This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to carry out fast rescue craft operations and includes maintaining fast rescue craft; preparing fast rescue craft and crew for operations; taking charge of a fast rescue craft during and after launch; responding to craft, equipment and crew emergencies or malfunctions; locating and retrieving casualties; and recovering and securing fast rescue craft after operations.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements and requires the ability to take charge of the rescue boat and its crew, and to take responsibility for self and others in achieving the required outcomes.

Work involves applying established maritime survival principles and practices for launching and operating fast rescue craft and using related survival equipment. Implementing established survival strategies and procedures is also involved.

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 in fast rescue craft operations 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

Maintain fast rescue craft for operations

1.1

Fast rescue craft design characteristics and fittings are identified

1.2

Fast rescue craft capabilities are outlined

1.3

Fast rescue craft and items of equipment are maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications and operational requirements

2

Prepare fast rescue craft and crew for operations

2.1

Fast rescue craft launching equipment design and operation are outlined

2.2

Motion compensation system operation and associated fail safe devices are outlined

2.3

Motion compensation system operation and associated fail safe devices are maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions

2.4

Pre-launch checks are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications and operational requirements

2.5

Appropriate specialised emergency equipment is stowed onboard fast rescue craft

2.6

Operational responsibilities and lines of communication are confirmed with relevant personnel

2.7

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and foul weather gear is worn, as required

2.8

Readiness of fast rescue craft, crew and equipment for launch is confirmed with relevant personnel

3

Take charge of fast rescue craft during and after launch

3.1

Fast rescue craft is launched in a controlled and safe manner according to craft and launch system manufacturer specifications and instructions

3.2

Hook release system is operated according to manufacturer specifications, and launch vessel and launch equipment are cleared safely

3.3

Engine power is managed within manufacturer torque range in a way that ensures smooth and efficient movement

3.4

Damage to engine and accessories is minimised

3.5

Fast rescue craft is operated within safe operational limits of craft for the prevailing conditions

3.6

Manoeuvres are performed with due regard to drive system manoeuvring characteristics

3.7

Manoeuvres are performed in a way that ensures the safety of personnel onboard and in the water

3.8

Navigational equipment is used according to manufacturer specifications

3.9

Communication and signalling equipment is used according to manufacturer specifications and operational requirements

3.10

Communications are established and maintained between craft, other vessels, rig and helicopters, as required

3.11

Emergency equipment is used according to manufacturer specifications, supervisor instructions and emergency conditions

4

Respond to emergencies or malfunctions involving craft, equipment and crew

4.1

Capsized fast rescue craft is righted using craft righting system, with due concern for crew safety and possible damage to craft and equipment

4.2

Swimming is performed as required in standard PPE, foul weather gear or other specialised protective equipment

4.3

Appropriate procedures for reboarding fast rescue craft and for wearing operational clothing and equipment are implemented

4.4

Emergency repairs and maintenance to fast rescue craft and equipment are performed according to manufacturer specifications and emergency conditions

5

Locate and retrieve casualties

5.1

Appropriate search patterns are followed according to search coordinator instructions

5.2

Search patterns and rescue procedures are coordinated with other fast rescue craft where appropriate

5.3

Casualties are approached in a way that ensures casualty and crew safety

5.4

Fast rescue craft is positioned to ensure safe and quick retrieval of casualties

5.5

Casualty condition is determined and appropriate recovery procedures are implemented

5.6

Appropriate lifting procedures are adopted to ensure safe retrieval of casualty

5.7

Emergency first aid procedures are applied as appropriate

5.8

Master or medical officer is notified of casualty condition and medical instructions are followed as appropriate

5.9

Casualty is transferred to vessel, rig, helicopter or other place of safety with concern for types of injuries sustained

6

Recover fast rescue craft

6.1

Stand-down procedures are followed

6.2

Fast rescue craft is recovered in a controlled and safe manner according to craft, hook release systems and recovery system manufacturer specifications and instructions

6.3

Fast rescue craft and equipment are secured onboard and prepared for future operations

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:

calculating equipment to conduct pre-launch checks

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

ancillary equipment required onboard

batteries

bowsing line operability

communications equipment

compass

crane operability

drive units, including oil levels, clearance from obstruction, tilt levels and 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 (PPE) availability and operability

search light

specialised emergency equipment

steering

switches

tow ropes

effectively using PPE and foul weather gear, including:

eye protection, sunscreen, protective footwear, safety helmet and gloves

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

implementing appropriate casualty recovery procedures

implementing emergency first aid procedures, including:

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

care following fuel ingestion

care of burns, breaks and fractures

control of hypothermia, control of internal or external bleeding and 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) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

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 against the craft

wind, swell and/or tide running with the craft

reading and interpreting IMO safety symbols by night and day

reading, interpreting and completing vessel logbooks

swimming in PPE, 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

fire-extinguisher

foot pump

safety boat hook

safety buoyant clasp knife

thermal protective aids.

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:

craft righting systems, including:

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

rope mounted on the outside of the craft

drive systems and manoeuvres, including:

inboard/outboard

jet

jet drives

rudder

single propeller

twin propeller

effects of sea and weather conditions on fast rescue craft operations

emergencies, including:

capsize

collision

crew or equipment overboard

electrical or mechanical failure

injury to crew

leaks or flooding

equipment maintenance and emergency repair procedures

fast rescue craft, including:

hull construction, including inflatable hulls, rigid hulls and semi-rigid hulls

hull flotation systems, including foam filled collar, inflatable collar, inflatable pontoons and sealed floor

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

launch and recovery equipment, procedures and safety precautions

launch systems and recovery systems, including:

deck crane or davit

four-point sling with fixed eye

rig crane

solid mounted frame using fixed hook assembly

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

manoeuvres, including:

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 a stationary or moving point

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

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:

IMO STCW Code and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders

International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

relevant AMSA publications, such as Survival at Sea: Training and Instruction Manual

relevant international and Australian Standards

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

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.

Assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in 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, rescue/survival equipment, fast rescue craft, 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.

F – Operational Quality and Safety