This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to maintain safe navigation of a commercial vessel using an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)

Master of a commercial vessel less than 80 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Master of a commercial vessel Unlimited

Watchkeeper Deck.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

This unit is equivalent to and delivers the objectives of the following Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) provisions:

STCW Reg II/1 & II/2, Code Section A-II/1 and A-II/2, Tables A-II/1 and A-II/2.

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

Regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training

Near Coastal Qualifications:

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Master less than 80 metres Near Coastal as defined in the Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency - National Law) 2013.

Blue Waters Qualifications:

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain AMSA certification as a Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT), Master Unlimited or Watchkeeper Deck. and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Set up an ECDIS

1.1

ECDIS is initialised and programmed with own vessel data

1.2

Operational performance and accuracy of ECDIS is confirmed

1.3

Settings and values are adjusted to suit conditions for passage planning and navigation

1.4

Means of providing additional information is correctly interfaced with ECDIS

2

Use an ECDIS for passage planning and navigation

2.1

ECDIS is used to assist in passage planning and the conduct of navigation

2.2

Information on ECDIS is monitored to ensure safe navigation

2.3

Information obtained from ECDIS is interpreted and analysed taking into account limitations of equipment, all connected sensors and prevailing circumstances and conditions

2.4

Position of vessel is confirmed by alternative means

2.5

Safety of navigation is maintained through adjustments made to vessel course and speed

2.6

System and position alarms are responded to, to maintain safety of navigation

2.7

Situational awareness is maintained while using ECDIS and other bridge equipment

3

Maintain data

3.1

Data produced by ECDIS that should be retained to conform with organisational procedures and regulatory requirements is identified

3.2

Data is stored electronically or in hard copy as required by organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

3.3

Security and access requirements for data are adhered to in accordance with organisational procedures

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:

adjusting settings and values to suit present conditions, including:

alarm parameters for anti-grounding

back-up arrangements

chart update status

completeness of chart data

proximity to contacts and special areas

applying relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines

communicating in a clear concise manner and at all times

conducting tests for malfunctions, including functional self-testing and interpreting the test results

confirming vessel position by alternative means

ensuring integrity of back-up systems

ensuring integrity of data

maintaining situational awareness while using electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), including:

chart data and scale selection

contact detection and management

integrity of sensors

safe water and proximity of hazards

set and drift

suitability of route

monitoring information on ECDIS, including:

chart data displayed

contacts

mode and orientation

own position

radar overlay functions

radar tracking

route monitoring

sea area display

user-created information layers

operating ECDIS when interfaced with automatic identification system (AIS) and interpreting AIS data

planning a passage on a display using ECDIS

safely monitoring and adjusting information

setting up initial display and maintaining display

setting up, operating, interpreting and analysing information, including:

adequate and up-to-date electronic charts

back-up systems

electronic position fixing system

gyro and log

raster charts

uninterruptable power supply (UPS)

vector electronic chart systems

when radar overlay is in use

storing data electronically, including:

chart correction information

electronic navigational chart (ENC) source, date and edition

vessel voyage details

using functions that are integrated with other navigation systems in various installations

using ECDIS targets, charts and systems

using settings efficiently to ensure conformance to operational procedures.

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:

AIS input

dangers of over-reliance

differences between ECDIS, electronic chart system (ECS) and raster chart display system (RCDS)

differences between vector and raster charts

elements of ECDIS, including:

basic navigation

chart data

chart organisation

chart quality and accuracy

correct and incorrect use

heading and drift vectors

position source

purpose of ECDIS

value to navigation

vessel position

workstation start, stop and layout

ECDIS route planning and monitoring, including:

additional navigational information

checking plan for safety

route planning by table and chart

route schedule

track limits

user charts in route planning

vessel manoeuvring characteristics

ECDIS targets, charts and systems, including:

AIS functions

archiving ECDIS data and data logging

automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA)/radar overlay

installing chart corrections

procuring and installing chart data

system reset and back-up

ECDIS responsibility and assessment, including:

effective navigation with ECDIS

responsibilities under relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines

functions of ECDIS required by performance standards in force

principles, capability and limitations of ECDIS operations

process used to correct and update charts by manual, semi-automatic and automatic systems

radar/ ARPA input

requirements for voyage recording

significance of chart alarms and indicator warnings

system and position alarms, including:

approach to waypoint, critical point, navigation danger and other ships

chart alarms

depth and contour alarms

mode losses

primary failure

use of ECDIS in emergency situations

watchkeeping with ECDIS, including:

changing the settings

chart information

chart scaling

information layers

ports and data feeds

sensors

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

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within 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.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

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

simulator exercises for:

coastal waters

coastal and restricted waters

coastal waters and restricted waters

open sea

restricted waters

simulator exercises for:

coastal waters and restricted waters (navigation alarms and route scheduling)

coastal waters (chart display settings)

coastal and restricted waters (underway ECDIS navigation assessment)

open sea (basic integrated navigation)

restricted waters (advanced integrated navigation with ECDIS)

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.

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

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

Not applicable.

H – Navigation