This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to transmit and receive information by visual signalling.

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

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

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

Master of a commercial vessel Unlimited

Watchkeeper Deck.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

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 competencys - National Law) 2013.

Blue Waters

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (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

Use code to send and receive messages by flashing light

1.1

Morse codes for letters and numerals are correctly recognised

1.2

Message is correctly coded and transmitted using a flashing light

1.3

Message received in code by flashing light is correctly decoded

2

Use International Code of Signals to send and receive messages with flags

2.1

Flags used in the International Code of Signals are correctly recognised

2.2

Message is correctly coded and sent with flags using the International Code of Signals

2.3

Message coded and sent with flags using the International Code of Signals is correctly received and decoded

3

Maintain records of visual communications

3.1

Records of messages sent and received are completed and maintained as required according to regulatory and organisational requirements

3.2

Relevant records are sent to appropriate bodies if requested and copies are filed according to regulatory and organisational requirements

3.3

Documents are stored according to regulatory and organisational requirements

4

Use English in written and oral communication

4.1

IMO standard marine communication phrases are used in written and oral form

4.2

English language nautical publications and messages relevant to the safety of the ship are correctly interpreted or drafted

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:

communicating effectively with others, including the Master, when transmitting and receiving information by visual signalling

keeping records of visual signalling communications

reading and interpreting maritime regulations relating to visual signalling

transmitting and receiving by Morse light, distress signal SOS as specified in Annex IV International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and Appendix 1 of the International Code of Signals

transmitting and receiving messages using flags according to the International Code of Signals

using International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases and using English in written and oral terms

using the International Code of Signals.

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:

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases

International Code of Signals, including:

Morse code

single letter and numeral international code flags

messages, including:

distress signal SOS

medical advice

single letter flag signal codes

procedures for sending visual messages with flags using the International Code of Signals

procedures for using a flashing light to send messages using Morse code

visual signalling of single letter signals as specified in the International Code of Signals

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (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

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.

O – Watchkeeping