Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:15 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:15 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Work in the marine surveying sector
Work in the marine surveying sector
Unit of competency
National Code
MARM3004A
MARM3004A
State Code
WG497
WG497
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/02/2014
Field of Education
031701 - Maritime Engineering
Original Release Date
07/02/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to work in the marine surveying sector. It includes identifying and accessing relevant industry standards and regulations for conducting surveys of domestic commercial vessels. It also looks at the role and legal responsibilities of a marine surveyor for domestic commercial vessels, the survey task and the statutory requirements for surveying commercial vessels.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Scope framework for marine surveys
- 1.1 International and national authorities that govern the maritime industry are identified
- 1.2 Standards, legislation and regulations applicable to marine surveyor and marine surveying tasks for commercial vessels are identified and accessed
- 1.3 Standards, legislation and regulations applicable to marine environment protection and its relation to marine surveys and inspections are identified and accessed
- 1.4 Range of clients and stakeholders who would require marine surveyor and/or inspector services are identified
- 1.5 Legal standing of marine survey report is explained
- 1.6 Legal and/or financial implications for inaccurate reporting of marine survey are explained
2 Clarify areas of responsibility for marine surveyors
- 2.1 Range of services provided by marine surveyors is outlined
- 2.2 International and national conventions, laws and codes of practice that govern and regulate marine surveys of commercial vessels are identified
- 2.3 Behavioural characteristics, ethics and personal conduct required of a marine surveyor are explained
3 Determine requirements for conducting commercial vessel survey
- 3.1 Different types of marine surveyors and their roles are accurately defined
- 3.2 Terms ‘survey’ and ‘audit’ are accurately explained in relation to commercial vessel survey
- 3.3 Purpose and range of commercial vessels surveys is accurately outlined
4 Scope survey process under supervision
- 4.1 Objectives, principal work activities, costs and constraints are identified and explained
- 4.2 Relevant standards, legislation and regulations are defined in relation to conducting commercial vessel marine surveys
- 4.3 Procedures and processes for collecting information when conducting a survey are outlined
- 4.4 Importance of communicating with others is explained and implemented
- 4.5 Tools and equipment required to conduct a range of different marine surveys are identified
- 4.6 Relevant survey and supporting documents related to type of survey are identified and accessed
- 4.7 Process of gathering relevant information through observation is outlined
- 4.8 Importance of accurate recording of information and events during and after a survey is explained
- 4.9 Requirements for use of verified factual information when making recommendations are identified
5 Identify scope of surveyor behavioural conduct and ethics
- 5.1 Behavioural characteristics and personal conduct required of a marine surveyor are outlined
- 5.2 Conflicts of interest and other vested interests that would affect survey outcome and/or report are identified and resolved with surveyor
- 5.3 Strategies to deal effectively with conflicts of interest are applied
- 5.4 Risks related to possible confrontations and need for effective risk management techniques are identified and discussed with surveyor
6 Outline requirements of an effective survey report
- 6.1 Appropriate formats for a range of different survey reports are identified
- 6.2 Means of presenting survey report to a range of stakeholders are explained
- 6.3 Reports are reviewed by relevant personnel and achievement of document objectives and requirements are outlined
- 6.4 Security of information and privacy requirements are identified
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.
Authorities may include:
AMSA and their delegates
Workplace and or industry health and safety committees
Standards may include:
National Standard for the Administration of Marine Safety (NSAMS)
NSCV/USL Code
WHS/OHS standards
Legislation may include:
Government legislation and regulations relating to:
environmental protection
maritime
international legislation/codes of behaviour
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law
Navigation Act
WHS/OHS legislation, regulations, codes of practice
Commercial vessels may include:
Vessels identified as commercial vessels in national law
Clients and stakeholders may include:
Classification societies
Environmental agencies/authorities
Government bodies
Insurers and financiers
Lawyers
Owners and operators of vessels and/or charters
Port authorities
Salvage associations
International and national conventions, laws and codes of practice may include:
International convention:
collision regulations
load lines
maritime labour convention (MLC)
MARPOL
SOLAS
Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW)
Relevant maritime legislation and regulations
Relevant WHS/OHS legislation and policies
Types of marine surveyors may include:
Classification society (class)
Government (statutory)
Independent (private)
Insurance company
Purpose may include:
Damage or accident, survey or investigation assistance
Fitness of vessel and/or crew for its purpose
MLC
Vessel related surveys for:
compass adjustment
radio surveys
hull/machinery/safety equipment
load line
Costs may include:
Associated costs such as travel, accommodation
Conducting the survey
Preparation time for the survey
Writing the survey
Constraints may include:
Geographical
Inclement weather
Legal
Timeframes
WHS/OHS risks
Processes for collecting information may include:
Gathering relevant facts
Maintaining case files
Observing
Obtaining linear measurement
Reviewing supporting documentation
Sampling
Specimen collection
Taking photographs
Communicating may include:
Active listening
Constructive feedback
Control of tone of voice
Questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
Using language and concepts appropriate to the individual
Using open and enquiring questions
Using positive, confident and cooperative language
Verbal and non-verbal language
Tools and equipment may include:
Business technology, internet connection, sounding tapes
Communication equipment
Drill, hammer/welder’s hammer, draft survey hydrometer, screw driver
Entry authority
Hydrometer, thermometers, scraper
Labels, plastic sampling bags, sampling equipment
Mirror, small mallet
Notebook
Personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, overalls, boots, hearing protection, goggles, masks)
Recording equipment, Dictaphone, camera, mobile phone, pocket calculator
Satellite imagery, photographs
Storage equipment/facilities
Tape measure/measuring wheel
Survey documents may include:
Checklists
Guidelines
Relevant legislation and extracts from standards
Supporting documents may include:
Case files/incident reports
Certificates of survey, operation, registration
Commercial documentation
Deck and engine logs
Forms (such as application forms, notification forms)
Nautical charts and publications
Notices (such as seizure notice, infringement notice)
Operating manuals and owner instructions
Plans
Previous surveys
Safety management system
Ship log books and other recordkeeping instruments
Vessel stability book
Voyage details, stow plans and manifest
Relevant personnel may include:
Crew
Manager of private survey company
Owners or owner representatives of vessels and/or charters
Port authorities
Representatives of:
classification societies
government
law firm
protection and indemnity clubs
Salvage associations
Stevedores
Work colleagues
Authorities may include:
AMSA and their delegates
Workplace and or industry health and safety committees
Standards may include:
National Standard for the Administration of Marine Safety (NSAMS)
NSCV/USL Code
WHS/OHS standards
Legislation may include:
Government legislation and regulations relating to:
environmental protection
maritime
international legislation/codes of behaviour
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law
Navigation Act
WHS/OHS legislation, regulations, codes of practice
Commercial vessels may include:
Vessels identified as commercial vessels in national law
Clients and stakeholders may include:
Classification societies
Environmental agencies/authorities
Government bodies
Insurers and financiers
Lawyers
Owners and operators of vessels and/or charters
Port authorities
Salvage associations
International and national conventions, laws and codes of practice may include:
International convention:
collision regulations
load lines
maritime labour convention (MLC)
MARPOL
SOLAS
Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW)
Relevant maritime legislation and regulations
Relevant WHS/OHS legislation and policies
Types of marine surveyors may include:
Classification society (class)
Government (statutory)
Independent (private)
Insurance company
Purpose may include:
Damage or accident, survey or investigation assistance
Fitness of vessel and/or crew for its purpose
MLC
Vessel related surveys for:
compass adjustment
radio surveys
hull/machinery/safety equipment
load line
Costs may include:
Associated costs such as travel, accommodation
Conducting the survey
Preparation time for the survey
Writing the survey
Constraints may include:
Geographical
Inclement weather
Legal
Timeframes
WHS/OHS risks
Processes for collecting information may include:
Gathering relevant facts
Maintaining case files
Observing
Obtaining linear measurement
Reviewing supporting documentation
Sampling
Specimen collection
Taking photographs
Communicating may include:
Active listening
Constructive feedback
Control of tone of voice
Questioning to clarify and confirm understanding
Using language and concepts appropriate to the individual
Using open and enquiring questions
Using positive, confident and cooperative language
Verbal and non-verbal language
Tools and equipment may include:
Business technology, internet connection, sounding tapes
Communication equipment
Drill, hammer/welder’s hammer, draft survey hydrometer, screw driver
Entry authority
Hydrometer, thermometers, scraper
Labels, plastic sampling bags, sampling equipment
Mirror, small mallet
Notebook
Personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, overalls, boots, hearing protection, goggles, masks)
Recording equipment, Dictaphone, camera, mobile phone, pocket calculator
Satellite imagery, photographs
Storage equipment/facilities
Tape measure/measuring wheel
Survey documents may include:
Checklists
Guidelines
Relevant legislation and extracts from standards
Supporting documents may include:
Case files/incident reports
Certificates of survey, operation, registration
Commercial documentation
Deck and engine logs
Forms (such as application forms, notification forms)
Nautical charts and publications
Notices (such as seizure notice, infringement notice)
Operating manuals and owner instructions
Plans
Previous surveys
Safety management system
Ship log books and other recordkeeping instruments
Vessel stability book
Voyage details, stow plans and manifest
Relevant personnel may include:
Crew
Manager of private survey company
Owners or owner representatives of vessels and/or charters
Port authorities
Representatives of:
classification societies
government
law firm
protection and indemnity clubs
Salvage associations
Stevedores
Work colleagues
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge
effectively liaising with internal and external authorities and/or agencies.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where working in the marine surveying sector can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate working in the marine surveying sector
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
ensuring currency of relevant legislative and regulatory knowledge
effectively liaising with internal and external authorities and/or agencies.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where working in the marine surveying sector can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate working in the marine surveying sector
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUG29 | MARM004 | Work in the marine surveying sector | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J556 | MAR30613 | Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Surveying) | Qualification |