Certificate I in Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal) - VDSS

Undertaking a maritime course with us will equip you with the qualification and skills needed to command a range of vessels depending on your course.

This qualification is suitable for people working in an entry level position in the maritime industry as a General Purpose Hand under general supervision of the master or engineer of a commercial vessel to:

• assist as a general hand on deck or in the engine room of a commercial vessel length as described in Marine Order 505 within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
• assist as a general hand in the engine room only for a vessel with propulsion power as described in Marine Order 505.

Entry Requirements

This course is for students undertaking the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM). Please contact your school for more information.

Key Skills Required for Success:

Entry Requirements: Minimum language, literacy and numeracy LLN standards are ACSF Level 2. Students should be working at or close to reading, writing and numeracy Year 9 NAPLAN standard or equivalent, this ensures they can understand course materials and complete written tasks.

What students need to successfully complete the course:  Students will need to attend one day on campus per week. Sessions include – Recreational Boat licence training, fire training, survival at sea, Maritime Occupational Health and Safety, using lifejackets and liferafts, vessel maintenance including painting, seamanship and maritime communication. Students will complete group and individual tasks.

Physical or mobility requirements: Students will need to have moderate physical ability to undertake tasks such as swimming in water with and without a lifejacket, climbing into liferafts from the water, carry fire extinguishers weighing up to 12 kg.

Proposed Units

• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
• MARB053 Assist with routine maintenance on a commercial vessel
• MARF027 Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
• MARF028 Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
• MARF029 Meet work health and safety requirements
• MARF030 Survive at sea using survival craft
• MARG012 Work as part of a crew on a commercial vessel
• MARN016 Apply general purpose hand skills aboard a commercial vessel

Clothing and Equipment

• Appropriate closed in footwear
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt
• Branded uniform shirt will be supplied

Pathways

• Certificate I in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 2)
• Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)
• Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driving - Grade 3 Near Coastal)
• Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) Master Class 5

Potential Job Outcomes

• Coxswain
• Marine Engine Driver
• Chief mate or deck watchkeeper
• General Purpose Hand
• Master on commercial vessels