This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment on a vessel.

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

Able Seafarer - Deck

Integrated Rating

on a range of vessels.

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 Able Seafarer - Deck or Integrated Rating 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

Prepare for operations

1.1

Routine pre-operational checks of deck machinery or cargo handling gear and equipment are completed prior to use according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

1.2

Properties of cargo being transported are identified and their impact on safety, the environment and vessel operations is established

1.3

Preparations for operations are made and lifting equipment is set up according to workplace procedures

1.4

Tools and equipment appropriate to work requirements are selected, checked for safety and set up for operation

1.5

Safety equipment appropriate to work requirements are made ready and confirmed to be in good condition

1.6

Methods of communication are established and agreed to

1.7

Equipment faults or malfunctions are identified and reported according to workplace procedures

1.8

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in work area are identified, and risks are assessed and reported according to workplace procedures

2

Undertake deck machinery, cargo handling gear and equipment operations

2.1

Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to workplace procedures

2.2

Hazard control procedures are identified and applied to ensure safe operation of deck machinery and cargo handling equipment

2.3

Deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment are operated in a safe and controlled manner

2.4

Performance and efficiency of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment operations is monitored

2.5

Safe operational practices are used to anticipate and control hazards

2.6

Adverse sea and weather conditions that impact on operation of deck machinery, cargo handling gear and equipment are identified, and operational practices are adjusted to maintain safety of vessel and personnel

2.7

Measures to prevent pollution during normal and emergency situations are applied according to regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

2.8

Spill containment procedures are correctly implemented according to regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

3

Complete operations

3.1

Shutdown procedures are conducted according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

3.2

Malfunctions, faults, irregular performance or damage to deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment are reported according to workplace procedures

3.3

Deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment are maintained and secured according to workplace procedures

3.4

Operational records are completed according to workplace 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:

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

applying risk assessment and hazard control strategies

communicating with other workplace personnel using effective:

handheld radios

hand signals

listening techniques

questioning to confirm understanding and appropriate worksite protocol

signage

written instructions

completing required records related to the operation of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

exercising safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures during the operation of deck machinery, cargo handling gear and equipment on a vessel

following work schedules in accordance with workplace instructions and safety management system (SMS)

operating anchoring equipment under various conditions, such as anchoring, weighing anchor, securing for sea and in emergencies

reading, interpreting and applying instructions on the operation of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

recognising cargo handling gear hazards and problems while operating deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

recognising faulty equipment and taking appropriate actions

recognising routine hazards that can arise on a chemical and oil and liquefied gas tanker

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

setting up, shutting down and storing welding, brazing and cutting equipment

using and handling deck and cargo handling gear and equipment

using signals to direct the operation of equipment, including winches, cranes, windlasses and hoists

working safely and collaboratively with others

working safely at heights, and correctly applying and using safety equipment.

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:

access arrangements, including:

freight elevators

hatch covers

hatches

ramps

side, bow and stern doors

appropriate selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

boom/jib movements and the safe positioning of the operator for any lift

cargo, including:

chemicals and oils

explosives

general cargo, break bulk, unitised or in containerised

hazardous or dangerous goods, both break bulk and containerised

heavy lifts

liquefied gas

liquids in portable containers

livestock

mineral concentrates

refrigerated cargo

scrap, pig iron ingots, steel coils and sheets

solid bulk materials

timber

cargo handling gear and equipment

characteristics and features of bulk carriers, chemical and oil tankers and liquefied gas tanker layouts and cargo

function and uses of:

cranes, pumps, hoists, booms, derricks and related equipment

hatches, watertight doors, port hole, port cover and related equipment

winches, windlasses, capstans and related equipment

fundamental properties of liquid and liquefied cargo and their impact on safety, the environment and vessel operations

hazards and control measures associated with bulk carriers, chemical and oil tankers, and liquefied gas tanker cargo operations, including:

electrostatic hazards

environmental hazards

explosion and flammability

extremely low temperatures

insufficient lighting

low temperatures

other personnel in area of operation

overhead obstructions

pressure hazards

reactivity and corrosion

source of ignition

toxicity

vapour leaks and clouds

weather conditions

hazard and risk control procedures, including:

anti-static measures

atmospheric control

cargo inhibition

checking compatibility

confined space entry precautions

correct use of safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) information

ensuring operation is visible to operator at all times or a watchperson is utilised to ensure a lift is monitored at all times

gas testing

identifying hazards and assessing risks of the operation

inerting, drying and monitoring techniques

inspecting equipment and record books before commencing operations

providing adequate lighting

segregation of cargo

ship/shore checklist

ventilation

wearing appropriate PPE

hazards and related safety precautions relevant to basic welding, brazing and cutting

hoisting and dipping of flags and main single-flag signals

hydraulic and pneumatically operated mechanical tools and equipment

identifying faulty and damaged wire and/or rope

identifying fibre and wire ropes, cables and chains, including their construction, use, markings, maintenance and proper stowage

pipeline systems – bilge and ballast suctions and wells

piping systems, valves, loading and unloading, care in transit and emergency shutdown (ESD) procedures

principal features and operating characteristics of steering gear and deck machinery used on a range of vessel types

problems related to operating deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment, and appropriate actions and solutions

procedures for:

checking and inspecting deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment used on vessels

marlin spike seamanship, including proper use of knots, splices and stoppers

rigging and unrigging pilot ladders, hoists, rat-guards and gangways

safe operation of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

records that must be maintained on a vessel relevant to cargo handling and stowage

relevant sections of maritime regulations, codes and conventions related to tankers and gas carriers

relevant WHS/OHS requirements, work practices and pollution control regulations and policies

safe working loads of ropes, wires, blocks, chains and lifting gear

safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures relevant to the operation of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

signals for the operation of equipment, including winches, cranes, windlasses and hoists

standard communication techniques and signals used during the operation of deck machinery and cargo handling gear and equipment

terminology relating to the structure, capacities and operations of various types of tankers and gas carriers

the correct method of replacing winch wire and/or rope and attaching new wire and/or rope to winch drum

use and general maintenance of lifting equipment and basic slinging techniques.

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

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