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 helicopter operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244646  Conduct helicopter operations 
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  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 
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 standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical skills with the essential knowledge of helicopter capabilities needed to direct incoming helicopters, as part of the overall competence required to earn a formal qualification in Submarine Operations Management.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of helicopter capabilities and limitations.
  • Provide joining information to inbound helicopters.
  • Carry out flight deck operations on a submarine. 
    		•

    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.

    Particular applications of these skills are:
  • Directing helicopters to surfaced submarines for replenishment purposes.
  • Directing helicopters to surfaced submarines for deployment or recovery of personnel. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of helicopter capabilities and limitations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The capabilities and limitations of sea borne helicopters are accurately identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The typical roles and employment of seaborne helicopters are identified with respect to the submarine's own mission and task briefing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Typical roles include:
  • Transportation of personnel and cargo; cargo slinging; VERTREPS - vertical replenishments; 'eyes' of the fleet; part of the weapon system; casualty evacuation; deployment of special forces.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The flying limits of the helicopter are identified in relation to the type of operation envisaged, and the vessel's current deck state. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flying limits include:
  • Handling characteristics; fuel endurance.

    Deck state includes:
  • Head and speed; relative wind speed and direction; pitch and roll; QNH (altimeter) setting; deck height.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Vessel personnel required for helicopter operations are identified in terms of their role and responsibilities for each helicopter and operation type. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operations include:
  • Transfer of equipment or stores; transfer of personnel.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Joining and/or manoeuvring instructions issued are consistent with the handling characteristics and other capabilities and limitations of the helicopter, and the prevailing conditions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Provide joining information to inbound helicopters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Deck check information is accurately and clearly communicated, and provides useful information for operational feasibility. Where deck is not within limits, information is communicated with the appropriate degree of urgency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instructions for adjustments to maintain the vessel within operating limits are clear, made as required, and are in line with operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Weather information is kept up to date and accurate, and is relayed clearly, using the appropriate terminology. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weather information includes:
  • Base of cloud, height of cloud, BOWWAVE information, visibility, sea state, amount of cloud in octaves.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information on other contacts, both surface and air, with respect to position and movement that could be hazardous and interfere with helicopter operations, is conveyed clearly and with an appropriate degree of urgency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The inbound course of the helicopter is monitored, and heading corrections provided as required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All communications with the helicopter are brief, to the point, and comply with accepted terminology. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Carry out deck operations on a submarine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All personnel involved in, or directly affected by, deck operations are identified and described in terms of their roles and responsibilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Own role and responsibilities are clearly articulated in relation to others, as well as the chain of command. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Helicopter basic signalling equipment is described with reference to its purpose and operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes:
  • Bats and wands; radio/communications/ships intercom; lighting.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment is checked, ensured to be operational, and operated in accordance with its purpose and standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Visual and voice communications are used to assist the pilot in positioning for close quarter operations, and promote the safety of helicopter, vessel and all personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Deck personnel are controlled in a manner that promotes the efficient execution of the evolution, as well as the safety of personnel and equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Transferred personnel and/or equipment are ensured to be secure and properly located on board the vessel. 


    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.
     
    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.