Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Factors:
· sea condition:
· wave height
· chop
· effect of current direction on wave height
· visibility:
· fog
· rain
· low light conditions
· operational limits
· navigational hazards
· fire.

Work plan:
· ability to make safe havens:
· mother ship
· shore
· alternative sources of propulsion
· ability to remove water from the vessel by:
· bailing
· bilge pump
· removing the drainage plug while planing
· ability to use alternative steering.

Safety equipment and spares:
· communications equipment
· bailing or bilge pumping arrangements
· fire extinguishers
· personal floatation devices
· alternative sources of propulsion and steering
· anchoring devices
· bilge removal systems
· distress signalling devices:
· flares, flags, emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), other methods
· water
· tools and spare parts
· torch and batteries.

Loads:
· distribution and securing procedures
· passengers
· catch
· cargo:
· fishing gear
· diving equipment
· oyster farm equipment
· aquaculture nets and gear
· stock feed
· monitoring equipment.

Government requirements:
Relevant local, State/Territory and Commonwealth legislation, regulations and orders.

Limits:
· distance from supervision
· distance from safe haven
· operational limits
· speed limits
· sectors
· proximity to dangers
· range of fuel tank.

Manoeuvred:
· using outboard motor
· using oars
· alternative steering.

Tasks:
· berthing
· unberthing
· anchoring, sea anchoring
· reversing
· manoeuvring in confined areas or heavy seas
· towing
· approaching a beach or landing
· recovering person overboard.

Maintained:
By controlling:
· corrosion
· hull fractures and fatigue
· hull damage
· cleanliness.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The underpinning knowledge identified for this unit goes into more depth due to its likely inclusion in a group of units that may be used as the basis for the issue of licences by regulatory bodies.

The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· vessel loading specifications and the location of this information
· effect of load distribution on centre of gravity
· impact of wind and current on sea conditions and the effect on dinghies
· effect of a shift in cargo on stability.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
· making an adequate stability assessment prior to loading
· minimising free surface effect
· manoeuvring small vessels using a range of propulsion techniques
· sea survival, fire fighting and first aid techniques.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading manufacturer's operational and loading specification and the use by date of flares
· reading manufacturer's period of validity of pyrotechnics.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· manoeuvre a small vessel while engaged in common tasks
· ensure the vessel remains within operational limits.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· effect of overloading and poor stability practices
· effect of sea state on vessel performance
· pre-operational checks of propulsion system, dinghy and safety equipment.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· SFISHIP207B - Operate and maintain outboard motors.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· written or oral short answer testing
· practical exercises
· project work
· observation of practical demonstration.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· fully operational vessel powered by an outboard motor.