This unit applies to those working as small boat sailing guides in a range of light to moderate conditions.

This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for the sailing activity.

1.1. Select an activity site or location with light to moderate conditions according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.2. Access relevant sources to interpret weatherand environmentalinformation, and determine potential sailing conditions.

1.3. Identify and minimise potential hazards and risks within the small boat sailing environment.

1.4. Identify food and water requirements to maintain physiological well being during activity.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Select small boat and equipment according to design and construction features and check working condition.

2.2. Identify and select suitable sails for boat.

2.3. Select clothing suitable for the prevailing and expected conditions.

2.4. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure comfort, safety and suitability.

3. Rig and de-rig small boat

3.1. Identify appropriate running and standing rigging.

3.2. Determine the appropriate type of cleat.

3.3. Determine Cunningham eye system and outhaul.

3.4. Identify features of sails and mast and boom fittings.

3.5. Rig sails using appropriate knots.

4. Sail a marked course.

4.1. Identify the points of sailing given the direction of the wind relative to the small boat.

4.2. Use primary boat controls to sail the boat through tacks and gybes and demonstrate the techniques of roll tacking and roll gybing.

4.3. Determine wind direction and use wind, wind indicators and directional change to follow the marked course.

4.4. Use the tiller extension where necessary to sail a course which includes windward and downwind legs.

4.5. Manoeuvre small boat alongside a wharf or anchored vessel or object without damage or injury to boat or persons.

4.6. Maintain communication with other craft and crew members, where required.

5. Handle a spinnaker.

5.1. Identify component parts of a spinnaker and situations in which a spinnaker could be used.

5.2. Rig a spinnaker, set, gybe and drop in light to moderate conditions.

5.3. Steer a small boat under spinnaker in light to moderate conditions.

6. Use a trapeze.

6.1. Identify situations in which trapezesystems are used.

6.2. Identify component parts of a trapeze system and adjust and fit the trapeze harness according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures.

6.3. Sail on trapeze in favourable conditions according to organisational policies and procedures.

6.4. Steer boat with a crew on trapeze, demonstrating the ability to get in, get out, tack and gybe.

7. Perform crew recovery and towing drills.

7.1. Recover a crew member lost overboard according to organisational policies and procedures.

7.2. Apply appropriate recovery side, approach speed and stopping technique to minimise risk of injury to crew in water and ensure efficient recovery.

7.3. Prepare small boat for towing according to organisational policies and procedures.

7.4. Tow boat in single and or multiple tow situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

7.5. Release boat from multiple tow situations safely according to organisational policies and procedures.

8. Complete post activity responsibilities.

8.1. Maintain and stow sail and rig according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures.

8.2. Maintain trailers and trolleys to minimise rust on frames and bearings.

8.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

8.4. Identify improvements for future small boat sailing experiences in light to moderate conditions.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

identify and assess features, fittings and purposes of small boat equipment

differentiate between knots used for rigging

determine wind direction to maintain direction, speed and balance

planning and organising skills to:

select appropriate location with light to moderate conditions

source small boat, equipment, and food and water

prepare for trapeze, spinnaker, recovery and towing drills

numeracy skills to:

select correct sized sail and spinnaker for boat

determine points of sail in relation to course, wind direction and angles

identify when to use the spinnaker according to specific points of sail

literacy skills to interpret and apply weather and environmental information and manufacturer's recommendations for equipment use

communication skills to implement towing and recovery procedures as part of a team

emergency response and crew recovery skills to enable initial response to emergencies.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities including rules of the road to safely sail alongside other water craft

types of small boats and equipment, characteristics and technology used for sailing

maintenance and care of boat and equipment to ensure optimal condition is maintained

knots and their application to a sailing setting, such as types used to rig sails

sailing manoeuvres and techniques including use of a spinnaker and trapeze

sailing terminology, such as port or starboard, windward, leeward, to enable a common understanding between crew members

the main points of sailing and sail positions to manoeuvre small boat efficiently

information on tide and wind to enable safe launching, landing and manoeuvring

towing and recovery procedures to enable safe and effective operations

hazards and risks associated with small boat sailing and the effects of wind direction and speed

food and water requirements to maintain health and energy during activities

emergency, towing and recovery procedures to ensure risk minimisation.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

selects small boat and equipment suitable for light to moderate conditions and identifies features and fittings to rig and de rig small boat

performs manoeuvres around a marked course, including all major points of sailing, in light to moderate conditions

uses primary boat controls, a spinnaker and a trapeze to enhance sailing performance and undertakes single and multiple tows and crew recoveries while maintaining adequate communication with crew

maintains and stows equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations

evaluates and reflects on own small boat sailing performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple small boat sailing activities in light to moderate conditions that are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information to plan and select equipment for the sailing activity

a suitable location with light to moderate conditions, winds of 8 - 18 knots and wave heights up to 0.5m

a small sailing boat, suitable sails, spinnaker, and safety equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of small boat sailing environments, including wind direction and speed, and possible hazards

observation of safe participation and demonstration of enhanced small boat sailing techniques and manoeuvres

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Guidance information for assessment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Light to moderate conditions may include:

winds of 8 - 18 knots

wave height to 0.5m.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

crew recovery

towing procedures

minimal impact environmental codes

code of ethics.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards

slippery or unstable shore

poor posture, poor technique

poor carrying techniques

loose or insecure craft when being transported.

other craft.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure

Small boat may include:

18ft and under

single masted unballasted mono or multi hulled vessel

stayed or unstayed mast

one, two or three sails.

Food and water requirements may include:

range of foods

energy content

hydration.

Equipment may include:

personal protective equipment

safety and rescue equipment

small boat

trapeze harness.

Sails may include:

mainsail

jib

spinnaker.

Cleat may include:

cam

clam

horn

V cleats.

Knots may include:

figure of eight

bowline

half hitch

reef knot

rolling hitch.

Primary boat controls may include:

mainsail

jib

balance

trim

centreboard.

Trapezesystem may include:

full harness

half harness.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.