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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Communication is conducted with terminal personnel to establish loading and unloading arrangements
  2. Information and equipment are used in planning to ensure hull stress is kept within acceptable limits
  3. Cargo plan is prepared according to legislative and organisational requirements
  4. Oversee cargo operations
  5. Regulations, procedures and instructions are interpreted to ensure that cargo is correctly identified, inspected and confirmed against documentation
  6. Communication is maintained with crew and terminal personnel involved in cargo loading/unloading to facilitate loading/unloading
  7. Cargo operations are managed to ensure they comply with regulations, procedures and instructions
  8. Vessel stability is monitored during loading/unloading operations
  9. Ballast management procedures are carried out according to organisational procedures and port authority requirements
  10. Action is taken in a cargo handling incident or emergency to secure the cargo and the vessel and to maintain the safety of persons involved
  11. All cargo handling documentation is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
  12. Comply with legislation for dangerous cargo
  13. Information regarding dangerous cargo is made readily available in an incident
  14. Cargo operations are managed to ensure they comply with regulations, operational and security procedures, and cargo plan
  15. Safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) are accessed and interpreted to identify relevant cargo-related hazards to vessel and to personnel
  16. Procedures for safety and safety management are identified and documented
  17. Hazards associated with dangerous cargo are identified and action is taken to minimise risk to personnel, cargo, vessel and the environment
  18. Action is taken in a dangerous cargo handling incident or emergency to secure cargo and vessel, and to maintain the safety of persons involved
  19. All documentation is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
  20. Manage the care of cargo during the voyage
  21. Cargo care operations are managed to ensure they comply with regulations, procedures and instructions
  22. Cargo stowage and security is managed to ensure stability and stress conditions remain within safe limits at all times during the voyage
  23. Extent and frequency of cargo condition monitoring is determined appropriate to its nature and prevailing conditions
  24. Hazards associated with cargo stowage are identified and action is taken to minimise risk to personnel, cargo, vessel and the environment
  25. Unacceptable or unforeseen variations in the condition or specification of the cargo is promptly recognised and remedial action is taken immediately to safeguard the safety of the vessel and those onboard
  26. Documentation is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
  27. Manage emergencies related to cargo
  28. Onboard personnel are given information and instructions clearly and accurately
  29. Procedures are implemented to combat emergency and protect persons onboard
  30. Communications are established with others to facilitate the emergency response process
  31. Injured persons are provided with assistance
  32. Contact is maintained with others at all times to keep them briefed on the emergency response process
  33. Preparation for abandoning vessel is undertaken, as required
  34. Cessation of emergency is communicated to appropriate personnel
  35. Prevent pollution of the environment
  36. Measures to prevent pollution during normal and emergency situations are applied according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures
  37. All relevant information is immediately reported to appropriate persons when a vapour leak or cloud is detected or a malfunction has occurred that poses a risk of a vapour leak or cloud
  38. Shore-based response personnel are promptly notified when a vapour leak or cloud occurs
  39. Complete documentation related to cargo
  40. Letter of protest is completed in an incident relating to cargo operations and care
  41. Cargo reports and documentation are completed and maintained according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures
  42. Independent cargo surveyor reports are received and acknowledged as required
  43. Cargo samples are correctly documented and secured as required

Performance Evidence

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 international regulations, codes and standards concerning the safe handling, stowage, securing and transport of cargo

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

communicating clearly and effectively, establishing effective communications and improving working relationships

conducting and recording tests and inspections of cargo handling equipment according to regulations and organisational procedures

conducting loading and unloading operations of cargo and heavy cargo to ensure safe stowage of cargo, vessel stability, trim and stress limitations are not exceeded at any time

correctly identifying safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS), relevant cargo-related hazards to vessel and personnel, and taking appropriate action according to organisational procedures

developing effective planning documents and providing high-quality reportsthat conform international regulations

ensuring currency of relevant regulatory and legislative knowledge

establishing procedures for safe cargo handling according to provisions of the relevant instruments, such as:

International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code,

International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 73/78 Annexes III and V

International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)

other relevant information

interpreting and applying knowledge of bulk carriers, containers and container ships, chemical and oil tanker, and liquefied gas tanker layouts, platform supply vessels, roll-on and roll-off (ro-ro) carriers, cargo features, and characteristics applying available shipboard data related to loading, care and unloading of cargo

reading and interpreting cargo handling documentation

recognising problems and hazards that can arise when managing safety on chemical and oil tankers, and liquefied gas tankers, taking appropriate remedial action and initiating appropriate solutions

using draft survey methods to determine cargo quantities and vessel displacement

using stability and trim diagrams, and stress-calculating equipment to keep hull stress and stability within acceptable limits at all times.


Knowledge Evidence

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:

application of ventilation requirements for various cargo

bulk carrier, chemical and oil tanker layouts, and liquefied gas tanker layouts, cargo features and characteristics, common structural rules and design limitations

cargo care operations, including:

checking cargo lashings

maintaining ventilation requirements

monitoring cargo temperatures liable to spontaneous combustion

monitoring refrigerated cargo temperatures

cargo handling documentation, including:

bills of lading

cargo gear register

cargo plan

letter of protest

logbook

ship/shore safety and security checklists

cargo handling incidents or emergencies, including:

cargo shift

damaged cargo

damaged dangerous goods and escaping cargo or fumes

failure of cargo handling equipment, including lashings

failure of refrigeration machinery

fire in cargo spaces

incorrect ventilation

incorrectly stowed cargo

spontaneous combustion

cargo plan, including:

allocating cargo containers requiring refrigeration appropriate spaces

avoiding incompatible cargo stowage

calculations relating to stability and stress

ensuring cargo is evenly distributed to maintain acceptable trim at all phases of the voyage

ensuring the loading/unloading sequence is in accordance with agreed cargo plan

loading cargo manifest

observing regulations relating to hazardous material/dangerous goods handling and stowage

cargo stowage plan

chemical tankers, including tank cleaning and control of pollution in chemical tankers

compliance with the minimum freeboard requirements of the load line regulations

confined space entry procedures

dangerous goods classification, signage, stowage and segregation requirements under the IMDG Code and relevant Marine Orders

effect on trim and stability of cargo and cargo operations

gas tankers, including cargo operations in gas tankers

hazards and control measures and additional safety measures associated with:

bulk carriers

chemical and oil tanker

liquefied gas tanker cargo operations

information and equipment, including:

automatic databased (ADB) equipment

ballasting and deballasting procedures, including ballast water management convention

bulk cargo codes

calculations relating to drafts, deadweight, stability, trim and stress

cargo and lashing codes

IMSBC Code, MARPOL 73/78 Annexes III and V and other relevant information, including Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Notices relating to cargo carriage, loading and unloading

IMDG Code

international regulations, codes and standards concerning the safe handling, stowage, securing and transport of cargo

relevant sections of maritime regulations, codes and conventions related to chemical and oil tankers, and liquefied gas tankers

requirements for loading and care of various cargo types

requirements for the carriage of grain, grain stability and timber cargo

shipboard data, including drawings, load limitations and safe working loads

stability and trim diagrams

stress-calculating equipment

loading and unloading operations with special regard to the transport of cargo identified in the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing

loading cargo and ballasting to keep hull stress within acceptable limits

maintenance required for cargo handling equipment and hatch covers

methods and safeguards when fumigating hold

oil tanker operations and related pollution prevention regulations

preparation requirements for loading, including:

checking hatch covers for damage and ensuring watertight integrity of hatches

checking holds to ensure they are clean, dry and free of odour

checking bilges and bilge systems are operational before sealing cargo stowages

covering bilges with tarpaulins/wrappers before loading, as required

ensuring survey certification for all cargo handling equipment is valid and cargo record book is available for inspection

following confined space entry procedures, as required

inspecting access arrangements in holds to ensure they are in a safe condition

reviewing supplies of dunnage, mats and cargo-securing equipment to ensure sufficient are available

procedures for receiving and delivering cargo

relevant firefighting operations and the use of firefighting equipment

shear forces, bending moments and torsional moments

stability, trim and stress records

stowage and securing of cargo onboard vessels, cargo-handling gear, and securing and lashing equipment, including timber deck cargo

WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.