Notes to Assessors:
Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.
The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
Every candidate for certification shall:
Be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in the STCW Code (Table A-II/1).
At least hold an appropriate certificate for performing VHF radio-communications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.
If designated to have primary responsibility for radio-communications during distress incidents, hold an appropriate certificate issued or recognised under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.
In addition, every candidate for certification shall:
Be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in STCW Code (Table A-II/1).
Definition of Terms:
Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:
Officer means a member of the crew, other than the Captain (or Master), designated as such by international law or regulations or, in the absence of such designation, by collective agreement or custom.
Deck officer means an officer qualified in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of the STCW Convention.
Rating means a member of the ship's crew other than the Captain (or Master) or an officer.
STCW Code means the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference resolution 2, as it may be amended.
Seagoing service means service on board a ship relevant to the issue of a certificate or other qualification.
Standard of competence means the level of proficiency to be achieved for the proper performance of functions on board ship in accordance with the internationally agreed criteria.
Management level means the level of responsibility associated with:
> Serving as captain (or master) or first officer on board a seagoing ship.
> Ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.
Operational level means:
> Serving as officer in charge of a navigational watch on board a seagoing ship.
> Maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of an individual serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.
Naval architecture means engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction and repair of marine vehicles.
Stability is normally broken into two classes: Intact and Damage.
> Intact: The vessel is in normal operational configuration. The hull is not breached in any compartment. The vessel will be expected to meet various stability criteria such as GMt, area under the Gz curve, range of stability, trim, etc. while subjected to sustained winds, passenger heeling, manouvering, lifting, etc.
> Damage: Based on the Worst Operating Condition the vessel is analytically damaged by opening various combinations of watertight compartments to the sea. The vessel will be expected to meet various stability criteria such as freeboard, trim, list, GMt, etc. |
