This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to navigate a vessel in an aquatic environment including inland rivers, lakes, dams, surf zones and oceans, using a range of navigation equipment and techniques, while undertaking a search and rescue.

It includes determining current location, destination and resources; determining and planning a safe route or course; navigating to a destination; returning to home port and completing post navigational activities.

The unit is applicable in a range of open or closed water situations where a vessel of varying sizes is required to navigate. It typically applies to personnel from emergency services, volunteer organisations and/or organisations where surveillance and rescue operations in an open or closed water environment is required.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Determine current location, destination and resources

1.1

Incident location and task information are obtained from vessel in distress or organisational base station

1.2

Maps, charts, electronic navigation aids and equipment are prepared and made ready for use

1.3

Drift, leeway and tidal influences are identified and recorded on charts

1.4

Current location and estimated destination of vessel in distress are plotted on a chart using coastal navigational techniques within accepted tolerances

2

Determine and plan a safe routeorcourse

2.1

Operational plan is compiled including intercept and rendezvous chart work

2.2

All plots are recorded on a chart allowing for variables and weather conditions, in accordance with organisational operating procedures

2.3

Rescue vessel's speed in sea and weather conditions is estimated and allowances are made to provide for an estimated time of arrival

2.4

Hazards en-route to the incident are researched to determine a safe route or course

3

Navigate to destination

3.1

Route or course is checked, monitored and maintained using navigational aids and with alternates plotted, if required

3.2

Helmsman is instructed to follow planned route or course and crew look outs are instructed to report any sightings including other marine traffic

3.3

Regular position fixes are undertaken to determine rescue vessel's position relative to planned route

3.4

Search and rescue patterns are initiated within incident area where distressed vessel or survivors are believed to be located

3.5

En-route and arrival position reporting information is communicated to organisational base station

4

Return to home port

4.1

Course or route to return to home port with distressed vessel in tow or with survivors aboard is set, on resolution of the incident

4.2

Navigational techniques are used to ensure a safe and timely return to home or alternate port, as instructed by state and/or territory authorities

5

Complete post navigational activities

5.1

Navigation reports are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Navigational equipment is recovered, reset, updated and serviced, in accordance with operational procedures and manufacturers' specifications

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.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Public Safety

Operations