Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Plan route for inshore voyage.

1.1. Select instrumentation and equipment  for navigation and position fixing.

1.2. Handle, use and store coastal navigational equipment and documentation  according to organisational policies and procedures , to ensure continued availability, utility and length of life.

1.3. Determine the route for an inshore voyage after considering the possible navigational hazards .

1.4. Identify, record and develop actions to deal with critical points along the proposed route of the voyage.

1.5. Determine potential navigational problems that may occur along the planned inshore route and develop a contingency plan  for dealing with them.

2. Conduct an inshore passage.

2.1. Interpret sea and weather conditions and apply meteorological information  to make decisions on direction.

2.2. Identify navigational hazards and fix the position to enable decisions to be made on course direction.

2.3. Make required alterations to the course according to prevailing circumstances , organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation .

3. Fix sea kayak group's position within a limited area.

3.1. Select a primary position fixing technique  and fix sea kayak's position according to prevailing conditions.

3.2. Check for errors  and make appropriate corrections and allowances to derived courses and bearings.

3.3. Apply time interval between fixes and regular verification of primary position fixing appropriate to the prevailing navigational conditions.

3.4. Record position of group according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• literacy skills to read and interpret maps, records, navigational charts of inshore waters, and topographic and speciality maps
• planning and organising skills to:

• obtain instrumentation, documentation, records and navigation equipment
• plan and navigate a sea kayaking inshore passage

• communication skills to interact with other participants to maintain a positive and safe sea kayaking environment while navigating an inshore passage
• numeracy skills to navigate, fix and calculate grid and magnetic bearings, courses, distances and positions
• problem-solving skills to:

• determine instrumentation and equipment required for position fixing
• deal with errors that may occur

• sea kayaking skills to apply a range of stroke, paddling and rolling techniques to control, stabilise and manage risks and hazards associated with navigating inshore passages
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all sea kayaking and navigation activities
• navigation techniques, instrumentation, documentation and equipment used to determine distance, location, direction and potential hazards during navigating an inshore passage
• features of navigation equipment, their use and factors that affect accuracy
• sea kayaking techniques and common communication systems used between sea craft to reduce risk during sea kayaking
• technical sea kayaking knowledge such as paddling, capsizing and rolling techniques used to navigate and determine a route for an inshore voyage
• reading and assessment of weather and sea conditions to understand the dynamics and effect of the tide, current and wind conditions
• risks commonly associated with navigating a sea kayaking inshore passage and ways to avoid or negotiate these
• emergency response and rescue procedures appropriate for sea kayaking, to ensure the management of risk.

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:

• plans and selects navigation instrumentation and equipment suitable to the location and sea and weather conditions
• applies knowledge of weather and sea conditions to plan and navigate a sea kayaking inshore passage, and makes decisions regarding negotiation of hazards and safety of self and group
• demonstrates position fixing while undergoing a sea kayaking voyage, and makes decisions regarding contingency arrangements where required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in sea kayaking inshore voyages and activities that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

• Assessment must also ensure access to:
• resources and information such as maps and charts for local area
• suitable sea kayaking locations that allow for planning and navigating of inshore passages
• sea kayaking, rescue, first aid and navigation equipment
• a suitable and safe method of transport, if required, to transport sea kayak to and from activity location.

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:

• observation of the planning and review process with evidence of reference to navigation and instrumentation resources and equipment
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all aspects of planning and navigating a sea kayaking inshore passage
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of navigation skills, such as fixing position
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

• SISOKYS304A Demonstrate sea kayaking skills in moderate to difficult conditions
• SISOOPS303A Interpret weather for marine environments.

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.

Instrumentation and equipment  may include:

• Global Positioning System
• magnetic compass
• scale measure
• Portland square
• watch
• pencil
• parallel ruler
• dividers
• protractor.

Documentation  may include:

• Australia Pilot
• tide book
• Notices to Mariners
• maritime regulations
• navigational charts
• topographic and specialty maps
• operational orders
• coastal guides

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• chart and publication publisher's instructions
• code of ethics.

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.

Contingency plan  may include:

• alternate routes, exit points
• spare equipment in case of delay, loss, illness, injury or damage.

Meteorological information  may include:

• marine forecast
• synoptic charts
• daily and weekly forecasts including warnings, maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall predictions
• satellite images
• high and low tide predictions.

Prevailing circumstances  may include:

• weather and sea conditions
• navigational hazards
• buoyage and signage
• overall passage plan requirements.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Position fixing technique  may include:

• visual such as landmarks and range marks, cross bearings and transits
• aids to navigation such as lights and buoys
• dead reckoning
• Global Positioning System

Errors  may include:

• random
• instrument
• system
• data.