Description

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan the voyage of a commercial vessel of less than 500 gross tonnage and conduct navigation, including planning and navigation for all conditions by acceptable methods of plotting ocean tracks, routeing in accordance with the General Principles on Ships’ Routeing and reporting as required by the Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems. 

Unit Sector

Navigation

Pre-Requisites

The unit may be assessed in conjunction with other units that relate to the functions of he occupation(s) concerned.

Performance Criteria

1 Maintain navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation
1.1 Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation are stored and maintained in accordance with company procedures and chart/publication publisher’s instructions
1.2 Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation are filed in accordance with company procedures
1.3 An inventory of navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation is established and kept as required by company procedures
1.4 Chart correction records are kept and applied to ensure charts in use reflect up to date information
1.5 Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation are handled and used in ways that ensure continued availability, utility and length of life
1.6 Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation are appropriately ordered/updated from relevant sources to ensure that available data needed for voyage planning and identification of navigational hazards is current

2 Plan route for voyage
2.1 Navigational hazards relevant to a proposed voyage are identified using relevant navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation
2.2 The route for a voyage is determined as per operational instructions and navigational principles and taking due account of identified navigational hazards
2.3 Critical points along the proposed route of the voyage are identified and recorded
2.4 Actions to deal with the identified critical points are developed in accordance with navigational principles and practice and company procedures
2.5 Potential navigational contingencies and problems that may occur along the planned route are identified and strategies for dealing with them are developed and recorded

3 Fix vessel’s position
3.1 Primary position fixing method is selected in accordance with prevailing conditions
3.2 Position is fixed using the selected method
3.3 Appropriate allowance is made for random, instrument, system and data errors
3.4 Time interval between fixes is appropriate to the prevailing navigational conditions
3.5 Verification of primary position fixing is regularly carried out using appropriate methods
3.6 Performance checks and tests of navigation position fixing instruments and systems are carried out in accordance with company procedures and manufacturer’s instructions
3.7 Position of vessel is recorded as per procedures and regulatory requirements

4 Document and report planned route
4.1 Planned route for a vessel’s voyage is recorded and reported in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements
4.2 Plans and strategies for dealing with critical situations and contingencies along the route of a voyage are recorded

5 Maintain and adjust vessel’s course
5.1 Required alterations to the vessel’s course or speed are made taking into account prevailing weather and sea conditions, the proximity and course of other vessels, navigational hazards and overall passage plan requirements
5.2 Alterations to the vessel’s course and speed comply with Australian and international regulations for the avoidance of collision at sea
5.3 Alterations to the vessel’s course and speed are appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions
5.4 Alterations to the vessel’s course and speed are effective and do not put at risk the safety of the vessel or its passengers and crew or that of other vessels, passengers or crew
5.5 Signals relevant for navigational manoeuvres are made at the appropriate time in accordance with Australian and international regulations
5.6 Operational limits of vessel propulsion, steering, power systems and overall trim and stability are not exceeded during navigational manoeuvres

Range Statement

General Context

• Work must be carried out:
  • in compliance with relevant sections of applicable maritime regulations
• Work is performed:
  • relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes
• Work involves:
  • the application of a significant range of fundamental navigational principles and procedures across a wide variety of navigational contexts, including navigation at high latitudes. Contribution to the development of a plan for a voyage is required with appropriate allowance for possible contingencies
• Work requires:
  • significant judgement in planning, technical and leadership functions related to planning and conducting a voyage for a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more

Worksite Environment

• Vessel may include:
  • any Australian or international commercial vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more
• Voyages to be planned and conducted may include:
  • any voyage navigable by the size and type of vessel concerned
  • voyages in high latitudes
  • passages through
  • traffic separation schemes
  • tidal restricted areas
  • VTS controlled areas
  • pilotage water under conditions of restricted visibility
• Navigation may occur in conditions of:
  • clear visibility using visual navigational techniques
  • restricted visibility using parallel indexing and/or electronic chart systems
  • clear visibility using a combination of visual and electronic techniques
• Position fixing techniques may include:
  • visual
  • radar
  • continuous position monitoring
• Documentation and records may include:
  • ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
  • operational orders
  • navigational charts
  • Nautical Institute publications
  • Nautical Almanac
  • General Principles on Ships’ Routeing
  • Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems
  • publications from the Australian Hydrographer or British Admiralty, including radio signals, light lists, sailing directions, tide tables and chart catalogues
  • navigational warning records
  • IMO STCW Convention and Code
  • AMSA Marine Orders
  • annual and weekly notices to mariners
  • vessel’s log
  • company procedures
  • vessel manufacturer’s instructions and recommended procedures
  • instructions of relevant maritime authorities
  • pilot instructions where relevant
  • relevant Australian and international standards
• Applicable legislation, regulations and codes may include:
  • IMO STCW Convention and Code related to vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more
  • relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea relevant international, Commonwealth, State and Territory OH&S legislation
  • Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems

Evidence Guide

Required Knowledge

This describes the knowledge required for this unit.

• Relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Convention and Code and AMSA Marine Orders applicable for vessels of 500 gross tonnage and over
• Common methods of time measurement
• Methods used to approximate to the shape of the earth
• Procedures for fixing a celestial object’s position with reference to a horizon-based system of coordinates
• Procedures for converting on set of coordinates to another
• Common astronomical phenomena as described in the Nautical Almanac, including: the phases of the moon, twilight, solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, visible sunrise/set, tabulated times for sunrise/set, theoretical sunrise/set
• Procedures for the calculation of the height of tide for a given time at any place listed using tide tables
• Procedures for the use of Nautical Almanac data and information when planning and conducting a voyage, including calculation of errors due to common navigational approximations
• Equilibrium theory of tides for the major tide raising constituents
• Typical errors in common position fixing systems and their effect on observed positions
• Requirements for effective passage planning, including contingency planning
• Information required for a typical effective passage plan
• Ordering procedures for navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation
• Procedures for filing and maintaining navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation in serviceable condition
• Vessel reporting systems and their use in planning and conducting a voyage
• Special techniques required for navigation in high latitudes
• Maritime communication techniques, including issuing of helm and engine orders and tug communications

Required Skills

This describes the basic skills required for this unit.

• Use verbal communication skills required when planning and navigating a passage within limits of responsibility of a Master (Unlimited)
• Read and interpret charts and other published information relevant to planning and navigating a passage within limits of responsibility of a Master (Unlimited)
• Read and interpret instrument and equipment readings and indications relevant to planning and navigating a passage within limits of responsibility of a Master (Unlimited)
• Complete any required operational records
• Work safely and collaboratively with others when planning and navigating a passage
• Select and use relevant equipment required when planning and navigating a passage as per standard operating procedures
• Recognise faulty equipment and readings and take appropriate action as per standard operating procedures
• Recognise problems that may be experienced when planning and navigating a passage and take appropriate action
• Adapt to differences in vessels, equipment and related standard operating procedures
• Plan and navigate a passage for a vessel within limits of responsibility of a Master (Unlimited)

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:

• Plan a voyage for a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more taking into account all relevant navigational hazards, including voyages in high latitudes
• Fix the position of a vessel using all acceptable methods
• Identify typical navigational hazards and make due allowance for them when planning a voyage
• Access, use and maintain navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation
• Communicate effectively with others when planning a voyage and conducting navigation
• Follow reporting procedures in accordance with the Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Consistently applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
  • planning a voyage and conducting navigation
  • identifying and evaluating navigation problems and determining appropriate navigational solutions
  • identifying and implementing improvements to voyage planning and navigation procedures
  • applying required precautions relevant to voyage planning and navigation
  • fixing the position of the vessel
• Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace and regulatory procedures, including:
  • relevant sections of applicable maritime regulations
  • vessel’s safety management system and procedures
  • navigational regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
  • reporting of vessel’s position, route and navigational contingencies
  • job procedures and navigational instructions
  • use of relevant nautical publications and charts
  • procedures for the storage and care of nautical publications and charts
• Action is taken promptly to report and/or rectify navigational errors and contingencies in accordance with established procedures
• Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail
• Recognises and adapts appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions among crew and others

Context of assessment

• Assessment of competency must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations
• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
  • As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations, and
  • Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
    • at the registered training organisation; and/or
    • on an appropriate working or training vessel

Specific resources required for assessment

Access is required to opportunities to:

• plan a simulated voyage and conduct navigation using a marine simulator meeting the requirements of Section A I/12 of the IMO STCW 95 Code, over an appropriate range of latitudes and navigational hazards; and/or
• assist in the planning of an actual voyage and conducting navigation for a commercial vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more involving an appropriate range of latitudes and navigational hazards