Assessor Resource

MARF036
Coordinate search and rescue operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to assist in planning and coordinating search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

Master of a commercial vessel Unlimited.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Master Unlimited and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Those regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying procedures from the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

attending to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping

establishing radio communications and following correct communications procedures at all stages of search and rescue (SAR) operations

identifying and solving problems that may arise during SAR operations, reporting problems and issues, and taking appropriate action based on available information

liaising effectively with internal and external authorities/agencies

modifying activities according to vessel contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during SAR operations and taking appropriate action

planning to coordinate SAR operations according to international guidelines and standards

providing one of the following high-quality reports:

briefings to authorities

initial advice forms

management reports and briefings

messaging systems

taking appropriate initiative for SAR operations

using relevant publications, charts, meteorological data, particulars of vessels involved, radio communications equipment and other available facilities.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

chain of command and organisational requirements used in SAR operations

external authorities/agencies

IAMSAR Manual

limits of the vessel and the environment, including:

fuel range

prevailing weather

propulsion

sea conditions

steering

vessel stability

maritime communications techniques applicable to SAR operations

principles involved in determining the duration and scope of a SAR

responsibilities when participating in SAR operations

SAR techniques and procedures

sequence of actions to be taken after sighting or receiving a distress signal or call for assistance

types of emergency signals

types of distress and emergency, and response required in each case, including:

ditched aircraft

person/s in distress in sea

person/s in distress in survival craft

vessel/s in distress

types of search patterns and their application

typical SAR problems and appropriate actions and solutions

WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry, including one or more of the following resources:

communications systems

electronic aids

equipment

facilities

fuel

instructions

maps/charts

people

vessels.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying procedures from the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

attending to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping

establishing radio communications and following correct communications procedures at all stages of search and rescue (SAR) operations

identifying and solving problems that may arise during SAR operations, reporting problems and issues, and taking appropriate action based on available information

liaising effectively with internal and external authorities/agencies

modifying activities according to vessel contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during SAR operations and taking appropriate action

planning to coordinate SAR operations according to international guidelines and standards

providing one of the following high-quality reports:

briefings to authorities

initial advice forms

management reports and briefings

messaging systems

taking appropriate initiative for SAR operations

using relevant publications, charts, meteorological data, particulars of vessels involved, radio communications equipment and other available facilities.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

chain of command and organisational requirements used in SAR operations

external authorities/agencies

IAMSAR Manual

limits of the vessel and the environment, including:

fuel range

prevailing weather

propulsion

sea conditions

steering

vessel stability

maritime communications techniques applicable to SAR operations

principles involved in determining the duration and scope of a SAR

responsibilities when participating in SAR operations

SAR techniques and procedures

sequence of actions to be taken after sighting or receiving a distress signal or call for assistance

types of emergency signals

types of distress and emergency, and response required in each case, including:

ditched aircraft

person/s in distress in sea

person/s in distress in survival craft

vessel/s in distress

types of search patterns and their application

typical SAR problems and appropriate actions and solutions

WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry, including one or more of the following resources:

communications systems

electronic aids

equipment

facilities

fuel

instructions

maps/charts

people

vessels.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Distress and emergency signals, and communications are recognised and evaluated 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crew members are informed of the scenario and strategy 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Radio communication is established and maintained with all parties involved in the SAR operations 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Communications systems are identified as appropriate to the situation and the strategy 
 
Duration of the SAR operation is determined by the level of emergency 
 
 
 
Records of the SAR are made in the vessel log 
 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MARF036 - Coordinate search and rescue operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MARF036 - Coordinate search and rescue operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: