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: 

Conduct military missions in accordance with national and naval sub-surface doctrine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244640  Conduct military missions in accordance with national and naval sub-surface doctrine 
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  5 
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 warship safety management and bridge watch-keeping within a naval context, and wish to progress to managing operations in a sub-surface warfare environment. This 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, this unit standard will provide for the recognition of critical knowledge of legislation and regulations governing international relations, and the competence to direct operations at a tactical level.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of national and international legislation, regulations and policy in relation to a specified mission.
  • Establish the command aim and priority.
  • Direct operations at a tactical level.
  • Evaluate operational effectiveness for a specified mission. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • It is also assumed that learners have successfully completed the Navy course, "Orientation to SA Navy and bridge watchkeeping". 
    		•

    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.
    Military missions for submarines may include:
  • Sea Control; Anti-Submarine Warfare; Anti-Surface Warfare; Strategic Deterrence.
  • Landing Special Operations Forces; Search and Rescue; Transportation of personnel and cargo.
  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; Battle Group Support.
  • Mine Warfare; Missile Strike Capability. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of national and international legislation, regulations and policy in relation to a specified mission. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Legislation, regulations and policy includes:
  • LOAC, ROE, MARPOL, SOLAS, STCW, various treaties applicable to southern oceans. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Mission objectives are received, clarified where necessary, and confirmed with Naval Command and/or Joint Operations and are used as the basis for specific mission planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Discussion of the Law Of Armed Conflict (LOAC) identifies protocols, conventions and limitations applicable to the current mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mission objectives are examined for compliance and/or conflict with international regulations governing protection of the environment and safety at sea. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Regulations include:
  • MARPOL (pollution and environment); SOLAS (safety at sea); STCW (international regulations governing merchant shipping).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The mission is evaluated for compliance and/or conflict with specific treaties governing areas of planned operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Treaties include regulations governing:
  • Piracy; territorial limits; limits to jurisdiction; powers of arrest; boarding.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Establish the command aim and priority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The command aim developed is specific, realistic and achievable in terms of force capability and set time parameters, and consistent with overall mission objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The command aim is communicated to relevant senior officers at the outset of the mission. Communication is clear, concise, and promotes effective information transfer as required to teams on board. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Command aims are evaluated against key boat system capabilities and limitations, and contingencies and scenarios developed for possible breakdowns and/or damage sustained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The flow of information from various departments is monitored throughout operations so that knowledge of the capacity of the vessel to deliver to the command aim is accurate and up-to-date at all times. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    In the event of damage, the boat's propulsion, submersion, control, electrical and weapons systems are monitored damage control and repair operations are directed so as to promote the achievement of the command aim within emerging constraints. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Adjustments to the command aim and objectives are appropriate to, and consistent with, the changing state of the vessel's capability under operational conditions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Direct operations at a tactical level. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    It is expected that decisions are based upon and supported by own knowledge and expertise, as well as consultation with appointed and competent functional experts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Roles and responsibilities for command during combat operations are clearly defined with respect to fighting the boat, manoeuvring the boat, and managing boat capacity. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Fighting the boat includes:
  • Anti-surface warfare; anti-sub-surface warfare.

    Manoeuvring the platform includes application of:
  • Control planes; ballast tanks; propulsion systems.

    Capacity includes:
  • Damage control activities; repair; delivery of power and weapons systems.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principle of 'command by veto' is explained in relation to the roles and responsibilities of Captain and senior officers during routine and combat operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information gathered is integrated to provide an accurate overall picture of the current state of the boat and its mechanical, electrical and weapons capability. Requests for further information or clarification complete, enhance or update the situational picture. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes:
  • Reports from departments; visual displays.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Decisions and responses are consistent with available information, the emerging situational picture and naval doctrine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Decisions are made with a degree of urgency appropriate to the demands of the current situation, within limits of acceptable risk, and in a manner calculated to seize the initiative. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Decisions are communicated clearly, concisely, and in a manner that promotes confidence and effective responses from officers and crew. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate operational effectiveness for a specified mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Debriefing sessions are conducted in a positive and constructive manner, and include all participants involved in the incident, drill or simulation in accordance with established naval debriefing procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information gathered is collated and areas for improvement in sub-surface doctrine, tactics, capability and execution are identified, together with suggested improvements and/or recommendations to Naval Command. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Own command role is evaluated for impact on the operation, and the contribution to achievement of the command aim and mission objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information relating to the drill, simulation or incident is disseminated via approved channels to assist with refinement of equipment, responses and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Debriefs are conducted to validate and/or contribute to the development of effective sub-surface 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).
  • It 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.