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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Respond to and signal distress 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114004  Respond to and signal distress 
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  3 
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 will be able to describe the procedures that must be followed when receiving distress signals and are able to demonstrate the use of signalling equipment. They are also able to use a marine radio in an emergency situation.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe the legal obligations on receiving a maritime distress signal.
  • Select and use signalling equipment under maritime distress conditions.
  • Use a marine radio in an emergency situation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Communication and mathematics literacy at NQF LEVEL 2.
  • Basic knowledge and/or skills equivalent to qualification as Ordinary Seaman.
  • Knowledge of on board communication systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard.
  • Current Maritime Legislation and Codes of Practice
  • Standing instructions
  • The reference for the assessment of this unit standard is the Guidelines for Radio Usage issued by SAMSA.

    Competence in this unit standard will be demonstrated in simulated distress situations.
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the legal obligations on receiving a maritime distress signal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The description of the legal obligations are described in line with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) code and international regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The signal is identified and recognised as a distress signal immediately on receipt, and identification is consistent with the International Code of Signals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The response to the distress signal is appropriate in terms of degree of urgency, and complies with the requirements of the International Code of Signals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Recording of the distress signalling activity is completed within the required timeframe and in a format consistent with company standing orders and maritime rules and regulations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select and use signalling equipment under maritime distress conditions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Signalling equipment includes but is not limited to - lights, flags, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), hand signals, radio transmissions, flares (including smoke), sound signals, flames, search and rescue radar transponders (SARTS). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The signalling equipment selected is appropriate in terms of the intended purpose and specified conditions.Rationale for the choice is consistent with particular context, and consequences of inappropriate choices are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions include, but are not limited to: visibility, sea, weather, proximity to the shore or other vessels.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operation of signalling equipment complies with intended purpose, manufacturer`s directions and legislative requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures to be followed when a distress signal is accidentally activated are described, and are consistent with SAMSA codes and company operating policies. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Use a marine radio in an emergency situation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    VHF 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The frequency selected is appropriate for a distress call. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    VHF channel 16.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The distress call and message is handled in a manner consistent with the degree of urgency required, and is appropriate to the given situation and in accordance with the radio handbook. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    "Mayday received" and "mayday relay" are handled in a manner consistent with the particular context, in accordance with guidelines and regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An urgency call is handled in a manner consistent with the particular context and in accordance with guidelines and regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A security call is handled in a manner consistent with the particular context and in accordance with guidelines and regulations. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the Maritime ETQA and SAMSA.
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA (and SAMSA) by SAQA.
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA and SAMSA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    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. 

    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 the description of the distress call. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others when responding to a distress signal. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities when preparing to respond to a distress signal. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information received on a distress call. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, when handling a distress call. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology when receiving, interpretting and making a distress call. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following 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 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 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology

    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.