Higher National Unit Specification General information for centres Unit code: D77X 34 Unit purpose: This Unit is about developing a knowledge of the correct procedures to be followed in response to emergencies and distress signals at sea. It is also about the action to take when language difficulties arise and the ability to transmit and receive information by visual signalling. It is primarily aimed at candidates who intend to seek sea-going employment as a Merchant Navy Deck Officer. However it could also be studied by someone with an interest in the subject area. On completion of this Unit the candidate should be able to: 1. Explain how to follow contingency plans in the event of emergencies 2. Explain how to respond to distress signals 3. Use procedures to communicate when language difficulties arise 4. Transmit and receive information by visual signalling Credit value: 1 HN Credit at SCQF level 7: (8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7) SCQF (the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) brings Scottish qualifications into a single framework of 12 levels ranging from SQA Access 1 to doctorates. The SCQF includes degrees; HNC/Ds; SQA National Qualifications; and SVQs. Each SQA Unit is allocated a number of SCQF credit points at a specific level. 1 SCQF point = 10 hours of learning. HN candidates are normally expected to input a further number of hours, matched to the credit value of the Unit, of non-contact time or candidate-led effort to consolidate and reinforce learning. Recommended prior knowledge and skills: Access to this Unit is at the discretion of the centre. However candidates would benefit most from this Unit if they have successfully completed the Marine Induction Course associated with the HNC/D Nautical Science. Core skills: There may be opportunities to gather evidence towards core skills in this Unit, although there is no automatic certification of core skills or core skills components. Context for delivery: This Unit is included in the framework of the HNC/D Nautical Science. It is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the subject area of the group award to which it contributes. HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 1
General information for centres (cont) Assessment: Assessment will be on a sample basis with Outcome 1 being assessed by means of oral questioning or a closed book written assessment under supervised conditions. Outcome 2 will be assessed by a combination of oral and/or short answer questions under supervised conditions. Outcomes 3 and 4 should be combined for assessment purposes and assessed by means of a practical exercise. HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 2
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards Unit code: D77X 34 The sections of the Unit stating the Outcomes, knowledge and/or skills, and evidence requirements are mandatory. Where evidence for Outcomes is assessed on a sample basis, the whole of the content listed in the knowledge and/or skills section must be taught and available for assessment. Candidates should not know in advance the items on which they will be assessed and different items should be sampled on each assessment occasion. Outcome 1 Explain how to follow contingency plans in the event of emergencies Knowledge and/or skills Explain the action to take in the event of malfunction or failure of bridge equipment including: a) calling the Master and complying with orders b) communicating with others and safety of the vessel c) action to take following alarm indicating failure of: (i) Navigation lights (ii) Navigation aids (iii) Compasses (iv) Auto-pilot and steering systems (v) Bridge control or Engine Telegraph Explain the contingency plans and action to take as OOW in the event of emergencies at sea or in port as applicable, including: (a) main engine failure (b) steering gear failure (c) man overboard (d) fire (e) dragging anchor (f) imminent collision and collision (g) stranding and grounding (h) flooding (i) passenger and cargo emergencies (j) stability emergencies (k) parting of lines and tow ropes HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 3
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) (l) piracy and terrorist activity (m) abandon ship In each case the following is to be included in compliance with shipboard contingency plans, standing orders and company instructions and guidance: (i) Precautions for the protection and safety of persons on board (ii) Initial actions and response (iii) Communications and signals required (iv) Procedures to be followed Evidence requirements Candidates will need evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can correctly: explain the action to take in the event of malfunction or failure of bridge equipment explain the contingency plans and action to take as OOW in the event of emergencies at sea or in port Assessment guidelines Outcome 1 will be assessed on a sample basis by means of oral questioning or a closed book written assessment under supervised conditions which should include two different failures or malfunctions of equipment and the action to take in one emergency at sea and one in port. Outcome 2 Explain how to respond to distress signals Knowledge and/or skills Recognise Distress, Urgency and Safety signals contained in the Annex IV International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, SOLAS, IAMSAR Manual, Annual Summary Admiralty Notice to Mariners Notice No.4 for: (a) Ships in Distress, Statutory Distress Signals, EPIRBs and SARTs (b) Radio watch for and reception of distress signals (c) Sunken submarine (d) Aircraft casualties at sea (e) RT Distress procedure (f) Instructions to lookouts HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 4
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Explain how to communicate with the distressed craft in accordance with International Regulations and procedures regarding the action on receiving a distress signal, the recording of the distress message and communications as per IAMSAR manual Explain how to obtain information on the position and nature of the distress, including: a) component of the distress message b) identification, position, nature and kind of assistance required c) technique of homing on radio signals Explain the further action required to comply with contingency planning and master's instructions, including: (a) IAMSAR manual: Action by assisting ships (b) immediate action. Proceeding to the area of distress (c) on board preparation (d) aircraft casualties at sea (e) following a contingency plan The general arrangements for search and rescue, including: (a) the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (b) in addition to ships, the assistance which may be given by authorities around the coast of the United Kingdom (c) ships' Position and reporting systems Evidence requirements Candidates will need evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can correctly: recognise distress, urgency and safety signals explain the action to take in response to a distress signal explain the general arrangements for search and rescue Assessment guidelines Outcome 2 will be assessed on a sample basis by a combination of oral and/or short answer questions under supervised conditions on the general arrangements for search and rescue and the recognition of, and response to, distress signals. HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 5
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Outcome 3 Use procedures to communicate when language difficulties arise Knowledge and/or skills Use IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases Use the International Code of Signals to communicate when language difficulties arise Explain the content of current M Notices on phrases and codes to aid communication Evidence requirements Candidates will need evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can correctly: use sources of phrases and codes to communicate when language difficulties arise Assessment guidelines Outcome 3 could be combined with Outcome 4 for assessment purposes and assessed on a sample basis by means of a practical exercise on the use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases and the use of the International Code of Signals. Outcome 4 Transmit and receive information by visual signalling Knowledge and/or skills Send and receive signals in the "International Code of Signals, including: (a) send and receive signals in Morse code by light including: (i) receive twenty letters and numbers in a period of two minutes (ii) transmit letters and numbers (iii) use Morse signalling procedures (b) the recognition of all code flags (c) single letter meanings of code flags (d) distress signals (e) use of the phonetic alphabet (f) encoding and decoding messages (g) procedures as defined in the International Code of Signals (h) records of signals are complete, accurate and comply with guidelines and procedures HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 6
Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Evidence requirements Candidates will need evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and/or skills by showing that they can correctly: send and receive signals in Morse Code by light send and receive signals in the "International Code of Signals Assessment guidelines Outcome 4 could be combined with Outcome 3 for assessment purposes and sample assessed by means of a practical exercise on the use of Morse Code by light and the International Code of Signals for sending and receiving messages. Administrative Information Unit code: D77X 34 Unit title: Emergency Response and Communications Superclass category: ZF Date of publication: August 2001 Source: SQA Scottish Qualifications Authority 2001 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that no profit is derived from reproduction and that, if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. Additional copies of this Unit specification can be purchased from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The cost for each Unit specification is 2.50 (minimum order 5.00). HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 7
Higher National Unit specification: support notes This part of the Unit is offered as guidance. The support notes are not mandatory. While the exact time allocated to this Unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional design length is 40 hours. Guidance on the content and context for this Unit The content of this Unit forms part of the underpinning knowledge for the Level 3 SVQ Marine Vessel Operations and reflects the content of International Maritime Organisation s Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). Guidance on delivery of this Unit The knowledge and skills acquired in this Unit will be practised extensively at sea so that the experience gained can be utilised in the HN Unit D78F 35 Passage Planning. Open learning The preferred method of delivery is by attendance at college as the majority of candidates following this Unit will be on a training programme comprising alternating periods at college and at sea, the sea periods being utilised to put into practice knowledge and skills acquired. Special needs This Unit specification is intended to ensure that there are no artificial barriers to learning or assessment. Special needs of individual candidates should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment instruments or considering special alternative Outcomes for Units. For information on these, please refer to the SQA document Guidance on Special Assessment and Certification Arrangements for Candidates with Special Needs and Candidates for whom English is an Additional Language (SQA, 2000). HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 8
General information for candidates This Unit is about developing a knowledge of the correct procedures to follow in response to emergencies and distress signals at sea, the action to take when language difficulties arise and the ability to transmit and receive information by visual signalling. On completion of this Unit you should be able to: explain how to follow contingency plans in the event of emergencies explain how to respond to distress signals use procedures to communicate when language difficulties arise transmit and receive information by visual signalling Outcome 1 will be assessed by means of a closed book sampled assessment under supervised conditions on failures or malfunction of equipment and action to take in an emergency at sea or in port. Outcome 2 will be assessed by a combination of oral and/or short answer questions under supervised conditions on the general arrangements for search and rescue and the recognition of, and response to, distress signals. Outcomes 3 and 4 may be combined for assessment purposes and assessed by means of a practical exercise on the use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases and on the use of the Morse code and International Code of signals. Acronyms EPIRB s IAMSAR IMO OOW RT SART s SOLAS STCW Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacons International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and rescue Manual International Maritime Organisation Officer of the Watch Radio Telephony Search and Rescue Transponders Safety of Life at Sea Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers HN Unit D77X 34: Emergency Response and Communications 9