SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply weather information when navigating a small vessel 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
113983  Apply weather information when navigating a small vessel 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Transport and Logistics Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this unit standard wil be able to apply the knowledge and skills required to use weather, meterological and ocean conditions to ensure the safe navigation of a small commercial vessel. They will be able to apply these according to relevant maritime regulations.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Obtain and decipher weather and oceanographic information.
  • Apply weather and oceanographic data to safe navigation.
  • Maintain records of weather and oceanographic information and forecasts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication and mathematics literacy competence equivalent to NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:

    This unit standard involves the skills and knowledge required to predict meteorological and ocean conditions and apply them to ensure the safe navigation of a small commercial vessel, including deciphering and applying information obtained from observations, reports and instruments, reliably and accurately calculating tides in accordance with official tide charts and forecasting weather for an intended near coastal voyage using all available data.

    Work must be carried out in accordance with the relevant maritime regulations.
    Vessel may include any commercial vessel engaged on near coastal voyages.
    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.
    Instruments may include: air and sea thermometers; barometers; hydrometers; anemometers; wind strength and direction instruments; instruments for measuring sea swell height, direction and period. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Obtain and decipher weather and oceanographic information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ocean and weather conditions are observed and interpreted in accordance with established nautical and meteorological practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Measurements of meteorological parameters are recorded in terms of accepted practice, and are recorded using established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Meteorological and oceanographic parameters include but are not limited to: atmospheric pressure; pressure gradient; air temperature; relative humidity; wind strength; wind direction; swell height, direction and period; visibility; cloud cover.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Meteorological charts, publications and related documentation are obtained and are relevant to the current voyage, are up to date and available as required. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Documentation/records include but are not limited to: meteorological and oceanographic publications; coastal weather reports, charts and satellite images; annual and weekly notices to mariners.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The latest weather information is accessed using radio and/or Internet technology within the required time frame and format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation used for voyage planning are current and relevant to the particular voyage, and the identification of navigational hazards is carried out in accordance with established procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Voyages planned and conducted include but are not limited to: any near coastal voyage navigable by the size and type of vessel concerned; passages through; traffic separation schemes in near coastal areas; tidal restricted areas; VTS controlled areas; pilotage water under conditions of restricted visibility.

    Documentation/records include but are not limited to: operational orders; navigational charts of near coastal waters; publications including radio signals, light lists, sailing directions, tide tables and chart catalogues; navigational warning records; vessel`s log; company procedures; vessel manufacturer`s instructions and recommended procedures; instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply weather and oceanographic data to safe navigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Weather and ocean condition hazards to a proposed voyage are identified using forecasts based on interpretation of meteorological observations, reports and measurements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The route for a voyage is adjusted as required in response to weather and sea condition hazards, in accordance with established navigational practice and operational instructions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Maintain records of weather and oceanographic information and forecasts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Meteorological measurements, observations, reports and forecasts are recorded and filed in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Modifications to the routing of a planned coastal voyage due to forecast weather and ocean condition hazards are recorded and filed in accordance with established procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:

    The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.
  • Knowledge underpinning this unit standard includes: boat handling theory, and relevant sections of associated legislation.
  • Guidance in correct operation of equipment is provided in The Code of Safe Working Practices for Seamen.
  • Prevention of pollution of the marine environment is governed by regulation, (MARPOL) legislated by the International Maritime Organisation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to maintaining records of weather and oceanographic information and forecasts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with other team members to obtain and decipher weather oceanographic information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to weather and oceanographic data for safe navigation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when obtaining the latest weather information by radio. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology to assist in accessing the latest weather information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where using weather information correctly leads to a safe working environment for self and others. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • All candidates to be assessed for this unit standard are required to provide evidence of competence (obtained by attending an approved course) in the following:

    1. Basic First Aid.
    2. Fire Fighting
  • Evidence is required with regard to the candidate being medically fit.
  • The importance of both safety and due care and consideration for the environment is to be kept in mind when assessing a candidate for this unit standard. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    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:

    SAMSA - South African Maritime Safety Authority.
    This body is responsible for issuing certificates of competence at all levels in terms of the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, 1999.
    Issued by the Minister of Transport, under section 356 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951). GG 20772/RG 6707.

    ISM - International Safety Management
    This refers to a safety management system stipulated by regulation of the International Maritime Organisation. (IMO)

    SOPEP- Ship Oil pollution Emergency Plan
    Pollution plan in place for a particular ship, as required by the marine pollution regulations (MARPOL) legislated by IMO.

    FFA:- Fire fighting Appliances
    LSA:- Life saving Appliances
    IOPP:- International Oil Pollution Prevention
    MARPOL:- Marine Pollution 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48535   National Certificate: Maritime Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2017-10-26  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Limadi Industrial Projects 
    2. South African Fire and Medical Academy (SAFMA) 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.