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:

Execute a mission plan on a submarine

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244632	Execute a mission plan 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 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	12
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 (submarine) within a naval context. These two qualifications are foundational for further progression as an officer into warship operations management, and ultimately to command and control in a maritime surface warfare environment.

This unit standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical skills in carrying out mission plans with the essential knowledge needed to earn a formal qualification in Submarine Operations Management.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Arrange resources for mission operation.

Conduct briefings in response to threat appreciation and safety management.

Participate in the development of tactics for naval missions.

Evaluate the mission planning execution process.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners are competent in Communications at NQF Level 4 and that they have successfully completed the, "Orientation to submarine services in the SAN." Programme.

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

Execute planning and provisioning requirements of the mission plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Provisioning of the vessel and crew is executed to meet the requirements of the mission plan, and in a manner that complies with standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Paperwork is completed accurately by the stipulated deadlines.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Provisioning includes:

Clothing, personal protective equipment, victuals, ordnance, stationery, consumables, fuel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Tactical planning is completed in terms of available intelligence, applicable rules of engagement and naval orders and orders are clarified with the appropriate authorities as required.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Tactical planning regarding the mission plan is communicated to appropriate personnel in the required format, and via appropriate channels, as per standard operating procedure.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Conflicts arising from communication during execution of the plan are resolved, queries handled and instructions clarified as required.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Mission planning is comprehensively done, based on reliable intelligence, and facilitates effective execution and is appropriate to the type of mission, and complies with national policies and naval doctrine.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

Mission plan execution is adapted where necessary based on the information updates received about the situation picture as per standard operating procedures.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Conduct briefings in response to threat appreciation and safety management.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Mission plan briefing is conducted face-to-face or by means of written instructions with relevant personnel in accordance with standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Command teams or own team are briefed verbally concerning the threat appreciation relating to enemy platforms, weapons and sensors as per standard operating procedure.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The emission control plan is communicated and monitored throughout the operation to protect the security of information.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Plan includes:

Communication content (what can and cannot be broadcast); coded language; publication security.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Participate in the development of tactics for naval sub-surface missions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Trial tactics are developed in response to threat appreciations, and trialled during operational exercises.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Tactics are critically reviewed after every operation for effectiveness, and information gathered is used to improve tactics where possible, or discard tactics where they are ineffective.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Approved tactics are submitted to naval command, submarine services, for information and/or formal acceptance.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Outline the hazards associated with diving, manoeuvring or surfacing a submarine.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Risks associated with partial or complete hydraulic or power failure during submerged manoeuvres and/or surfacing operations are explained with reference to manoeuvrability and control limitations and injury to personnel, in line with manufacturer's specifications and the design limitations of the vessel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Hazards associated with malfunctioning diving planes or hydroplanes are described, outlining their possible impact on vertical submarine manoeuvres.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Hazards associated with failure to ensure watertight integrity of the vessel are listed and explained with reference to safety of the vessel and crew, in accordance with naval safety procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Critical safety issues related to emergency diving and surfacing procedures are explained in accordance with SAN and international safety guidelines.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The consequences of failing to sound the correct surfacing alarms are explained with reference to the safety of personnel and that of the submarine.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

The risks associated with surface traffic are clearly outlined, in accordance with International Rules for Preventing Collision at Sea.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Contribute to safety during sub-surface mission execution.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Roles and responsibilities of all personnel during normal and combat states are clearly defined with respect to control, tactical objectives and navigational safety.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Intelligence and advice provided affords early warning and classification of vessels in the vicinity, as they affect planned navigation and/or required evasive action for the mission.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Management and protection of information is ensured by execution of the communication, publications and emission control plans. Plans are monitored and maintained during the operation according to established procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Assistance provided to the Officer of the Day alongside during periods of heightened hostilities supports the officer, strengthens security measures and contributes to the safety of vessel and personnel.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Evaluate the mission planning execution process.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Debriefing sessions are conducted in a positive and constructive manner.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Information pertinent to the evaluation is gathered from all relevant sources and involved personnel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Personnel involved in submarine mission planning are debriefed in accordance with established naval debriefing procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The evaluation report produced complies with format and content requirements and is forwarded to the appropriate authority via approved channels.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Information relating to the execution of the submarine mission plan is disseminated via approved channels to assist with refinement of equipment, responses and procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Debriefs are conducted to validate and/or contribute to the development of effective training evolutions.

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

SOLAS Convention (specifically Chapter V).

STCW Convention (specifically Chapters II and VIII).

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 submarine.
> 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 submarine.
> 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
Core	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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