This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake a range of offshore anchor handling and towing activities on board an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel within the limits of responsibility of an Integrated Rating and under the direction of the officer in charge or Master.

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

Integrated Rating working offshore, assigned to specific anchor handling and towing duties and responsibilities.

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 an Integrated Ratings working offshore 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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Recognise types of anchor handling and towing equipment, vessels and towed objects

1.1

Required safety precautions, including fatigue management, are identified

1.2

Features of various AHTS are outlined

1.3

Types of anchor handling and towing operations are identified

1.4

Properties of towed objects are identified and their impact on safety, the environment and vessel operations is recognised

1.5

Properties of anchor handling and towing equipment and tools are identified and their impact on safety and vessel operations is recognised

1.6

Hazards associated with anchor handling and towing are identified

1.7

Hazard controls associated with anchor handling and towing are employed according to organisational procedures

2

Prepare anchor handling and towing deck equipment, tools and machinery for use

2.1

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and machinery are selected, used and stored according to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

2.2

Routine pre-operational checks are carried out on anchor handling and towing deck equipment, tools and machinery according to manufacturer specifications, regulatory and organisational requirements

2.3

Deviations from normal operations are promptly identified and rectified

2.4

Adjustments are made to achieve a safe and efficient operation

2.5

Inability to start machinery is reported promptly and accurately to appropriate personnel

3

Operate anchor handling and towing deck tools and equipment

3.1

Deck equipment, tools and machinery are operated in a safe and controlled manner within defined operating limits when running to achieve optimum safety and efficiency

3.2

Deviations from normal operations are promptly identified

3.3

Action is taken to rectify basic operational faults to maintain optimum safety and efficiency

3.4

Appropriate action is taken in a malfunction or emergency

4

Check and complete anchor handling and towing deck equipment, tools and machinery operations

4.1

Equipment and machinery shutdown procedures are carried out according to manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

4.2

Equipment and machinery damage, malfunctions or irregular performance are recorded and reported according to organisational procedures

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:

following manufacturer recommendations, regulations and vessel operating procedures

identifying and taking appropriate action to rectify an operational fault

implementing and working in a safe and controlled manner

maintaining safe workloads within ships specifications

selecting and using appropriate machinery and equipment

undertaking pre-operational checks

using anchor handling, towing and deck equipment

using deck machinery

using deck tools

using operational techniques for specific location, operation and weather conditions

using verbal and non-verbal means of communication in a clear and appropriate manner to effectively communicate with other crew members.

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:

anchor handling and towing equipment, including:

capstan winches

towing pins

towing winches

tugger winches

wire stoppers/shark jaws

working winches

anchor handling and towing tools, including:

anchors

buoys (surface and subsea)

capstan winches and wires

capstans

chains

connecting links (kenter, baldt, hinge and pear)

fibre rope

gob arrangements

grapnels

J hooks

oil rig cranes

shackles

swivels

towed barges

towed rigs

towing pins

tugger winches and wires

wire stoppers/shark jaws

wires (towing and work)

legislation and guidance affecting anchor handling and towing operations

operational faults, including:

breakage of wire

failure of deck tools and equipment

machinery breakdowns

pre-operational checks, including:

deck equipment

equipment operational readiness

inspecting safety guards

pre-start and safety checks, including:

emergency stops

oils, greases and lubricants

safe and controlled manner, including:

maintaining safe workloads within ships specifications, including:

safe working load (SWL)

working load limit (WLL)

selecting and using appropriate machinery and equipment

using operational techniques for specific location, operation and weather conditions

safe working procedures

terminology and abbreviations used in the maritime industry specific to anchor handling and towing operations

work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (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.

Practical assessment must occur onboard an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel using workplace operational situations, 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.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Not applicable.

C - Equipment Operations