Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist the officer of the watch to safely navigate the vessel and conduct a watch in sole charge of a vessel. It requires the ability to maintain and exchange a watch, monitor the vessel and weather, communicate with crew members and seek and clarify advice when required.
This unit applies to individuals who navigate small vessels as used in aquaculture or fishing operations.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, food safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace. Licences will be required to operate a vessel.
Licencing and regulatory requirements apply to this unit. Users are required to check with the relevant maritime authority for requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Perform exchange of watch | 1.1 Check information required for exchange of watch, including identification of any safety risks, is complete, accurate and relevant to both personnel and existing circumstances 1.2 Perform handover and relief of watch according to principles and procedures of watchkeeping 1.3 Clarify watch information or instructions that are unclear or ambiguous |
2. Contribute to the navigational watch | 2.1 Ensure displayed or given lights, shapes and sound signals conform with regulatory requirements 2.2 Maintain lookout at all times according to principles and procedures of watchkeeping 2.3 Provide clear and concise reports and exchanges of navigational information, including reporting any safety risks and hazards 2.4 Monitor traffic, the vessel, weather watchkeeping and hazards with appropriate frequency and intensity 2.5 Ensure frequency and degree of performance checks to navigational equipment comply with skipper requirements |
3. Manoeuvre the vessel during watch | 3.1 Make manoeuvres to safely progress the planned voyage and comply with received instructions 3.2 Operate engine control systems to progress planned passage and complement helm movements 3.3 Steer course steadily within acceptable limits of area of navigation and existing state of aquatic environment 3.4 Ensure course alterations are smooth and controlled with minimal over shoot 3.5 Ensure communication is clear, concise and acknowledged at all times 3.6 Change steering modes according to operating instructions, area, wind and state of aquatic environment, and marine notices 3.7 Maintain vessel steering systems within safe operating limits during normal manoeuvres |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Numeracy | Interprets navigational data and vessel control information |
Reading | Identifies buoyage and navigational marks from charts Reads meteorological information and instruments |
Navigate the world of work | Follows workplace procedures and safe vessel operating requirements relevant to own role and responsibilities Understands main tasks, responsibilities and boundaries of own role |
Interact with others | Selects and uses appropriate terminology and questions when communicating with others |
Get the work done | Implements standard solutions for routine navigational problems Accesses and interprets vessel system controls and indicators |
Sectors
Vessel Operations (VOP)