conditions ice restricted visibility traffic separation schemes VTS areas and areas of extensive tidal effects

ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge

ensuring currency of relevant reference material

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 managing the navigation of a vessel of gross tonnage or more 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 managing the navigation of a vessel of gross tonnage

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


Range Statement

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.

Sources and publications may include:

AMSA Marine Orders

Annual and weekly Notices to Mariners

Nautical almanac

Navigational chart availability

Radio signals, light lists, sailing directions, tide tables and chart catalogues

Safety management system procedures

Ship reporting systems and requirements

Ship’s routeing information

Watchkeeping arrangements must include:

Clear instruction to watchkeeping officers in the Standing Orders from the Master

Establishing a proper lookout separate from the helmsman

Fatigue management strategies

Hours of work schedule established to ensure correct rest periods are maintained

Watch hand over procedures

Position determination may include:

Azimuth mirrors

Chronometer

Doppler and electronic logs

Echo sounders

ECS and ECDIS systems

Integrated navigation systems

Magnetic and gyro compasses and repeaters

Paper navigational charts

Radar and other electronic navigation devices

Sextant

Non-routine problems may include:

Equipment failure

Lack of appropriate resources

Potential collision and emergency situations

Weather conditions precluding the establishment of vessel position

Complex situations must include:

Adverse weather

Areas of extensive tidal effects

Ice

Restricted visibility

Restricted waters

Traffic separation schemes

VTS areas

When summonsed to the bridge by the duty officer

Emergencies may include:

Engine failure

Failure of navigational equipment

Potential close quarter situations