Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulatory requirements.

Work is performed as an integrated rating under the supervision of the responsible officers with some accountability and responsibility for self in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of established procedures and techniques to the cargo and bunkering tasks falling within the limits of responsibility of an integrated rating on a vessel. Following of orders and instructions of the officer on watch is required.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Assistance in cargo operations may be provided:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and loading
while underway
while in port
while moored or at anchor.

Dry cargo may include:
general cargo stored in a cargo space or on a hatch
deck cargo
cargo containers
vehicles and trailers
equipment and stores
bulk cargo.

Bunkering tasks may include:
carrying out pre-bunkering activities
completing a checklist for bunkering activities
routine bunkering activities
containment of spills
emergency response
carrying out post-bunkering activities.

Operational hazards for dry cargo operations may include:
moving heavy loads using unsafe lifting procedures
unsecured cargo, deck machinery, components or equipment
slippery deck
moving and rotating machinery
faulty lifting/lashing gear and equipment
using equipment beyond safe working limits
poor housekeeping procedures
working in confined spaces
non-compliance with safe working procedures.

Operational hazards for tanker and bunkering operations may include:
sources of ignition leading to explosion and fire
electrostatic generation leading to discharge
environmental hazards to air and water
reactivity hazards including effects of self-reaction, temperature and effects of air, water, impurities and other chemicals and reagents
spills or release of toxic fluids, vapours and gases, involving skin contact and inhalation
corrosion hazards to personnel, vessel structures and equipment
working in confined spaces.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
orders and instructions of the officer on watch
vessel and company procedures.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
ISM Code
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Assist in carrying out hatch cover operations
Assist in cleaning and preparing cargo spaces
Assist in the lashing of cargo
Assist in tanker cargo operations
Assist in bunkering operations
Apply all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during cargo and bunkering operations
Communicate effectively with others during cargo and bunkering operations.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of an integrated rating on a trading vessel.

Required knowledge and skills
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation and policies
Cargo handling and bunkering procedures on board a vessel
Functions and responsibilities of the officers and crew members during cargo and bunkering operations on board a vessel
Procedures for various cargo and bunkering operations on a vessel, including:
carrying out hatch cover operations
cleaning and preparing cargo spaces
lashing and securing of various types of cargo
bunkering operations (as required of an integrated rating)
setting up the valve and pipework system of a tanker (as required of an integrated rating)
tank cleaning and gas freeing operations on a tanker (as required of an integrated rating)
Hazards and related safety precautions when carrying out cargo and bunkering operations
Special hazards and precautions for cargo operations on board tankers, including:
tank layouts and valve and pipeline systems on various types of tankers
physical properties of oils, gases and chemicals carried in bulk
basic principles of toxicity
causes of explosions on tankers and related preventative measures
safety, environmental, reactive, corrosive and other hazards associated with tanker and bulk cargoes and related hazard control methods
procedures and policies for the use of personal protection clothing and equipment (PPE)
procedures for the use of escape/evacuation equipment
procedures for the prevention of air and water pollution
procedures to be taken in the event of an accidental cargo spillage of liquid cargo on a tanker
Techniques and precautions required when lashing various types of cargo carried on vessels
Basic environmental protection measures during cargo and bunkering operations
Communication techniques and equipment used during cargo and bunkering operations on board a vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
demonstrate the ability to assist in routine cargo and bunkering tasks on board a vessel through appropriate case studies, practical exercises and simulated situations; and/or
assist in routine cargo and bunkering tasks on board an operational commercial or training vessel.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out hatch cover operations
cleaning and preparing cargo spaces
lashing cargo
assisting in tanker cargo operations
assisting in bunkering operations
exercising all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during cargo and bunkering operations
communicating effectively with others during cargo and bunkering operations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
job procedures and work instructions
instructions and orders of officers on the vessel.

Action taken promptly to report operational incidents and problems in accordance with established procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.