Operate port vessels

This standard covers the competence required to operate port vessels.  It is about handling and navigating port craft, under the supervision of a foreman or skipper within a port area.  This includes the craft such as launches, survey boats and work boats and also unpowered craft such as dumb barges.

This standard applies to port workers who are required to operate port vessels

There are 3 elements in this standard:

• Handle port craft (Performance Criteria 1-9)

• Navigate port craft (Performance Criteria 10-15)

• Handle unpowered craft (Performance Criteria 16-28)

1. carry out all pre-sailing checks and record the outcomes required by operational procedure 2. inform the relevant person of any difficulties or faults encountered during the pre-sailing checks, recording these as required by operational procedure 3. manoeuvre the craft according to navigational safety principles, taking into account water depth, the prevailing environmental conditions, other port traffic and port installations 4. make appropriate engine and helm movements, which are within the design specification 5. stay alert for hazards and risks of collision at all times, and take the proper corrective action to avoid them 6. monitor navigational broadcasts and warnings  7. use anchoring and mooring equipment in accordance with organisational procedures 8. report any damage to the craft, any defective equipment, and any difficulties in using the equipment 9. ensure that entries in the craft’s log are up to date, complete and legible 10. determine the craft’s position, course and speed using the available navigation equipment 11. set the craft’s course and speed using the available equipment and taking into account the current and required position, weather conditions, water depth and currents, tides and the craft’s construction 12. set up and use the available navigation equipment, in line with recommended practice and the manufacturers’ instructions, and interpret the resultant information  13. communicate the craft’s position, course, speed and destination as required 14. report any defective navigational equipment 15. monitor and respond to navigational broadcasts and warnings, in line with organisation procedure  16. identify and obtain the appropriate craft, gear and equipment required to carry out the proposed operations, and confirm that it is in good working order before commencing the work 17. check that the craft is seaworthy before commencing operations 18. address, report and record any difficulties and faults encountered with unpowered craft  19. access and egress craft by the designated route  20. don and wear personal protective and safety clothing at all times and check that other persons within own responsibility are wearing the designated personal protective and safety clothing 21. manoeuvre the craft using the recommended manual techniques and avoiding unplanned contact with other vessels, persons or marine structures 22. confirm that the craft is moored, according to seafaring principles and in the right location for loading and discharge operations 23. check the quality of goods being loaded or discharged, reporting any defects 24. monitor the trim of the craft during loading/discharging operations, and make allowance for whether the craft is aground or afloat 25. ensure cargo is secured and covered  26. ensure that all persons on board craft being towed are standing in a safe position, and one which allows for any risks associated with ropes under tension 27. stay alert for hazards and the risks of collision at all times,  28. ensure that craft are kept clean, tidy and free of obstructions and that craft is moored   according to organisation procedure upon completion of work

1. the legal responsibilities for maintaining own and others’ health and safety in the workplace 2. the requirements placed upon the individual and the organisation by current international and national legislation, port regulations and bye-laws, as they affect operations within ports, including the importance of the ‘International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea’ 3. current industry guidance relevant to port vessel operations 4. own organisation’s policies, procedures and working practices relevant to port vessel operations 5. the operating, capabilities (including manoeuvring characteristics) and limitations of the types of vessel(s) within own area of operations 6. the effects of differing engine control positions on twin and single propeller craft 7. the effects of different rudder positions on the craft 8. the effects of using bow and stern thrusters, where these are fitted 9. how to use anchoring and mooring equipment  10. the importance of keeping a safe lookout 11. the importance of maintaining a safe speed, and the impact of restricted visibility when identifying a safe speed 12. the meaning of alarms on board vessels 13. how to interpret tidal and weather information and how different types of adverse weather can impact upon vessel movements within port areas 14. the importance of applying speed limits and the effect of the craft’s speed upon other vessels, property and persons 15. the impact of the motion of craft and tidal range upon berthing operations, and the effects of their interaction for other vessels 16. the role and responsibilities of those on board the vessels 17. organisational procedures for carrying out and recording pre-sailing checks, including those for recording difficulties and faults found  18. organisational manoeuvring procedures for craft within the port environment 19. the design specifications relating to the use of engines and helm within the craft operated 20. workplace procedures for dealing with emergency situations on board craft, including person overboard 21. local geography and water conditions, including navigable channels 22. tides, and their impact upon manoeuvring craft within own port 23. the use and location of safety equipment on board the vessel, including the operation of emergency/bilge pumps and fire safety/fighting equipment 24. the importance of set and leeway, in setting course and the different types of courses, including true, magnetic, compass and gyro and the impact of deviation and variation 25. how to select and interpret information within charts and navigation techniques 26. how to use electronic navigation aids, such as GPS, chart plotter and radar, and the limitations of navigation equipment 27. the use of buoyage systems and navigation lights 28. how to use tidal stream atlases, tide tables, Nautical Almanacs and pilot/sailing directions 29. the organisations requirements relating to recording the movements of craft within own port 30. the corrective actions that can be employed to avoid the risk of collision 31. the actions to take in response to navigational broadcasts and warnings 32. techniques for surviving in the water, techniques for rescuing a person from water and basic first-aid, including resuscitation and the basic recognition and treatment for the onset of hypothermia 33. procedures for raising fire alarms, and for isolating areas on board vessels 34. firefighting techniques to be used on different types of fire 35. the functions of the various parts of unpowered craft, and methods of manoeuvring 36. the functions of equipment and structures external to unpowered craft 37. the use of fair leads and ropes used on unpowered craft 38. the procedures for making up a tow alongside, astern and pushing, both for single and multiple craft 39. how to use towing equipment, and the importance of the equipment’s breaking strains 40. how to quickly release towing ropes in an emergency  41. the principal dangers associated with towing operations and the actions appropriate to minimising these organisational requirements for addressing and reporting difficulties and faults in craft, gear and equipment 42. organisational procedures for gaining access to craft as they apply to self and any passengers 43. the location of, and how to use, the first-aid, safety and emergency equipment within the port