MARF3001A
Assist in an emergency response

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to assist in responding to an emergency or incident and to apply control procedures on a vessel.

Application

This unit applies to the work of an Integrated Rating on a range of vessels.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Raise alarms

1.1

Emergency or incident is correctly identified according to organisational procedures

1.2

Distress signals are activated according to manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures

2

Act in an emergency

2.1

Immediate action required is identified and taken, according to emergency procedures

2.2

Safety and security procedures are complied with in all actions

2.3

Personal protective equipment is selected and used according to requirements of the situation, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and emergency procedures

2.4

Emergency equipment is selected and used appropriate to the emergency or incident

2.5

Orders are acknowledged and followed

2.6

Allocated duties for emergency situations are performed according to organisational procedures

2.7

Communications are maintained with others to facilitate emergency response process

3

Assist others in distress

3.1

Distress signals from others are recognised

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 or incident

3.4

Appropriate response to emergency or incident is prepared for and implemented

3.5

Communications are maintained with others to facilitate emergency response process

4

Monitor environment and incident

4.1

Factors that may create or increase risk of injury or damage are constantly assessed and reported to the Master

4.2

Measures taken to relieve an emergency situation are monitored to ensure continued effectiveness

4.3

Changes in conditions and behaviour are identified and reported

5

Assist with recovery from emergency or incident

5.1

Evidence relating to cause of emergency or incident is preserved and recorded as far as possible

5.2

Appropriate assistance is provided according to emergency procedures

5.3

Emergency equipment is returned to a state of readiness as soon as is reasonably possible

5.4

Debriefings are attended and participated in as appropriate

Required Skills

Required Skills:

Identify, isolate and report faulty or non-operational emergency equipment and distress signals

Read and follow emergency procedures in real or simulated emergency situations

Read and interpret basic instructions and standard operating procedures for emergencies

Recognise routine problems that may occur when operating emergency equipment and distress signals

Select and use appropriate emergency equipment and distress signals

Required Knowledge:

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

Common emergency actions

Duties and responsibilities of shipboard personnel during emergencies

Emergency duties and alarm signals

Functions and purpose of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) and search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

Identification of pyrotechnic expiry dates

Procedures for:

activation of maritime emergency alarms

emergency response on board a vessel

testing EPIRBs and SARTs

Range of safety equipment

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

Techniques for avoiding false distress alerts and action to be taken in the event of accidental activation

Types of emergency incidents and situations

WHS/OHS requirements and work practices

Evidence Required

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:

communicating clearly and concisely in an emergency or incident.

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 operating emergency equipment and applying emergency procedures can be conducted or simulated

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 operating emergency equipment and applying emergency procedures in real or simulated emergency situations

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.


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Emergency or incident may include:

Anchoring

Capsize

Contaminated fuel

Engine breakdown or malfunction

Fire

Flooding

Fouled propeller

Fuel supply system failure

Grounding

Hypothermia

Injuries/illness

Person overboard

Person retrieval from water

Sinking

Swamping

Distress signals may include:

Dye markers

Flags

Hand signals

Internal public address system

Light signals

Mobile phone (cautionary note: mobile phones may be limited in their effectiveness)

Pyrotechnic distress signals

Radio

Reflective mirror

Satellite emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

Search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

Ship’s whistle

Sound signal including voice

V-sheet

Personal protective equipment may include:

Hand protection/gloves

Head protection/helmet

Foot protection /boots

Radiant heat protection/coat

Emergency equipment may include:

Battery systems

Emergency fire pump

Emergency generator

Firefighting systems

Life jackets

Lifebuoys, lines and lights

Measures may include:

Enhanced lookout activities

Fire watch

Measurement of water ingress

Monitoring distress frequencies

Monitoring patient recovery


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.