1

Prepare to abandon vessel

1.1

Nature of emergency is determined to minimise potential dangers and threats

1.2

Muster and abandon vessel signals are responded to according to vessel safety procedures

1.3

Survival equipment is organised to maximise chances of survival

1.4

Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is operated to transmit distress signal

1.5

Distress calls are made using radio equipment

1.6

Others are assisted to maximise their chances of survival

1.7

Prevailing circumstances and emergency conditions are used as the basis for timing and sequencing individual survival actions, and potential dangers and threats to other survivors are minimised

2

Operate lifesaving and survival equipment

2.1

Location and accessibility of lifesaving and survival equipment is established

2.2

Survival craft is launched in a timely and effective manner

2.3

Survival equipment is operated according to instructions and accepted survival practice

2.4

Survival radio equipment is operated according to manufacturer instructions and regulatory protocols

2.5

Lifejacket and other lifesaving clothing are correctly used according to instructions

3

Abandon vessel safely

3.1

Need to abandon vessel is established according to safety management system (SMS) or plan

3.2

Survival craft is launched according to instructions

3.3

Survival craft is checked to ensure it is safe to board

3.4

Survival craft is boarded observing safety of other survivors

3.5

Survival craft is released from abandoned vessel

3.6

Exposure cover is deployed on survival craft according to accepted survival practice and manufacturer instructions

4

Apply survival techniques

4.1

Survival craft is checked for seaworthiness

4.2

Sea anchors and drogues are deployed according to accepted nautical practice

4.3

Occupants are checked for signs of hypothermia or other injuries and first aid is applied where necessary

4.4

Water and food is rationed

4.5

Lookout for vessels and aircraft in vicinity is maintained and distress signals are released on sighting

4.6

Instructions given by rescue personnel are followed to safely access rescue craft

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required Skills:

Apply appropriate handling strategies to manoeuvre survival craft in rough weather and sea conditions

Board a life raft while wearing a lifejacket and assist others to board

Collect, manage and interpret information on use of lifesaving equipment

Determine type and extent of emergency

Free a survival craft of obstructions

Jump safely from a height into the water according to established survival practice

Launch survival craft

Operate radio equipment

Participate in training, musters and emergency drills

Perform calculations to ration food and water

Read and interpret instructions for emergency procedures and for use of lifesaving and survival equipment

Recognise and interpret muster signals

Right an inverted life raft while wearing a lifejacket according to established survival practice

Swim while wearing a lifejacket and float without a lifejacket according to established survival practice

Required Knowledge:

Action to be taken in emergency situations

Emergency muster and abandon vessel signals

Equipment found in survival craft, its function and procedures for correct operation

Established survival practice

First aid techniques

Importance of being ready for shipboard emergencies

Location of survival equipment on vessel

Maintenance of lifesaving appliances

Personal protective equipment (PPE):

purpose

use

Procedures for abandoning vessel

Relevant maritime regulations:

relating to required survival equipment on a vessel

dealing with survival at sea following vessel abandonment

Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and policies

Safety of life at sea (SOLAS) regulations

Steps to be taken after collision, grounding or other marine casualty and resulting hull damage

Standard safety symbols

Survival at sea techniques

Survival craft:

construction

outfit

particular characteristics of different types

Techniques for using survival equipment

Time required to make distress calls safely

Threats to survival on vessel abandonment and appropriate strategies for countering these threats

Use of distress signals and penalty for misuse

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this 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:

donning a life jacket or immersion suit

ensuring behaviour reflects statutory requirements pertaining to lifesaving appliances

taking action promptly to address any problems that may arise when following vessel abandonment procedures

completing work systematically with required attention to detail

recognising and adapting appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions between crew and others.

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:

industry-approved marine operations site where surviving at sea using survival craft can 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 and/or 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 and/or

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 surviving at sea using survival craft

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS 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.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Survival equipment may include:

EPIRBs

Flares

Immersion suit

Life jackets

Person overboard combination light and smoke float

Search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

Survival craft

Radio equipment may include:

HF

VHF

Survival craft may include:

Inflatable life raft

Life boat

Life buoy

Rescue craft may include:

Another vessel

Helicopter