MARO009 — Maintain a safe navigational watch

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What an assessment for MARO009 must cover

98 assessable components: 6 elements (32 performance criteria), 31 performance evidence and 35 knowledge evidence requirements. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.

Elements & performance criteria

1 Maintain watch on the bridge

1.1Own responsibility for the safety of navigation is clearly defined at all times, including periods when the Master is on the bridge and while under pilotage
1.2Proper lookout is maintained at all times according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
1.3Lights, shapes and sound signals are correctly recognised and acted upon
1.4Frequency and extent of monitoring traffic, vessel and environment are scheduled to conform with organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
1.5Bridge communication is maintained with other team members on matters relevant to the safety and integrity of the vessel
1.6Clear and unambiguous bridge communications are maintained, and clarification is sought from or given to other team members when watch information or instructions are not clearly understood
1.7Internal and external communications systems are used according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements.
1.8Conduct, handover and relief of the watch is completed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

2 Maintain watch when anchored

2.1Organisational procedures and regulatory requirements are complied with through frequency, timing and coverage of scheduled checks and inspections
2.2Appropriate action is taken in the event of irregularities or abnormal conditions to maximise the safety and integrity of the vessel
2.3Restrictions on access to the vessel by non-authorised persons are followed according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements
2.4Internal and external communications systems are used according to organisational procedures and regulatory requirements

3 Respond to potential collision and emergency situations

3.1Potential collision situations are analysed and appropriate actions are taken in ample time according to regulatory requirements
3.2Correct responses are made to emergencies and situations that pose a danger to the vessel and personnel onboard
3.3Distress signals are recognised and appropriate actions are taken to initiate search and rescue (SAR) operations
3.4Master is called in the event of a navigational incident which falls outside own responsibility

4 Respond to onboard emergency situations

4.1Initial actions in the event of an emergency are undertaken according to contingency plans and are appropriate to urgency of situation and nature of emergency
4.2Urgency of situation and nature of emergency is identified promptly
4.3Relevant alarms are activated
4.4Distress signals are used to indicate need for assistance, as required
4.5Crew, personnel and passengers are given information and instructions clearly and accurately
4.6Procedures are implemented to combat emergency and to protect crew, personnel and passengers
4.7Communications are established with others to facilitate emergency response process

5 Resource the bridge according to bridge resource management principles

5.1Bridge resource management principles are interpreted to establish the functions and responsibilities of the watchkeeping team onboard a vessel
5.2Resources are allocated and assigned as needed in correct priority to perform necessary tasks to obtain and maintain situational awareness
5.3Watchkeeping schedule is developed with due consideration to team experience
5.4Instructions on watchkeeping and lookout requirements are clearly and unambiguously given in relation to monitoring traffic, vessel and environment
5.5Clear and unambiguous roles and responsibilities of watchkeeping team are determined and allocated
5.6Effective communication is maintained with team on matters relevant to safety and integrity of vessel
5.7Questionable decisions and/or actions are dealt with using an appropriate challenge and response

6 Maintain navigation records

6.1Proper records of the movements and activities related to the navigation of the vessel are maintained
6.2Records are filed and stored according to organisational procedures

Performance evidence

activating relevant alarms, including: • abandon ship signals • emergency broadcasts • fire and general muster alarms
allocating and assigning resources as needed in correct priority to perform necessary tasks
applying International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)
applying principles of bridge and maritime resource management
appropriately challenging and responding to questionable decisions and/or actions
communicating an accurate understanding of current and predicted vessel state, navigation path and external environment with team members
communicating effectively with others on watchkeeping issues, arrangements and requirements
conforming to accepted principles and procedures in the conduct, handover and relief of the watch
defining responsibility for the safety of navigation at all times clearly
giving and receiving clear and unambiguous communications
identifying and implementing effective leadership behaviours
identifying and solving problems that may arise during watchkeeping duties, reporting problems and issues and taking appropriate actions based on available information
identifying type and scale of emergency promptly
implementing contingency plans and instructions in standing orders when responding to a distress signal at sea
interpreting and implementing procedures relevant to the role and responsibilities of Watchkeeper
maintaining a proper lookout at all times and in such a way as to conform to accepted principles and procedures
maintaining accurate and compliant records of the movements and activities relating to the navigation of the vessel
manoeuvring vessel, according to contingency plans
modifying activities dependent on differing vessel contingencies, risk situations and environments
monitoring and anticipating hazards and risks that may arise during watchkeeping duties and taking appropriate actions
monitoring traffic, the ship and the environment to conform to accepted principles and procedures
providing sound signals correctly
recognising a distress or emergency signal
recognising lights, shapes and sound signals correctly
reporting according to the General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) procedures
responding to vessel emergencies
selecting and using appropriate internal and external communications equipment during watchkeeping
using bridge communication equipment
using information from navigational equipment to maintain a safe navigational watch
using routeing according to the General Provisions on Ships’ Routeing
working as part of a team

Knowledge evidence

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) watchkeeping procedures contained in Marine Orders and Marine Notices
blind pilotage techniques
bridge instrumentation, controls and alarms relevant to the function of watchkeeping
bridge procedures onboard a vessel
bridge resource management principles, including allocation, assignment and prioritisation of resources; effective communication; assertiveness and leadership; obtaining and maintaining situational awareness; and consideration of team experience
causes of groundings, collisions and casualties
contingency plans with response to emergencies, including responding to distress signal at sea
distress signals as listed in Annex IV of COLREGs
fatigue management principles and techniques
functions and responsibilities of the watchkeeping team onboard a vessel
initial actions to be taken following a collision or grounding, including: • initial damage assessment and control • manoeuvring vessel • precautions when breaching a vessel
International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) buoyage system A and B
irregularities or abnormal conditions, including: • dragging anchor • fog and restricted visibility • heavy weather
lights, shapes and sound signals as listed in COLREGs parts C
manual and electronic navigational aids available to the bridge team and procedures for their operation and use during a watch
maritime communication techniques onboard a vessel in accordance with the Standard Marine Communication Phrases
nature of assistance, including: • assisting a ship in distress • rescuing persons from a vessel in distress and from a wreck • responding to emergencies occurring in port
nature of emergencies
navigational aids
navigational hazards and implications for watchkeeping
precautions for the protection and safety of crew and passengers
precautions necessary when navigating in or near traffic separation schemes or other routeing measures
principles and use of navigational recording devices for keeping records of the operation, behaviour and performance of the vessel and navigation equipment
principles for the use of vessel routing and reporting systems for safe navigation, including weather routing
principles to be observed in keeping a safe navigational watch
principles to be observed in keeping a watch in port, including when carrying hazardous cargo
procedures for rescuing a person at sea, assisting a vessel in distress and responding to emergencies that arise in port
procedures for the conduct, handover and relief of a watch
procedures for the use of internal communications and alarm systems
range of lifesaving appliances
search and rescue using International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual
signs of personnel fatigue and hours of rest requirements
typical bridge instrumentation, controls and alarms and their functions
typical watchkeeping problems and emergency situations, and appropriate actions and solutions
work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Questions about assessing MARO009

What does an assessment tool for MARO009 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for MARO009 needs to address all 98 unit components: 6 elements with 32 performance criteria, 31 performance evidence requirements, 35 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for MARO009?

Auditori pulls the current release of MARO009 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for MARO009 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing MARO009 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of MARO009, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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