Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Maintain fast rescue craft for operations
  2. Prepare fast rescue craft and crew for operations
  3. Take charge of fast rescue craft during and after launch
  4. Respond to emergencies or malfunctions involving craft, equipment and crew
  5. Locate and retrieve casualties
  6. Recover fast rescue craft

Range Statement

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

Drive systems and manoeuvres include one or more of the following:

inboard/outboard

jet

jet drives

outboard

rudder

single propeller

twin propeller

Craft righting systems include one of the following:

inflatable bag supported by stern mounted roll bar that is accessible from outside the craft

rope mounted on the outside of the craft

Launch systems and recovery systems include one or more of the following:

deck crane or davit

four point sling with fixed eye

rig crane

solid mounted frame using fixed hook assembly

Manoeuvres include one or more of the following:

approaching a casualty in the water

coming alongside and leaving a moving vessel

coming alongside or leaving a pontoon, jetty or other fixed object

following search patterns

high speed approaches

pacing a vessel or helicopter

positioning craft for casualty pick-up

towing or being towed by other craft

transferring personnel or equipment to or from stationary or moving point

turning through 180 degrees in a narrow channel requiring forward and reverse movement

Emergencies include one or more of the following:

capsize

collision

crew or equipment overboard

electrical or mechanical failure

injury to crew

leaks or flooding


Performance Evidence

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

completing vessel logbooks

conducting pre-launch and ongoing craft and equipment checks in relation to:

ancillary equipment required on board

battery

bowsing line operability

communications equipment

compass

crane operability

drive units including oil levels, clearance from obstruction, tilt levels, nozzle operation where applicable

electrical equipment

engine levels including oil, water and v-belts

engine operability

fuel lines and pumps

hull integrity

launch capability

lifting sling or hook

lines of communication

operational procedures and requirements

personal protective equipment availability and operability

search light

specialised emergency equipment

steering

switches

tow rope

effectively using personal protective equipment and foul weather gear including:

eye protection, sunscreen protective footwear, safety helmet and gloves

immersion suits, inflatable life jacket, overalls, wet weather gear

implementing appropriate casualty recovery procedures

implementing emergency first aid procedures including:

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

care following fuel ingestion

care of burns, breaks and fractures

control of hypothermia, control of internal or external bleeding, shock

determining the extent of head and spine injury and appropriate care

expired air resuscitation

monitoring of vital signs

implementing personal survival techniques required of seafarers as referenced in Section A VI/1 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standards of Training and Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW) 95 Code

launching and operating fast rescue craft and equipment by day or night in both normal and emergency situations under normal and adverse conditions of sea and weather while:

anchored or moored

hove to

under way

maintaining and undertaking emergency repair of craft and auxiliary equipment

operating fast rescue craft in prevailing sea and weather conditions including:

broken or rough water

cross-winds, swell and/or tide

wind, swell and/or tide running with the craft

wind, swell and/or tide running against the craft

reading and interpreting IMO safety symbols by night and day

swimming in personal protective equipment, foul weather gear or specialised protective equipment

undertaking appropriate search patterns including:

creeping line

expanding square

parallel track search using one, two or three craft

sector search

ship/aircraft coordinated pattern

using launch and recovery equipment including:

buoyant bailer, ladles, rescue buoyant quoits with 30 metre line, 15 metre painter, 50 metre buoyant towing line

compass, whistle, waterproof electric torch and waterproof search light

first aid kit

sea anchor

tool kit

using signals and communications equipment including:

flair pack containing handheld orange smoke flairs, handheld red flairs and handheld rocket flairs

radar reflector

using specialised emergency equipment including:

buoyant safety line

safety buoyant clasp knife

thermal protective aids

fire extinguisher

foot pump

safety boat hook.


Knowledge Evidence

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

effects of sea and weather conditions on fast rescue craft operations

equipment maintenance and emergency repair procedures

fast rescue craft:

hull construction (such as inflatable hulls, rigid hulls, semi-rigid hulls)

hull flotation systems (such as foam filled collar, inflatable collar, inflatable pontoons, sealed floor)

International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code) safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions

launch and recovery equipment, procedures and safety precautions

manoeuvring and engine characteristics for fast rescue craft including handling strategies to overcome hazards caused by a head sea, a following sea and a beam sea

operational features and correct use of the motion compensation system in use

outfitting of fast rescue craft such as auxiliary equipment, specialised emergency equipment and communications equipment

personal survival techniques required of all seafarers

procedures and sequences of action for correctly operating and using fast rescue craft

relevant sections of:

International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) manual

relevant Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) publications such as Survival at Sea : a Training and Instruction Manual

IMO STCW 95 Code and AMSA Marine Orders

relevant international, Australian and state/territory work health and safety/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) legislation, regulations, codes of practice, policies and procedures such as Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

relevant international and Australian Standards

search patterns and environmental factors affecting their execution

signals and communications protocols

symptoms of hypothermia, its prevention and treatment and the related use of protective covers and garments such as immersion suits and thermal protective aids

types of fast rescue craft and relevant ancillary equipment, including construction, features and starting and operating characteristics.