This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to survive at sea using survival craft. This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in a deck and or engine room capacity on vessels up to 80 m and with propulsion power <3000 kW within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). They could be working independently or as part of a vessel crew.

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 General Purpose Hand NC, Coxswain Grade 1 NC, Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC, Master <24 m NC, Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC, Mate <80 m NC, Master < 35 m NC and Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D. The AMSA mandated practical assessment (AMPA) is a requirement for AMSA certification. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) mandated practical assessment (AMPA) will cover a range, but not all, of the requirements identified in the Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence. The AMPA shall be undertaken in accordance with its instructions.

Assessors of AMPA must hold as a minimum:

a current certificate of competency issued under Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 at the same level as the qualification being assessed with at least 12 months relevant sea service, or

a relevant seafarer certificate, as master, engineer or deck officer, issued under the Navigation Act 2012 or relevant skills and experience.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare to abandon vessel

1.1

Nature of emergency is determined to minimise potential dangers and threats

1.2

Muster and abandon vessel signals are responded to according to vessel safety procedures

1.3

Survival equipment is organised to maximise chances of survival

1.4

Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is operated to transmit distress signal

1.5

Distress calls are made using radio equipment

1.6

Others are assisted to maximise their chances of survival

1.7

Prevailing circumstances and emergency conditions are used as the basis for timing and sequencing individual survival actions, and potential dangers and threats to other survivors are minimised

2

Operate lifesaving and survival equipment

2.1

Location and accessibility of lifesaving and survival equipment is established

2.2

Survival craft is launched in a timely and effective manner

2.3

Survival equipment is operated according to instructions and accepted survival practice

2.4

Survival radio equipment is operated according to manufacturer instructions and regulatory protocols

2.5

Lifejacket and other lifesaving equipment are correctly used according to instructions

3

Abandon vessel safely

3.1

Need to abandon vessel is established according to safety management system (SMS) or plan

3.2

Survival craft is launched according to instructions

3.3

Survival craft is checked to ensure it is safe to board

3.4

Survival craft is boarded observing safety of other survivors

3.5

Survival craft is released from abandoned vessel

3.6

Exposure cover is deployed on survival craft according to accepted survival practice and manufacturer instructions

4

Apply survival techniques

4.1

Survival craft is checked for seaworthiness

4.2

Sea anchors and drogues are deployed according to accepted nautical practice

4.3

Occupants are checked for signs of hypothermia or other injuries and first aid is applied as required

4.4

Water and food is rationed

4.5

Lookout for vessels and aircraft in vicinity is maintained and distress signals are released on sighting

4.6

Instructions given by rescue personnel are followed to safely access rescue craft

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.

F – Operational Quality and Safety