DEFCA320 - Prepare, operate and maintain small watercraft

DEFCA320
Prepare, operate and maintain small watercraft

This unit covers the competency required to operate small watercraft, including:Motorised and nonmotorised boats up to five metres in length capable of accommodating a maximum ten personnel and the operator and crewmanMotorised and nonmotorised rigid and nonrigid inflatable craftPowered by outboard motors of up to 40 hpMotorised and nonmotorised bridge and ferry construction craftThe watercraft will normally be operated in an environment of protected or calm inland waterways, conducting a range of tasks including the transport of personnel and/or equipment. While the technical aspects of this competency are concerned with ‘operating a boat’, the specialisation of the skill, and safety issues associated with waterborne operations confer additional responsibilities upon the operator. For all watercraft operations the individual may need to provide directions to personnel within the boat concerning specific safety matters such as seating, movement and actions on incidents such as man overboard and capsize. The individual must demonstrate sound judgement in the use of authority, and where possible, work within the existing lines of authority. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This competency was developed for combat arms personnel required to operate small watercraft in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

Typically, operators work independently under indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for watercraft operations	1.1 Operating instructions are interpreted to determine the task, the cargo, the destination and route, and navigation data is compiled in accordance with standard procedures. 1.2 Hasty buoyancy/floatation calculations are completed to ensure passengers and cargo are safe to move. 1.3 Equipment is selected, checked for serviceability and unserviceable items are replaced or rejected, and reported to the supervisor in accordance with standard procedures. 1.4 Shore preparation is conducted in accordance with standard procedures and the watercraft is prepared and readied for launch. 1.5 Appropriate personal protective equipment is selected and worn by all personnel. 1.6 Passengers and crew are given a safety brief by the operator prior to embarking on watercraft operations.
2. Construct improvised watercraft	2.1 Improvised flotation craft are constructed/assembled, when required, in accordance with technical specifications and supervisor’s instructions. 2.2 Improvised flotation craft are inspected for safety prior to use and shore preparation is completed.
3. Operate small watercraft	3.1 Watercraft is launched safely in accordance with standard procedures and local conditions. 3.2 Watercraft is loaded and trimmed to ensure safety of crew and load. 3.3 Watercraft is operated consistent with hazards and environmental conditions, and in accordance with standard procedures. 3.4 Directions are provided, as necessary, to passengers in order to maintain safety and efficient boat operation. 3.5 Contingency and emergency drills are carried out, as necessary, to minimise threat to personnel and equipment. 3.6 Personnel and/or loads are disembarked and/or unloaded safely in accordance with standard procedures.
4. Recover and restore vessel	4.1 Watercraft is recovered from a ramp or improvised landing site. 4.2 Watercraft and associated equipment are checked for serviceability, cleaned and serviced, defects are reported and documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures. 4.3 Debriefing requirements are completed, as required, in accordance with standard procedures.

Required Skills

use knots and lashings to secure watercraft

use clear interpersonal communication as operator of the vessel

constantly monitor hazards and apply safety principles to operations

follow instructions/directives and report information

participate in team

encourage other team members

use a variety of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including language style, active listening

read and interpret operating instructions

calculate and record number and weight of passengers, stores and equipment

Required Knowledge

applicable statutory waterways rules for watercraft operation

local water hazards and environmental conditions

effects of water moving over objects and obstacles

team work

techniques for supporting others

composition of teams, and roles and responsibilities of team members

verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including language style, active listening

hasty buoyancy/floatation calculations

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to safely operate selected small watercraft and improvised flotation craft on various waterways under a range of environmental conditions. The operator must demonstrate competency at carrying both equipment and personnel, and demonstrate the ability to manage the full range of contingency and emergency actions.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations that allow for the preparation, operation and maintenance of small watercraft and the construction of improvised flotation craft under a range of water operating conditions while carrying personnel and cargo.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

The following resources should be made available:

watercraft, equipment and accessories

materials for constructing improvised flotation craft

equipment appropriate to the task

suitable training areas with access to flowing water

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Small watercraft may include:	motorised and nonmotorised boats up to five metres in length capable of accommodating a maximum ten personnel and the operator and crewman motorised and nonmotorised rigid and nonrigid inflatable craft powered by outboard motors of up to 40 hp motorised and nonmotorised bridge and ferry construction craft
Environment include:	under a range of water conditions in enclosed waters including tidal rivers, protected harbours, nontidal rivers, lakes and dams in all weather conditions by day or night and under illumination
Operating instructions may include:	access and egress routes details of enemy threat and own force operations details of ramps or launching points details of resupply or evacuation requirements number and nature of personnel, including casualties to be transported potential hazards tidal information types of general cargo and weights weather forecast
Standard procedures may include:	manufacturer’s handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions procedures manuals, job guides, watermanship pamphlets and other publications statutory waterways rules WHS regulations for water safety written and verbal orders and instructions
Hasty bouyancy/floatation calculations may include:	freeboard when loaded within load limits number and weight of passengers within load limits weight of stores and equipment within load units
Equipment to be used may include:	appropriate rescue and recovery equipment items of stores and equipment personal protective equipment such as life jackets safety equipment that may be required under state/territory legislation or standard procedures vehicles and equipment used to transport boats
Shore preparation may include:	assembly for launch equipment checks loading of stores and equipment positioning vessel on ramp or launching site prestart checks of engine
Watercraft operations may include:	a float for people operating near, in or over water transport of personnel support to bridge, ferry and raft operations evacuation of personnel, stores and equipment searches, rescues resupply operations support to divers providing safety
Improvised flotation craft may include	inflatable, rigid body or improvised watercraft constructed of timber, drums, canvas, inflatable tubes or any combination
Operating the watercraft may include:	compliance with waterways rules and regulations engine startup procedures moving at a safe speed consistent with the conditions navigating to destination
Hazards and environmental conditions may include:	adverse weather eddies fast flowing streams and near still waters floating and submerged debris and snags fog or drizzle heat and cold reduced visibility due to after dark operations time pressure undertows underwater hazards wildlife
Contingency and emergency drills may include:	abandon ship drills action on capsize diagnosing and rectifying minor engine faults fire drills man overboard drills propeller replacement towing disabled vessels use of improvised rudder use of oars/improvised oars use of sail

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.