MARF014
Respond to emergencies


Application

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to deal with maritime emergencies and incidents.

This unit applies to maritime workers working in the maritime industry as a Watchkeeper Deck; as a Master, Chief Mate or Watchkeeper Deck on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) in any operating area; or as Master or Chief Mate of vessels less than 3000 GT operating in near coastal waters.

This unit has links to legislative and certification requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Raise alarms

1.1

Urgency of situation and nature of emergency is identified promptly

1.2

Relevant alarms are activated

1.3

Distress signals are used to indicate need for assistance, if required

2

Control onboard emergency

2.1

Initial actions on becoming aware of emergency are undertaken according to contingency plans and are appropriate to urgency of situation and nature of emergency

2.2

Onboard personnel are given information and instructions clearly and accurately

2.3

Procedures are implemented to combat emergency and to protect persons on board

2.4

Communications are established with others to facilitate emergency response process

2.5

Injured persons are provided with assistance

2.6

Contact is maintained with others at all times to keep them briefed on emergency response process

2.7

Preparation for abandoning vessel is undertaken, if required

2.8

Cessation of emergency is communicated to appropriate personnel

3

Respond to a distress signal at sea

3.1

Distress signals from others are recognised immediately

3.2

Nature of assistance required is identified

3.3

Capability to safely assist or relay emergency is determined taking into account own safety and physical proximity to emergency

3.4

Appropriate response to emergency is prepared for and implemented according to contingency plans and instructions in standing orders

3.5

Cessation of emergency is communicated to appropriate personnel

Evidence of Performance

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:

applying first aid

correctly using lifesaving appliances

if appropriate, manoeuvring vessel, according to contingency plans

immediately recognising a distress or emergency signal

implementing contingency plans and instructions in standing orders when responding to a distress signal at sea

promptly identifying type and scale of emergency

working as part of a team.


Evidence of Knowledge

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:

common emergency actions

contents of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

initial action to be taken following a collision or grounding

initial damage assessment and control

one’s surroundings and changes to these surroundings

precautions for protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations

procedures to be followed for:

rescuing persons from the sea

assisting a vessel in distress

responding to emergencies that arise in port

range of lifesaving appliances

types of maritime emergency incidents and situations

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


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


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.

Nature of emergency includes one or more of the following:

anchoring

assisting a vessel in distress

collision

contaminated fuel

emergencies which arise in port

engine breakdown or malfunction

fire

flooding

grounding

hypothermia

incidents

injuries/illness

lack of fuel

lost

person overboard

rescuing persons from sea

sinking

swamping

Relevant alarms include one or more of the following:

abandon ship signals

fire and lifeboat muster alarms

mayday broadcast

Distress signals include one or more of the following:

emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB)

flags

hand signals

International Code Signal of Distress

light signals

pyrotechnic distress signals

radio

reflective mirror

V-sheet

Initial actions include one or more of the following:

damage assessment and control

manoeuvring vessel

Others include one or more of the following:

aircraft

other vessels

search and rescue authorities

Nature of assistance includes one or more of the following:

assisting a ship in distress

rescuing persons from sea

responding to emergencies occurring in port


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

F – Operational Quality and Safety