MARH5004A
Use bridge equipment to determine vessel position

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to maintain safe navigation of a vessel through the use of radar and other bridge equipment to determine vessel position.

Application

This unit has application for a Watchkeeper Deck, Master < 500 GT and Master (Unlimited).


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Set up bridge equipment

1.1

Bridge equipment is initialised and displays are set up and maintained

1.2

Operational performance and accuracy of bridge equipment is confirmed and appropriate action is taken when performance is out of limits

1.3

Any false echoes and misrepresentations are detected, identified and rejected

2

Use radar to safely navigate

2.1

Radar is operated according to manufacturer instructions to produce data on position of vessel, other vessels and fixed objects

2.2

Radar plot is constructed on radar plotting sheet and automatic plotting devices are initialised

2.3

Systematic radar observations of vessels in the vicinity are made and risk of collision is determined

2.4

Radar data is used to obtain a position fix for vessel using electronic bearing lines and variable range markers

2.5

Radar bearings are corrected for vessel heading and compass error as appropriate

2.6

Adjustments are made to vessel course and speed to maintain safety of navigation

2.7

Manoeuvring signals are made at appropriate time according to regulations

3

Use bridge equipment to safely navigate

3.1

Bridge equipment is safely and efficiently used to conduct navigation of vessel

3.2

Position of vessel is monitored during voyage to ensure planned passage is followed

3.3

Movements of vessels in the vicinity are monitored to ensure collision situations do not occur

3.4

Adjustments are made to vessel course and speed to maintain safety of navigation

3.5

Manoeuvring signals are made at appropriate time according to regulations

3.6

Bridge equipment is maintained according to manufacturer requirements and organisational procedures

4

Maintain navigational records

4.1

Navigational data produced by bridge equipment that should be retained to conform with organisational procedures and regulatory requirements is identified

4.2

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

4.3

Security and access requirements for data are adhered to according to organisational procedures

Required Skills

Required Skills:

Clearly and concisely communicate at all times in a seamanlike manner

Correctly interpret and analyse information obtained from radar and automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA) taking into account the limitations of equipment and prevailing circumstances and conditions

Correctly interpret information received from other bridge equipment and apply appropriate corrections

Determine latitude by meridian altitude

Make adjustments to vessel course and speed to maintain safety of navigation

Make decisions to amend course or speed in a timely manner according to accepted navigation practice

Make manoeuvring signals at the appropriate time according to International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 as amended

Plan and conduct celestial observations using a sextant and plot a position

Take action to avoid close encounter or collision according to International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 as amended

Required Knowledge:

ARPA system performance and accuracy, tracking capabilities, limitations and processing delays

Course and speed of other vessels

Critical echoes, exclusion areas and trial manoeuvres

Detecting course and speed changes of other vessels

Detection of misrepresentation of information, false echoes, sea and rain clutter etc., racons and search and rescue transponders (SARTs)

Effect of changes in own vessel course and speed or both

Factors affecting performance and accuracy of radar and other navigational equipment

Fundamentals of radar and ARPA

Ground and sea stabilisation and their effects on ARPA data

Identification of critical echoes

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 as amended

Meeting overtaking vessels

Methods of position fixing using celestial observations with a sextant

Methods of target acquisition and their limitations

Parallel indexing

Plotting techniques and relative- and true-motion concepts

Principal types of ARPA, their display characteristics, performance standards and the consequences of over reliance on ARPA

Range and bearing by radar

Sea and ground stabilisation and their effect on ARPA data

Setting up and maintaining displays on radar

Time, distance and bearing of closest point of approach of a closing vessel

True and relative vectors, graphic representation of target information and danger areas

Use of operational warnings and system tests

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (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:

attention to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping

ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge.

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 using bridge equipment may 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 using bridge equipment

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.

Bridge equipment may include:

ARPA

Automatic identification systems

Automatic pilot

Azimuth mirrors and other bearing measurement devices

Bridge alarm systems

Chronometer

Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS)

Echo sounder

Differential satellite navigation systems

Doppler and electro-magnetic speed logs

Integrated navigation systems

Loran C navigation systems

Magnetic and gyro compasses including rate of turn gyro

Navigation light systems

Radar

Satellite navigation systems

Sextant

Signalling devices

Voyage data recorders

Misrepresentations may include:

Compass errors

False echoes

Incorrect radar settings for heading marker and range marker

Incorrect setting up of electronic chart system (ECS) or ECDIS

Incorrect setting up of satellite navigation systems

Satellite and differential satellite navigation system errors

Sea and rain clutter returns

Navigational data may include:

Navigation safety warning

Recording of courses steered

Weather and oceanographic reports


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.