1

Use and maintain ropes

1.1

Rope types and common areas of use are correctly identified

1.2

Ropes are checked for wear and repairs are undertaken according to manufacturer guidelines

1.3

Ropes are coiled and stowed correctly

1.4

Knots and hitches are tied neatly and securely, and are used according to their correct application

1.5

Ropes are spliced neatly and securely according to their correct application

1.6

Rope ends are whipped where appropriate to maintain good condition

2

Secure vessel at anchor

2.1

Prior to letting go, anchor and equipment are prepared

2.2

Quantity of anchor cable run out or recovered is appropriate to the depth of water, weather and sea conditions, and tidal range in area of operation

2.3

During operation, control of the cable is maintained within safe operating limits

2.4

Degree to which anchor and equipment are secured on completion of anchoring operations is appropriate to forecast conditions

2.5

During all operations, anchoring area is kept free of loose ropes, wires and debris

3

Secure vessel at a berth

3.1

At all times, mooring lines and associated equipment are handled safely

3.2

Throughout operations, mooring area is kept free of loose ropes, wires and debris

3.3

Tension on ropes is maintained at an appropriate level for the stage and nature of the operation

4

Check condition and seaworthiness of vessel

4.1

Coverage and frequency of checks and inspections on vessel seaworthiness are undertaken according to workplace procedures and organisational safety management system

4.2

Watertight integrity is checked and appropriate action is taken to prepare for prevailing and forecast weather and sea conditions

4.3

Degree to which vessel is secured is appropriate to prevailing and forecast conditions

4.4

Irregularities are identified and appropriate action is taken to rectify the situation

4.5

Irregularities beyond ability to rectify are reported in time to enable remedial action to be taken

4.6

Reports of condition are completed according to workplace procedures

5

Conduct refuelling operations

5.1

All personal protective equipment is accessed and used

5.2

Safety boundary for the refuelling process is established

5.3

Spill prevention systems are correctly deployed

5.4

Refuelling operations are performed safely and according to organisational safety management system

Required Skills:

Check seaworthiness and general condition of a vessel up to 12 metres

Coil and stow ropes

Handle ropes

Identify deterioration and causes in hull and fittings

Perform an eye splice and a short splice

Perform common whipping on ropes

Perform letting go and weighing anchor

Prepare and throw a heaving line

Refuel a vessel according to safety regulations and the organisational safety management system requirements

Secure a vessel alongside using vessel mooring lines

Tie reef-knot, bowline, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, rolling hitch

Use a sea anchor as emergency steering

Required Knowledge:

Basic structural parts of a small vessel

Considerations to make when selecting an anchorage

Correct application of common knots and hitches

How to make a vessel watertight

Maintenance of synthetic and natural fibre ropes

Mooring line arrangements for securing at a berth

Principles of maintaining watertight integrity

Procedure for anchoring

Procedure for deploying a sea-anchor

Types of anchors used on small vessels up to 12 metres

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

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:

being aware of own ability and limits to rectify irregularities and faults

providing the required amount of detail in reports.

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 the application of seamanship skills aboard an appropriate vessel up to 12 metres 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 performing seamanship skills

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.

Rope types may include:

Braided

Kevlar

Natural fibre

Plaited

Polyester

Wire core rope

Wire rope

Knots and hitches may include:

Bowline

Clove hitch

Eye splice

Reef knot

Rolling hitch

Round turn and two half hitches

Short splice

Anchor and equipment may include:

Anchor buoy

Anchor securing arrangements

Sea anchor

Single anchor

Twin anchor

Windlass

Mooring lines may include:

Back springs

Bow and stern ropes

Breast lines

Fore and aft springs

Coverage may include

Accommodation spaces

Engine room

Galley

Personal facilities

Storage spaces

Wheelhouse

Secured may include:

Accommodation and storage spaces

Anchors

Galley, stores and equipment

Materials on deck and below

Large objects likely to move in a sea way

Openings

Irregularities may include:

Affecting the safety and integrity of:

crew

equipment

materials, such as cargo

vessel