Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan and navigate courses for small recreational craft in waterway environments. It also covers knowledge of waterway rules applicable to small craft utilised for recreational purposes.
Waterway navigation skills are required in a range of activity contexts which could include canoeing, kayaking, sea kayaking, and when riding personal watercraft. Techniques and equipment will vary according to the type of craft and waterway environment.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
It applies to leaders, guides or instructors, who use these skills when leading participants during activities where waterway navigation skills are required.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCECRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Plan the course. | 1.1. Obtain and interpret waterway charts appropriate for the area of navigation. 1.2. Determine expected wind, tidal, or current conditions for the intended course. 1.3. Identify navigational hazards, position of landmarks and any buoyage to assist in planning and navigating the course. 1.4. Utilise all information to plan an efficient course according to specific activity and waterway requirements. 1.5. Identify and plot critical points along the course, midpoint and end destinations. 1.6. Prepare a navigation data sheet, and identify emergency or contingency escape routes. |
2. Navigate waterway courses. | 2.1. Select instrumentation and equipment suitable for navigation requirements. 2.2. Follow the planned course using charts, natural and constructed features and any buoyage to assist. 2.3. Use instrumentation and equipment as navigational aids to maintain course. 2.4. Make required adjustments to course according to prevailing environmental conditions. 2.5. Comply with waterway rules throughout all activities, including use of craft within permitted areas. |
3. Fix position of craft. | 3.1. Fix position of craft at regular intervals to maintain planned course. 3.2. Use techniques to estimate distance travelled, accounting for prevailing environmental conditions. 3.3. Utilise navigation techniques to identify unfamiliar features and fix position when lost. 3.4. Adjust and resume planned course where position indicates a deviation. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | interpret detailed and potentially unfamiliar information on waterway charts. interpret potentially unfamiliar and complex information about waterway rules. |
Writing skills to: | develop detailed navigation data sheets using correct terminology and symbols. |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret and calculate detailed numerical data involving, distances, times and speeds. |
Technology skills to: | use a range of technologies to access information about courses. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Competency Field
Field Operations