Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 2:19 AM AWST

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Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations

Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations

Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR014A
State Code
D5519
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
17/08/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency required to maintain a small powercraft and motor, to operate a small powercraft and to direct crew during rescue operations.This unit replaces PUASAR010B Undertake a rescue operation in a small powercraft.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification reuirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and 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.
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
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
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAX79 PUASAR014 Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations Unit of competency
No information