This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to participate in monitoring emergency prevention and applying control procedures in an emergency on a vessel.

This unit applies to individuals working as an Integrated Rating or Able Seafarer-Engine/Deck on a range of vessels.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Apply emergency procedures

1.1

Emergencies are correctly identified according to organisational procedures

1.2

On becoming aware of an emergency or abnormal situation, organisational procedures for initial action are confirmed with the officer of the watch

1.3

Emergency and distress alerting systems are activated according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures

1.4

False distress alerts are avoided and appropriate action is taken in an accidental activation of a distress alert according to organisational procedures

1.5

Orders are acknowledged and followed

1.6

Allocated duties for emergency situations are performed according to organisational procedures

1.7

Communications are maintained with others to facilitate the emergency response process

2

Maintain integrity of emergency and distress alerting systems

2.1

Emergency and distress alerting systems maintenance requirements are specified and managed

2.2

Systems maintenance is checked for compliance

2.3

Systems are assessed for useability and accessibility, and are reported according to organisational procedures

2.4

Procedures are followed to correct systems defects and deficiencies

3

Report and record emergency and distress alerting systems faults

3.1

Schedule for verifying and reporting faults is developed and implemented

3.2

Details and nature of faults are recorded and rectified according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures

3.3

Reports on faults are provided and recommendations are made for improvements according to organisational procedures

3.4

Frequency of occurrence of faults is monitored and reported according to organisational procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

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

communicating clearly and concisely in an emergency or abnormal situation

identifying, isolating and reporting faulty or non-operational emergency and distress alerting systems

reading and following emergency procedures

reading and interpreting basic instructions and standard operating procedures for emergency and distress alerting systems

recognising routine problems that may occur when operating emergency and distress alerting systems

selecting and using emergency and distress alerting systems including:

internal public address system

pyrotechnic distress signals

search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

ship’s whistle.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

applicable sections of relevant maritime regulations dealing with emergency equipment and procedures

duties and responsibilities of shipboard personnel during emergencies

emergency duties and alarm signals commonly used on a vessel

escape routes from machinery spaces on a vessel

functions and purpose of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite EPIRBs and SARTs

identification of pyrotechnic expiry dates

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and related regulations

procedures for:

activating maritime emergency alarms

emergency response on board a vessel

testing EPIRBs and SARTs

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

techniques for avoiding false distress alerts and action to be taken in an accidental activation.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

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.

Operating emergency equipment and applying emergency procedures must be assessed in workplace operational situations. Where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment include access to:

relevant documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

tools, equipment, materials and personal protective equipment that replicate and are currently used in industry

emergency equipment including:

EPIRBs

SARTs

internal public address system

pyrotechnic distress signals

ship’s whistle.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Emergencies include one or both of the following:

any situation leading to abandonment of a vessel

responding to distress alerts from other vessels

Systems defects and deficiencies include one or more of the following:

emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) function test failure

out-of-date pyrotechnics distress signals

search and rescue transponder (SART) not operating