1

Use and maintain ropes and wires

1.1

Knots, hitches and bends using rope are correctly made and used in the course of operations on board a vessel

1.2

Ropes are spliced neatly and securely according to their correct application and rope ends are whipped where appropriate to maintain good condition

1.3

Breaking strain and safe working loads of rope and wire is determined and applied as load limits in the course of operations on board a vessel

1.4

Wear and damage to rope and wire is recognised

1.5

Rope and wire is maintained and stored according to organisational procedures

2

Operate lifting gear

2.1

Lifting gear is checked and prepared for operation prior to use

2.2

Defective lifting gear is isolated and reported according to organisational procedures

2.3

Loads are correctly attached using appropriate slings and rigging gear according to organisational procedures and safety requirements

2.4

Maximum and safe working load limits are determined and not exceeded

2.5

Lifting gear is safely operated to carry out operations

3

Secure vessel at anchor

3.1

Prior to letting go, anchor and equipment are prepared and crew is briefed

3.2

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

3.3

Control of the cable is maintained within safe operating limits during anchoring operations

3.4

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

3.5

Anchoring area is kept free of loose ropes, wires and debris during all operations

4

Secure vessel at a berth

4.1

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

4.2

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

4.3

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

4.4

Tension on shore-power leads and other umbilicals are monitored

5

Check condition and seaworthiness of vessel

5.1

Coverage and frequency of checks and inspections on vessel seaworthiness are undertaken according to organisational procedures

5.2

Watertight integrity is checked and appropriate action is taken to prepare for prevailing and forecast weather and sea conditions according to vessel seaworthiness plans and regulatory requirements

5.3

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

5.4

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

5.5

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

5.6

Reports of vessel condition are completed according to organisational procedures

6

Check stability of vessel

6.1

Information from vessel stability data book is used to determine loading limits and displacement from draft

6.2

Stability conditions for proposed nature of voyage and operations are confirmed and meet required stress and stability criteria

7

Perform tasks aloft and over vessel side

7.1

Area and equipment for working aloft or over the side are prepared according to organisational procedures

7.2

Required precautions are taken when working aloft or over the side

7.3

Chairs, safety harnesses and appropriate safety equipment are used according to organisational procedures

7.4

Portable ladders are used correctly to perform tasks

7.5

Tasks are completed safely according to instructions

7.6

Equipment is inspected, maintained and stored after use according to organisational procedures

8

Lash and secure stores, cargo and access ways

8.1

Lashing equipment is inspected, maintained and correctly stored after use according to organisational procedures

8.2

Cargo is stowed according to recognised principles and organisational procedures relating to transport and handling of dangerous goods

8.3

Cargo is lashed and secured according to recognised principles and organisational procedures

8.4

Equipment and items on deck and in galley spaces are secured according to organisational procedures

8.5

Personnel access ways are rigged and secured according to organisational procedures

8.6

Accommodation spaces and personnel facilities on board vessel are checked and correctly secured for sea according to organisational procedures

9

Supervise refuelling operations

9.1

All personal protective equipment is accessed and used

9.2

Amount of fuel required is calculated

9.3

Instructions are provided to ensure safety boundary for refuelling process is established

9.4

Spill prevention systems are correctly deployed

9.5

Instructions are provided to ensure refuelling operations are performed safely

9.6

Notification of intention to refuel is made to authorities and other nearby operations

Required Skills:

Anchor vessel according to depth and prevailing winds

Check seaworthiness of vessel

Complete basic stability calculations

Correctly coil and stow ropes

Correctly sling loads ready for lifting

Correctly interpret vessels stability data

Ensure watertight integrity of vessel

Inspect and maintain harnesses, safety lines and other equipment for working aloft

Perform an eye splice and a short splice

Perform appropriate whippings on ropes and line

Prepare and throw a heavy line

Recognise damaged or worn ropes, wires and chains

Recognise routine problems during lifting and rigging operations

Refuel vessel with due regard to regulations and organisational procedures

Safely handle ropes and wires

Safely operate winches and windlasses

Safely work aloft or over the side

Secure vessel at its berth according to operational requirements and prevailing conditions

Select and use appropriate rigging and lifting gear

Tie figure-eight knot, reef knot, bowline and cod-end knot

Tie half hitch, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, rolling hitch and timber hitch

Use knots, hitches and securing arrangements

Required Knowledge:

Anchoring principles and methods for different conditions

Basic structural parts of a small vessel

Communication techniques when operating lifting gear

Construction of vessel sufficient to understand which areas need to be made watertight

Correct application of common knots and hitches

Correct use and maintenance of equipment used for working aloft and over the side

Dangers of working with ropes under tension

Different types of anchors and where they can be most effectively used

How to determine breaking strain and safe working load for ropes and equipment

How to make vessel watertight

Maintenance of different types of rope, wire and chain

Methods of securing cargo including vehicles, stores and equipment on vessel before it puts to sea

Pollution regulations

Precautions to take when working aloft or overside

Principles and limitations of lifting equipment and components

Principles of safe handling and transport of dangerous cargo

Procedures for checking and operating lifting equipment

Regulations affecting watertight integrity

Routine and emergency operation of anchors

Use of sea anchors

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

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 performing seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 24 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.

Knots, hitches and bends must include:

Bowline

Clove hitch

Cod-end knot

Figure-eight knot

Half hitch

Reef knot

Rolling hitch

Round turn and two half hitches

Sheet bend

Timber hitch

Lifting gear may include:

Blocks (including chain blocks and power blocks)

Cargo handling wires, ropes and chains

Derricks and cranes

Drum ends and capstans

Eye bolts

Hooks

Ropes, slings and strops

Shackles

Swivels

Anchor and equipment may include:

Anchor buoy

Anchor securing arrangements

Anchor windlass

Sea anchor

Single anchor

Twin anchor

Coverage may include:

Accommodation spaces

Bow doors (barges)

Engine room

Galley

Storage spaces including freezer rooms

Wheelhouse

Secured may include:

Accommodation and storage spaces

Air pipes

Anchors

Doors

Galley, stores and equipment

Hatches

Large objects likely to move in a sea way

Materials on deck and below

Openings

Skylights

Tanks

Irregularities must include:

Affecting the safety and integrity of the:

vessel

crew and passengers

equipment

materials, such as cargo

Information must include:

Basic principles of stability

Impact of design and hull

Terms and definitions

Stability conditions must include:

Adding and removing weights

Additions or alterations to original configuration

Effects of slack tanks

Effects of water on deck

Hauling netting using power block

Roll period

Snagged trawl (hookup)

Stiff and tender vessel

Transferring weights using a crane or other lifting device

Tasks may include:

Using portable ladders to access heights up to 1.8 metres

Working at heights more than 1.8 metres