Open Awards
Level 2
QN: 610/5500/1
Curriculum Active
Open Awards Level 2 Award in Maritime Studies: Deck Rating (RQF)
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by Open Awards. Classified as a Occupational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 115 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 2
Awarding Body
Open Awards
Syllabus Units
8 Units
Guided Hours
115 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Assisting With Securing a Vessel for Passage
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know how to maintain a vessel’s weather and watertight integrity 1.1 Describe what is meant by the terms
- weather tight
- watertight 1.2 Describe how weather and watertightness is maintained within the vessel’s structure 1.3 Describe common occurrences that might compromise weather and watertight integrity 1.4 Describe the purpose of taking soundings of vessel compartments2.
- Understand the reasons for securing a vessel for passage 2.1 Describe the purpose of securing a vessel for sea, covering cargo, mooring equipment, lifting equipment and anchors
2
Basic Navigational Watchkeeping
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know common nautical terms 1.1 Define nautical terms related to vessel operations including
- Know how to contribute to the monitoring and control of a safe watch 2.1 Identify relevant navigational sightings, sounds and weather changes that may affect the vessel 2.2 Explain how to report relative bearings of sounds, lights and other objects3.
- Understand what is involved in steering a vessel 3.1 Describe the difference between a gyroscope and a magnetic compass 3.2 Explain the meaning of common helm orders 3.3 Explain helm order procedure 3.4 Describe the effects of wind, sea state and ship’s speed on steering a vessel 3.5 Describe the change-over procedure between manual and automatic steering modes4.
- Know what bridge equipment is used for lookout and watchkeeping duties 4.1 Identify common bridge equipment used during lookout and watchkeeping duties 4.2 Identify equipment alarms 4.3 Explain the importance of reporting alarms to the Officer Of the Watch
3
Emergency First Aid in Response to Maritime Accidents or Medical Emergencies
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the types of accidents or medical emergencies that may occur 1.
- Identify the main types of maritime accidents and emergencies, including collision, fire, foundering and man overboard 1.
- Identify the types of casualties which may arise from these situations2.
- Know what to do in case of an accident or medical emergency 2.
- Describe the immediate measures to be taken in the case of accidents or medical emergencies 2.
- Describe body structure and functions 2.
- Describe how to make a rapid identification of probable ca
- use, nature and extent of casualty injuries 2.
- Describe how to assess the needs of casualties 2.
- Outline the importance of minimising risk of further harm to self and casualty3.
- Understand how to apply elementary first aid techniques 3.
- Describe how to apply appropriate measures in event of burns and scalds 3.
- Describe how to apply appropriate measures in response to accidents caused by electric current 3.
- Demonstrate how to apply resuscitation techniques 3.
- Describe how to control bleeding 3.
- Describe how to improvise bandages 3.
- Describe the uses of materials in emergency kit 3.
- Describe how to apply basic shock management measures4.
- Know how to adjust responses according to circumstances 4.
- Describe how the manner and timing of raising the alarm should relate to different degrees of accidents or emergencies 4.
4
Maritime Employment, Environmental and Health and Safety Practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of personal and employer rights and responsibilities 1.1 Explain the importance of maintaining good working relationships 1.2 Identify employer/employee rights and responsibilities under employment law 1.3 Identify sources of information regarding employment rights and responsibilities 1.4 Explain the dangers of drug, alcohol and substance ab
- use in a work environment 1.5 Identify the types of industry-specific bodies and their purpose e.g. trade unions and professional bodies 2.
- Understand the importance of protecting the marine environment 2.1 Identify the possible effects of operational or accidental pollution on the marine environment 2.2 Identify the use of Marpol in protecting the marine environment 2.3 Describe the responsible fishing scheme 2.4 List major factors that have an environmental impact on developments in ports and harbours3.
- Know health and safety practices and legislation 3.1 Identify the basic regulations with regard to health and safety at work, including
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)
- The Merchant Shipping (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regulations 1998 (COSWP)
- Lifting and Handling (LOLER)
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 3.2 Identify and give examples of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and situations where they should be used 3.3 Identify a range of safety signs including those for
- Prohibition 3.4 Identify roles and responsibilities for safety officials 3.5 Identify the principles of risk assessment 3.6 Identify dangerous situations on board vessels and the surrounding area 3.7 Identify safe working practices relatedto
- Enclosed spaces
- Lifting and handling
- Typical hazards
5
Maritime Security
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the principal types of maritime safety and security risks 1.
- Identify the principal types of safety and security risks in the maritime industry 1.
- Outline the three International Port and Shipping Code (ISPS) levels of security2.
- Know how to contribute to maintaining safety and security in a maritime environment 2.
- Outline the impact of the ISPS for personal responsibility regarding safety and security 2.
- Identify the reasons for wearing and displaying security / identification clothing / badges 2.
- Outline the role of vigilance in the maintenance of maritime safety and security3.
- Know what to do in the event of a safety and security risk 3.
- Outline the value of training and drills 3.
- Describe the safety and security roles and hierarchical structure which typically exist in maritime organisations 3.
- Identify the actions which should be taken on encountering safety or security risks 3.
- Describe how actions should be adjusted according to different levels of security alert 3.
- Identify the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to challenge individuals due to safety and security risks 3.
- Outline the importance of working within the boundaries of personal responsibility regarding safety and security 3.
- Identify the reasons for maintaining confidentiality when dealing with specific types of risks to safety and security4.
- Understand the importance of following organisational safety and security procedures 4.
- Describe the importance of familiarity with organisational procedures for dealing with safety and security risks 4.
- Describe the importance of following organisational procedures for dealing with safety and security risks
6
Survival in the Water during Maritime Emergencies
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the types of maritime emergencies 1.
- Identify the main types of maritime emergencies, including collision, fire, foundering and man overboard2.
- Know the survival equipment used during maritime emergencies 2.
- Identify the types of life-saving appliances 2.
- Identify the location of personal life-saving appliances 2.
- Identify the equipment in a survival aircraft3.
- Understand the principles of survival during a maritime emergency 3.
- Outline the value of training and drills 3.
- Outline the importance of personal protective clothing and equipment 3.
- Outline the need to be ready for any maritime emergency4.
- Know how to abandon ship during maritime emergency 4.
- Identify the actions to be taken when called to survival craft stations 4.
- Identify the actions to be taken when required to abandon ship 4.
- Identify the actions to be taken when in the water 4.
- Identify the actions to be taken when onboard a survival craft 4.
- Identify the main dangers to survivors5.
- Be able to survive in the water during maritime emergency 5.
- Don a lifejacket 5.
- Don and use an immersion suit 5.
- Jump from a height into the water 5.
7
Vessel Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW)
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand fire prevention on board ship 1.
- Describe the possible consequences of fire on board ship 1.
- Identify common causes of fire on board ship 1.
- Describe procedures to minimise the risk of fire on board ship 1.
- Identify the fire protection systems used on board ship 1.
- Identify the fire and smoke detection, and automatic alarm systems on board ship 1.
- Outline the need for constant vigilance against fire on board ship2.
- Know how to respond in the event of a fire onboard ship 2.
- Outline the value of fire training and drills 2.
- Describe the shipboard fire fighting organisation 2.
- Describe the functions of fire party 2.
- Identify the location of fire fighting appliances and emergency escape routes on board ship 2.
- State the procedures to follow on discovering a fire on board ship 2.
- Describe the actions to take when called to muster stations3.
- Understand the principles of fire and extinguishing fire 3.
- Identify the three elements of fire 3.
- Identify types and sources of ignition 3.
- Identify types of flammable materials 3.
- Describe the different ways in which fire spreads 3.
- Describe the dangers of smoke inhalation 3.
8
Vessel Ropework, Anchoring and Mooring Activities
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Learning Outcome (The Learner will): Assessment Criterion (The Learner can):1.
- Understand the use of rope
- work on board a vessel 1.1 Describe the safe handling
- use and care of ropes, wires and webbing used for lashing, lifting and mooring 1.2 Describe the safe handling and care of
- shackles 1.3 Describe the rigging of safety lines2.
- Be able to undertake rope
- work on a vessel 2.1 Produce knots, bends and hitches in common use including
- rolling hitch
- round turn and two half hitches 2.2 Use bosun’s chairs safely 2.3 Use stages safely3.
- Know how to safely assist in anchoring operations 3.1 Describe anchor equipment including
- parts of the anchor
- associated equipment 3.2 List anchoring terminology used during anchoring operations 3.3 Describe safe anchoring procedures including the use of personal protective equipment4.
- Know how to safely assist in mooring operations 4.1 Describe safe mooring procedures 4.2 Identify communication methods in common use when carrying out mooring operations5.
- Know how to maintain safe access to vessels 5.1 Describe the use of gangways 5.2 Describe how to rig safe access to vessels
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 610/5500/1
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- Open Awards
- Qualification Type
- Occupational Qualification
- Operational Start
- May 2025