Required Skills

Change over from automatic pilot to hand steering and vice versa

Maintain situational awareness

Steer a vessel

in bad weather

in heavy swell and surf

through coming to and leaving a mooring

through towing and being towed

in the vicinity of large vessels

Required Knowledge

Effects of

displacement and planing hulls

outboard and inboard propulsion units

rudders and propellers

trim and displacement on the steering characteristics of a vessel

Features of a vessel that relate to its handling characteristics

Helm orders

Steering characteristics

Use of magnetic and gyrocompasses

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

awareness of ones surroundings and changes to these surroundings

ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements

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

appropriate vessel to demonstrate steering a vessel in normal conditions heavy weather and emergency situations

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 steering a vessel under direction of the Master

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

Features of vessel may include:

Navigational equipment may include:

Propulsion equipment may include:

Adverse weather conditions may include:

Nature of the emergency may include: