1

Respond to emergency

1.1

Emergency situation is correctly recognised

1.2

Muster and abandon vessel signals are activated according to organisational procedures

1.3

Prompt, accurate and clear information is given on raising alarm

1.4

Instructions are provided to crew and passengers to maximise chances of survival

1.5

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

1.6

Distress calls are made using radio equipment on distress call frequency to communicate nature of emergency

2

Launch survival craft and rescue boats

2.1

Preparations for the launch of the survival craft or rescue boat are made according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.2

Appropriate launch strategy is adopted following an assessment of the weather and sea conditions, and the nature of the emergency

2.3

Launching equipment is operated according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.4

Survival craft or rescue boat is launched smoothly according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.5

Pre-start checks are conducted on the engine of the survival craft or rescue boat

2.6

Survival craft or rescue boat engine is started according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

3

Operate survival craft and rescue boats

3.1

Orders are given to survivors to board the survival craft or rescue boat using appropriate means

3.2

Survival craft or rescue boat is cleared of the vessel and operated according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions

3.3

Sea anchors and drogues are used to assist in remaining within the vicinity of the abandoned vessel and to minimise the effects of adverse weather and sea conditions

3.4

Exposure cover is deployed on an open lifeboat according to manufacturer instructions

4

Operate lifesaving and survival equipment on board survival craft and rescue boats

4.1

Location and accessibility of all lifesaving and survival equipment is established

4.2

Survival equipment is checked and operated according to manufacturer instructions

4.3

Lifesaving equipment is correctly donned and used according to manufacturer instructions

5

Assume responsibility for survival of crew and passengers

5.1

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

5.2

Water and food is rationed

5.3

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

5.4

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

5.5

Persons are disembarked from survival craft or rescue boat according to organisational procedures

5.6

Survival craft or rescue boat is recovered and checked for signs of damage

Required Skills:

Board a survival craft from the ship and water while wearing a life jacket

Determine the type and extent of the emergency

Don a life jacket

Don and use an immersion suit

Free a survival craft of obstructions

Identify hypothermia and provide appropriate treatment

Keep afloat without a life jacket

Launch survival craft

Operate location devices, including radio equipment

Operate radio equipment

Operate survival craft equipment

Recognise and interpret muster signals

Right an inverted life raft

Right an inverted life raft while wearing a life jacket

Safely jump from a height into water

Stream a drogue or sea-anchor

Swim while wearing a life jacket

Take initial actions on boarding survival craft to enhance chance of survival

Required Knowledge:

Action to be taken in an emergency

Characteristics of survival craft

Emergency muster and abandon vessel signals

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

Equipment in survival craft

First aid techniques

Location of personal life-saving appliances

Location of survival equipment on vessel

Principles concerning survival including:

value of training and drills

personal protective clothing and equipment

need to be ready for any emergency

actions to be taken when called to survival craft stations

actions to be taken when required to abandon ship

actions to be taken when in the water

actions to be taken when aboard a survival craft

main dangers to survivors

Procedures for abandoning vessel

Relevant maritime regulations related to required survival equipment on a vessel

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

Standard safety symbols

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

Survival at sea techniques

Techniques for using survival equipment

Time required to make distress calls safely

Types of emergency situations which may occur such as collision, fire, foundering

Types of life-saving appliances normally carried on ships

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, 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:

identifying muster signals, and taking action that is appropriate to emergency and complies with established procedures

timing and sequencing individual actions so they are appropriate to prevailing circumstance and conditions, and minimise potential dangers and threats to survival

using method of boarding survival craft that is appropriate and avoids dangers to other survivors

ensuring initial actions after leaving ship, and procedures and actions in the water minimise threats to survival.

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 in the event of vessel abandonment 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 in the event of vessel abandonment

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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Emergency situations must include:

Collision

Fire

Foundering

Radio equipment may include:

EPIRB

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

HF

Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs)

VHF

Survival craft and rescue boats may include:

Inflatable life raft

Life boat

Rescue boat

Lifesaving and survival equipment may include:

EPIRBs

Flares

Life jackets

Immersion suit

Person overboard combination light and smoke float

SARTs