SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Identify and signal emergencies and distress on a submarine

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244623	Identify and signal emergencies and distress on a submarine
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime Defence
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security			Safety in Society
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 4	NQF Level 04	8
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

This unit standard will be useful for people who have completed the introductory courses to warship safety management and bridge watch-keeping within a naval context, and wish to progress as officers within a sub-surface environment. This unit standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical skills with the essential knowledge needed to earn a formal qualification in Submarine Operations Management. More specifically the standard provides for the recognition of the skills and knowledge required to identify emergencies and respond appropriately.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Identify emergency and distress system components.

Demonstrate knowledge of international and SAN codes and signals.

Compose and send distress messages.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners are competent in:

Communications at NQF Level 4.

Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

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

Identify emergency and distress system components.

OUTCOME RANGE

Emergency equipment and systems include Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems (GMDSS); Navigation Data Management System (NDMS); Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB's).

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Equipment for signalling emergency and distress is located, identified and explained in terms of their purpose.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Components of emergency and distress equipment are located, identified and their functioning explained for each system component.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

All equipment and systems are checked and ensured to be operational and fit for their purpose.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Safety markings and tags on equipment are inspected and confirmed to be current.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The relationship between different emergency and distress equipment is explained with specific reference to receiving, processing and transmitting data.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Demonstrate knowledge of international and SAN codes and signals.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

International and SAN codes are described with reference to their application and purpose in times of emergency and/or distress.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The description of the legal obligations with respect to distress calls is consistent with international codes and naval regulations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The procedures to be followed when a distress signal is accidentally activated are described, and are consistent with navy and international maritime codes and company operating policies.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The procedures to be followed on "Mayday received" and "mayday relay" are described in accordance with guidelines and regulations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The procedures for operating signalling equipment are described with reference to their intended purpose, manufacturer's directions and legislative requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Explanations of the consequences of failing to send distress messages or of sending incorrect distress messages include references to potential legal and/or safety implications.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Compose and send distress messages.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Distress messages composed are clear, concise, and accurate and transmitted in accordance with standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Signalling equipment selected is appropriate and suitable to the type of emergency.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Signalling equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer's directions and legislative requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The process followed in the event that a distress signal is accidentally activated is correct according to international and SAN regulations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Distress calls and messages are handled in a manner consistent with the degree of urgency required, and is appropriate to the given situation, in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

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

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

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

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredit as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies are specified otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Embedded knowledge includes:

IMO Performance Standards.

SOLAS Convention, as amended.

STCW Convention, as amended.

Merchant Shipping Notices.

Marine Radar Performance Specifications.

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids Performance Specifications.

Reports of Courts of Marine Enquiry relevant to safe navigation.

Marine Accident Investigation Bureau reports relevant to safe navigation.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Notes to Assessors:

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. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

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.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

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:

Every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in the STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

At least hold an appropriate certificate for performing VHF radio-communications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.

If designated to have primary responsibility for radio-communications during distress incidents, hold an appropriate certificate issued or recognised under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.

In addition, every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

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:

Officer means a member of the crew, other than the Captain (or Master), designated as such by international law or regulations or, in the absence of such designation, by collective agreement or custom.

Rating means a member of the ship's crew other than the Captain (or Master) or an officer.

STCW Code means the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference resolution 2, as it may be amended.

Seagoing service means service on board a ship relevant to the issue of a certificate or other qualification.

Standard of competence means the level of proficiency to be achieved for the proper performance of functions on board ship in accordance with the internationally agreed criteria.

Management level means the level of responsibility associated with:
> Serving as captain (or master) or first officer on board a seagoing ship.
> Ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.

Operational level means:
> Serving as officer in charge of a navigational watch on board a seagoing ship.
> Maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of an individual serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.

Naval architecture means engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction and repair of marine vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Elective	58840	National Certificate: Submarine Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA

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.

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