Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations including the relevant sections of the Australian Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code.

Work is performed within broad operational requirements, with responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards and limited responsibility for others in achieving the specified quality and quantity of outcomes.

Work involves application of established marine techniques for the damage control of a damaged hull on a small vessel and the application of solutions to a defined range of unpredictable hull damage situations. Planning and administering the damage control procedures is required.
Work requires the exercise of some discretion and responsibility for the management of damage control measures in the event of damage to the hull of a small vessel.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian commercial vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power.

Damage control measures may need to be exercised:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of sea, weather and loading
while underway
during berthing and unberthing operations
while anchoring or mooring.

Damage to the hull of a vessel may occur through:
collision with another vessel
running aground
excessive stress on a vessel's hull structure
effects of heavy seas and weather conditions
deterioration or corrosion of vessel's hull and structure
explosion onboard the vessel
fire onboard the vessel
failure of pressurised pipes.

Damage control measures in a flooding emergency may include:
use of softwood wedges and plugs to reduce water ingress
application of shoring techniques
construction and fitting of a leak-stopping mat
temporary repair of a ruptured pressurised pipe
operation of portable salvage pumps.

Action taken to monitor the condition and seaworthiness of a vessel may include:
routine inspections
checks prior to departure
checks on completion of a voyage
checks on completion of maintenance activities
checks in anticipation of a change in sea and weather conditions
use of testing tanks to check watertight integrity
checks during an emergency which may have caused damage or changes to the seaworthiness of the vessel.

Repairs and maintenance procedures may include:
repairs to equipment, components, hull and vessel's structure
basic surface repairs
replacement of faulty equipment or components.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
vessel's damage control and emergency procedures
ship's log
company procedures for monitoring of the condition and seaworthiness of vessel
vessel and equipment manufacturer's instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
maintenance schedules and records
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code and IMO STCW Conventions and Codes
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities related to the seaworthiness of vessels
relevant Australian and international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of Australian USL Code related to the seaworthiness of vessels
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders related to the seaworthiness of vessels
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Monitor and evaluate the condition of the hull and the seaworthiness of a small vessel under normal and emergency situations
Identify any damage or deterioration of the vessel's hull, structure or related equipment
Take appropriate preventative and remedial action to maintain the security and watertight integrity of the vessel's hull
Initiate and coordinate measures to control any damage to the hull of a small vessel in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer's instructions
Identify typical problems related to the seaworthiness of a vessel and take appropriate action in conjunction with others
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during damage control operations
Communicate effectively with others when taking action to maintain the seaworthiness of the vessel.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency may be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of a Marine Engine Driver (Grade 1).

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of sections of the IMO STCW Convention and Codes and AMSA Marine Orders dealing with the seaworthiness of vessels and damage control in the event of damage to a vessel's hull
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Typical procedures for the checking and inspecting a vessel's seaworthiness to ensure compliance with the company procedures and established safety rules and regulations
Damage control measures that may be required to maintain the integrity of the hull in a range of typical emergency situations that could occur on a vessel and the specific action to be taken in the event of flooding of a vessel
Typical construction features and materials and stress characteristics for small vessels of up to 1,500 kW propulsion power
Typical procedures for the initiation and coordination of repair and/or replacement procedures on board vessels
Typical corrosion control measures including surface preparation and painting and antifouling
Safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to inspection and maintenance operations
Principle features of the structure of a vessel
A basic understanding of the properties and application of materials used in vessel construction
Construction, layout and subdivision requirements of a typical vessel, including and understanding of freeboard and bulkhead deck, watertight compartments, weathertight compartments and the bulkhead of the vessel
Principles and procedures to ensure the watertight integrity of a vessel's hull in both normal and emergency situations
Maritime communication techniques needed when monitoring the condition of a vessel and taking any related action
Types of records that must be maintained regarding hull damage incidents and inspections of the seaworthiness of a vessel to meet the requirements of the company and regulatory authorities.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to:
participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to monitor hull condition and carry out damage control measures in the event of hull damage on a small vessel, and/or
assist in maintaining the hull integrity and seaworthiness of a vessel in a range of operational situations either:
using an appropriate simulator over an appropriate range of simulated hull damage situations
in appropriate practical real or simulated situations on an operational small commercial or training vessel up to 1,500 kW propulsion power.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
carrying out routine and emergency monitoring of a vessel's hull and seaworthiness
identifying and evaluating problems concerning the condition of a vessel and the integrity of its hull and determining an appropriate courses of action
initiating and coordinating any required repair or maintenance activities to ensure the seaworthiness of a vessel
applying safety precautions relevant to monitoring, repair and maintenance operations
identifying and implementing improvements to procedures for monitoring the condition of the hull and the seaworthiness of a vessel.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO STCW Convention and Code and AMSA Marine Orders
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant vessel manufacturer's guidelines relating to the seaworthiness the vessel
quality procedures (where existing)
procedures to protect the integrity and security of the vessel's hull.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify problems with the seaworthiness of a vessel and the integrity of its hull in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, statutory requirements and company procedures.

Recognises and adapts appropriately to cultural differences on board vessel in behaviour and interactions among officers, crew and passengers, where relevant.

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.