ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Prepare powercraft and motor for operations

1.1 Relevant logbooks are reviewed for previous operational feedback and pre-use information is completed in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Pre-launch check of motor and fuel cell is completed and motor and fuel cell is installed on powercraft in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.

1.3 Crewperson is overseen in pre-launch checking of powercraft and ancillary equipment.

1.4 Own personal protective equipment (PPE) is applied or stowed as appropriate and application or stowing of PPE by crewperson is overseen.

1.5 Two way radio equipment is prepared for operational communications.

2 Transport powercraft to launch site

2.1 Powercraft is transported to launch site ensuring safe manual handling by crew and other support personnel.

2.2 Powercraft is unloaded and positioned at water's edge ready for operational activities in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3 Safety brief is completed with crewperson and other team members.

3 Launch and operate powercraft through surf

3.1 Own level of competence and that of crewperson is reviewed in relation to surf conditions.

3.2 Powercraft is lead, lifted and dragged to water with crewperson.

3.3 Motor is started when appropriate and safe to do so.

3.4 Powercraft is boarded safely and a secure position is assumed.

3.5 Crewperson is instructed to enter craft when appropriate in accordance with surf conditions.

3.6 Instructions are communicated to crewperson as required.

4 Maintain a safe working environment for self and crew

4.1 Powercraft is operated safely around bathing public in accordance with prevailing surf conditions.

4.2 Safe distances from bathing public and hazards in the water are maintained.

4.3 Communication is maintained with shore and crewperson.

4.4 Smooth and safe operational conditions of powercraft is maintained in accordance with prevailing surf conditions.

4.5 Emergency procedures are implmented in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.6 Powercraft is safely manoeuvred without operational motor.

5 Perform rescue and operational task

5.1 Requests for assistance/tasks from supervisor or communicator are acknowledged.

5.2 Rescue/task information is communicated to crewperson.

5.3 Operational tasks are safely performed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

5.4 Crewperson is directed to retrieve casualty/object using appropriate retrieval techniques.

6 Return powercraft to shore safely

6.1 Safety and security of powercraft, powercraft driver, crewperson and casualty/cargo for beaching is maintained.

6.2 Permission to return to shore is signalled in accordance with organisational procedures.

6.3 Observation for hazards is maintained.

6.4 Craft is beached on shoreline with appropriate speed/direction.

6.5 Casualty is lead/cargo is lifted and removed from powercraft.

6.6 Safe position of craft is maintained in accordance with organisational procedures and operational readiness.

7 Recover and restore powercraft

7.1 Powercraft is transported to storage using safe manual handling techniques.

7.2 Post-operational checks and maintenance of motor are performed according to operational procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.

7.3 Post-operational checks are supervised, powercraft is washed down and ancillary equipment is stored by crewperson.

7.4 Powercraft and motor are stored in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.5 Crewperson is debriefed and operational documentation is completed.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

communicate effectively with colleagues

handle boats confidently and safely (specifically when coming alongside and towing)

lead crew

safely handle casualty

secure small boats using knots and lashings

swim in the surf in moderate conditions

use radio communication

use rescue tubes

use recognised signals

Required Knowledge

basic motor faults and associated repairs such as:

restarting a motor after capsize

loose ignition leads

air in fuel cell and motor

loose components

duties of a powercraft crewperson

effects of wind, tide, swell and ocean floor on surf conditions

features and signs of rips, gutters, sweeps and currents

local hazards and environmental threats

local operating procedures and organisational standards

onboard fire drill

organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

pre- and post-operational maintenance of powercraft and motor

self-rescue techniques

surf awareness including beach safety zones

surf hazards

surf survival techniques

types of waves and their characteristic features

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

operate a powercraft during rescue operations in a range surf conditions

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated surf conditions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed by completing rescue boat operations, exercises or scenarios.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

equipment used in rescue boat operations

open water

range of challenging surf conditions relevant to the area of operations

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Relevant logbooks may include:

Equipment service logs

Patrol/service logs

Powercraft operations logs

Operational feedback may include:

Equipment damage

New or variations to hazards in the local environment

Operational readiness of equipment

Pre-launch checking of motor and fuel cell may include:

Correct operation of cooling system

Efficient starting of motor

Engine cowling securely attached

Engine runs and idles satisfactorily

Ensuring sufficient fuel for proposed operation

No damage or leaking from fuel cell or hoses

Operation of forward and reverse gears

Propeller safety guard securely attached in accordance with organisational requirements

Propeller undamaged and securely attached

Pre-launch checking of powercraft may include:

Checking handles and footstraps are secure

Checking pressure of inflatable pontoons

Ensuring all ancillary equipment is operational and correctly stowed

Ensuring no sharp areas

Ensuring no wear

Ancillary equipment may include:

Knife

Paddles

Rescue tube

Tow rope

Two way radio

Whistle

Transport may include:

Carrying craft

Moving on a beach trolley

Towing with an ATV or 4WD

Surf conditions may include:

Calm water

Choppy

Large surf

Plunging shorebreak

Small surf

Secure position includes:

Grasping appropriate handles and placing feet in footstraps as required

Instructions may include:

Moving fore or aft or leaning in or out of the powercraft to maintain trim

Performance of emergency procedures

Retrieval of casualty or object from the water

Hazards may include:

Adverse weather

Choppy water surface condition

Large surf

Marine creature

People swimming

Rocks

Seaweed

Emergency procedures may include:

Abandoning powercraft drill

Acting as an outrigger in the event of motor failure in the surf zone

Fire on board powercraft drill

Powercraft capsize drill

Manoeuvring powercraft without operational motor may include:

Holding onto ropes while in the water to stabilise the craft and to avoid capsize

Surfing the powercraft to shore with operator and crew acting as outriggers

Swimming and repositioning the craft

Using paddles

Assistance/task may include:

Aquatic event safety surveillance

Rescuing distressed swimmer, drowning casualty

Transporting equipment/supplies

Communicator may include:

Club/service team member

Distressed swimmer

Member of the public

Radio operator

Retrieval techniques may include:

Leaving powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube

Reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty/object on board

Post-operational checks and maintenance of motor may include:

Checking motor, propeller and propeller guard for damage and secure attachment

Correctly operating cooling system

Flushing motor

Refilling fuel cell

Running of motor