Control Operation of Survival Craft and Rescue Boats — Open Awards Occupational Qualification Motor Vehicle & Transport Revision

    This element equips Able Seafarers with the skills to take charge of survival craft and rescue boat operations during emergencies. It covers preparing, lau

    Topic Synopsis

    This element equips Able Seafarers with the skills to take charge of survival craft and rescue boat operations during emergencies. It covers preparing, launching, manoeuvring, and recovering craft while ensuring the safety of all personnel, and emphasises compliance with statutory regulations and effective survival management. Practical application demands leadership, clear communication, and the ability to respond to dynamic maritime situations.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Control Operation of Survival Craft and Rescue Boats

    OPEN AWARDS
    vocational

    This element equips Able Seafarers with the skills to take charge of survival craft and rescue boat operations during emergencies. It covers preparing, launching, manoeuvring, and recovering craft while ensuring the safety of all personnel, and emphasises compliance with statutory regulations and effective survival management. Practical application demands leadership, clear communication, and the ability to respond to dynamic maritime situations.

    2
    Learning Outcomes
    14
    Assessment Guidance
    13
    Key Skills
    2
    Key Terms
    18
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    Open Awards Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies: Able Seafarer (Deck) (RQF)
    Open Awards Level 2 Diploma in Maritime Studies: Workboats (RQF)

    Topic Overview

    The Open Awards Level 2 Certificate in Maritime Studies: Able Seafarer (Deck) (RQF) is a foundational qualification for those aspiring to work as deck ratings on merchant vessels. It covers essential knowledge and skills required for safe and efficient deck operations, including mooring, anchoring, cargo handling, and emergency procedures. This qualification is part of the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved training pathways and is a stepping stone towards becoming an Able Seafarer (Deck) – a key role in the ship's deck department.

    Studying this certificate equips you with practical competencies such as rope work, maintenance of deck equipment, and navigation watchkeeping duties under supervision. It also emphasizes safety, with modules on fire prevention, first aid, and survival at sea. Understanding these topics is crucial because deck ratings are responsible for the physical operation of the vessel and must respond effectively in emergencies. This qualification not only prepares you for sea service but also meets international STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) requirements.

    In the wider context of maritime studies, this certificate provides the practical foundation for career progression. After gaining sea time, you can advance to higher certifications like Able Seafarer (Deck) Unlimited or even officer-level qualifications. The skills learned here are directly applicable to real-world shipping operations, making it a vital first step for anyone serious about a career at sea.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Mooring and anchoring operations: Understanding the correct procedures for securing the vessel to a berth or anchoring, including the use of mooring lines, winches, and anchors, as well as safety precautions to prevent injuries.
    • →Cargo handling and stowage: Knowledge of different cargo types (e.g., bulk, container, general) and safe handling techniques, including lashing, securing, and using cargo gear like cranes and derricks.
    • →Emergency procedures and survival: Familiarity with musters, fire drills, lifeboat operations, and use of personal survival equipment, as required by STCW Code A-VI/1-1 to 1-4.
    • →Deck maintenance and seamanship: Skills in painting, chipping rust, rope splicing, and using tools for upkeep of the ship's hull and deck fittings, ensuring vessel seaworthiness.
    • →Watchkeeping duties: Understanding the role of a rating during navigational watches, including lookout, helmsman duties, and communication with the officer of the watch (OOW).

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1. Be able to prepare survival craft and rescue boats for use 1.1 Direct preparation of craft for launching to operational requirements 1.2 Supervise safe boarding of craft 1.3 Ensure propulsion is available2. Be able to launch survival craft and rescue boats 2.1 Direct launching craft within equipment limitations 2.2 Demonstrate clear and concise communications to personnel throughout craft operations3. Be able to take initial actions on leaving a vessel 3.1 Ensure the craft clears the vessel safely 3.2 Supervise initial actions on leaving the vessel to minimise threat to personnel4. Be able to maintain survival actions in a survival craft 4.1 Manoeuvre the craft in the correct seamanlike manner 4.2 Maintain propulsion 4.3 Supervise of safe transfer of personnel 4.4 Identify casualties amongst personnel 4.5 Treat casualties amongst personnel 4.6 Apply survival management appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions 4.7 Demonstrate prompt response to unforeseen circumstances5. Be able to recover survival craft and rescue boats 5.1 Direct safe recovery of craft6. Know statutory regulations relating to survival craft and rescue boats 6.1 Describe how to comply with emergency procedures 6.2 Describe the types and use of lifesaving appliances normally carried on vessels7. Know how to take charge of survival craft and rescue boats 7.1 Describe the principles of survival at sea 7.2 Describe how to manage survival craft 7.3 Describe how to manage survivors 7.4 Describe how to apply first aid to survivors 7.5 List the equipment in survival craft 7.6 Describe the use of equipment in survival craft 7.7 Describe how to use communication and signalling apparatus appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions
    • 1. Be able to prepare survival craft and rescue boats for use 1.1 Direct preparation of craft for launching to operational requirements 1.2 Supervise safe boarding of craft 1.3 Ensure propulsion is available2. Be able to launch survival craft and rescue boats 2.1 Direct launching craft within equipment limitations 2.2 Demonstrate clear and concise communications to personnel throughout craft operations3. Be able to take initial actions on leaving a vessel 3.1 Ensure the craft clears the vessel safely 3.2 Supervise initial actions on leaving the vessel to minimise threat to personnel4. Be able to maintain survival actions in a survival craft 4.1 Manoeuvre the craft in the correct seamanlike manner 4.2 Maintain propulsion 4.3 Supervise of safe transfer of personnel 4.4 Identify casualties amongst personnel 4.5 Treat casualties amongst personnel 4.6 Apply survival management appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions 4.7 Demonstrate prompt response to unforeseen circumstances5. Be able to recover survival craft and rescue boats 5.1 Direct safe recovery of craft6. Know statutory regulations relating to survival craft and rescue boats 6.1 Describe how to comply with emergency procedures 6.2 Describe the types and use of lifesaving appliances normally carried on vessels7. Know how to take charge of survival craft and rescue boats 7.1 Describe the principles of survival at sea 7.2 Describe how to manage survival craft 7.3 Describe how to manage survivors 7.4 Describe how to apply first aid to survivors 7.5 List the equipment in survival craft 7.6 Describe the use of equipment in survival craft 7.7 Describe how to use communication and signalling apparatus appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for correctly detailing the pre-launch checklist, including verification of propulsion, communication equipment, and survival gear as per SOLAS requirements.
    • Look for evidence of clear, unambiguous commands and confirmation of understanding when directing crew during preparatory and launching sequences.
    • Credit must be given for demonstrating a safe and controlled clearance from the vessel, accounting for environmental factors and potential hazards.
    • In survival craft management, assess the candidate's ability to maintain propulsion, navigate a search pattern if required, and manage limited resources efficiently.
    • For recovery operations, ensure the candidate directs the safe and systematic recovery of the craft, minimising risk of injury or damage.
    • When assessing knowledge, require accurate description of emergency procedures and the specific use of each item of lifesaving equipment in accordance with the LSA Code.
    • Award credit for demonstrating clear, unambiguous instructions for preparing the craft, including verifying release mechanisms and securing loose items.
    • Award credit for ensuring orderly boarding with attention to weight distribution and accounting for all personnel.
    • Award credit for confirming propulsion availability by starting engines or rigging oars and checking fuel/power.
    • Award credit for launching craft within equipment limitations, using clear communication and avoiding drift into hazards.
    • Award credit for immediately clearing the vessel's side, maintaining a safe distance and preventing suction or collision.
    • Award credit for directing initial actions such as activating EPIRB, establishing a lookout, and assessing casualties to minimise time in danger zone.
    • Award credit for manoeuvring the craft in a seamanlike manner appropriate to sea conditions, including steering a steady course and maintaining station.
    • Award credit for supervising safe personnel transfers using proper equipment and coordination.
    • Award credit for systematic identification and treatment of casualties using triage and first aid, including CPR and hypothermia management.
    • Award credit for adapting survival management to prevailing circumstances, such as deploying sea anchors, rationing supplies, and maintaining morale.
    • Award credit for directing safe recovery of craft using designated systems and securing all personnel.
    • Award credit for accurately describing SOLAS emergency procedures, lifesaving appliances, and the principles of survival at sea.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡During practical assessments, verbalize each step clearly to demonstrate your decision-making process; assessors look for command presence and rationale.
    • 💡Familiarise yourself with the specific survival craft and rescue boat types used in your training centre, including their equipment stowage plans and limitations.
    • 💡For knowledge-based assessments, memorise key SOLAS regulations and the LSA Code chapters relevant to survival craft, focusing on carriage requirements and launching intervals.
    • 💡Practice casualty management drills including triage and first aid application within the confined space of a survival craft to boost confidence.
    • 💡Always perform a dynamic risk assessment before and during any operation, prioritising the safety of personnel.
    • 💡Practice using Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) to ensure clarity and authority in all orders.
    • 💡For practical assessments, demonstrate leadership by assigning specific roles and confirming understanding with a back-brief.
    • 💡Memorise the mandatory equipment list for survival craft as per SOLAS and know the operational use of each item.
    • 💡In survival management scenarios, always address the survival triad: protection from elements, water/food, and signalling for rescue.
    • 💡Follow a systematic first-aid approach: scene safety, primary survey (DR ABC), secondary survey, and ongoing treatment.
    • 💡Use mental checklists for sequences like launch preparation: muster, don lifejackets, prepare craft, board, check propulsion, release, clear.
    • 💡When explaining regulatory compliance, reference SOLAS chapters and flag state requirements to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
    • 💡During recovery operations, slow is smooth, smooth is fast—emphasise control and coordination to prevent incidents.
    • 💡Show prompt response to unforeseen events by calmly assessing the situation and using available resources, then communicate your actions clearly.
    • 💡Focus on STCW conventions: Many questions are based on STCW requirements, especially for basic safety training (e.g., fire fighting, first aid). Memorise key standards and be able to apply them to scenarios.
    • 💡Use correct terminology: In written answers, use precise maritime terms (e.g., 'starboard' not 'right', 'bollard' not 'post'). This shows examiner you understand the professional language.
    • 💡Practice practical skills: For assessments involving rope work or equipment, practice until you can perform tasks quickly and safely. Examiners look for efficiency and adherence to safety protocols.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Failing to ensure the survival craft's engine is running and ready before launching, leading to loss of propulsion post-water entry.
    • Neglecting to account for all personnel during boarding, resulting in a mismatch with the vessel's muster list or overlooking injured crew.
    • Communicating ambiguously during high-stress operations, causing delays or unsafe actions by other crew members.
    • Misidentifying or incorrectly using survival craft equipment, such as pyrotechnics or EPIRBs, due to lack of hands-on familiarity.
    • Overlooking adverse weather or sea conditions when planning initial clearance and drifting strategies, leading to collision with the parent vessel.
    • Failing to consider wind and current when launching, causing the craft to drift back onto the vessel or into hazards.
    • Neglecting to account for all personnel during boarding, leading to a missing crew member in an emergency.
    • Using ambiguous or non-standard communication phrases that result in misinterpretation of orders.
    • Delaying clearing the vessel's side after launch, increasing risk of suction or collision with the mother vessel.
    • Not monitoring propulsion or fuel levels, leading to loss of control or inability to maintain station.
    • Mishandling survivors during transfer operations, causing further injury or falling overboard.
    • Confusing the use of different pyrotechnics (e.g., using a rocket parachute flare as a hand-held flare) or activating EPIRB incorrectly.
    • Underestimating the importance of psychological support and leadership, causing panic or reduced morale among survivors.
    • Misconception: 'Mooring is just tying ropes.' Correction: Mooring involves complex techniques with different types of lines (e.g., head, stern, spring lines) and requires understanding of tidal conditions, wind, and ship handling to avoid accidents.
    • Misconception: 'Cargo handling is only physical labour.' Correction: It requires knowledge of cargo properties, stability calculations, and safety regulations (e.g., IMDG Code for dangerous goods) to prevent damage and ensure crew safety.
    • Misconception: 'Emergency drills are just for show.' Correction: Drills are legally required and critical for developing muscle memory and teamwork, which can save lives during real emergencies like fire or abandon ship.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic maritime knowledge: Understanding of ship types, parts of a vessel, and common nautical terms is helpful before starting this certificate.
    • •Elementary mathematics: Ability to perform basic calculations for cargo weights, stability, and time-speed-distance problems.
    • •Physical fitness: While not a formal prerequisite, the role requires stamina and agility for tasks like climbing ladders, handling heavy lines, and working in confined spaces.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1. Be able to prepare survival craft and rescue boats for use 1.1 Direct preparation of craft for launching to operational requirements 1.2 Supervise safe boarding of craft 1.3 Ensure propulsion is available2. Be able to launch survival craft and rescue boats 2.1 Direct launching craft within equipment limitations 2.2 Demonstrate clear and concise communications to personnel throughout craft operations3. Be able to take initial actions on leaving a vessel 3.1 Ensure the craft clears the vessel safely 3.2 Supervise initial actions on leaving the vessel to minimise threat to personnel4. Be able to maintain survival actions in a survival craft 4.1 Manoeuvre the craft in the correct seamanlike manner 4.2 Maintain propulsion 4.3 Supervise of safe transfer of personnel 4.4 Identify casualties amongst personnel 4.5 Treat casualties amongst personnel 4.6 Apply survival management appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions 4.7 Demonstrate prompt response to unforeseen circumstances5. Be able to recover survival craft and rescue boats 5.1 Direct safe recovery of craft6. Know statutory regulations relating to survival craft and rescue boats 6.1 Describe how to comply with emergency procedures 6.2 Describe the types and use of lifesaving appliances normally carried on vessels7. Know how to take charge of survival craft and rescue boats 7.1 Describe the principles of survival at sea 7.2 Describe how to manage survival craft 7.3 Describe how to manage survivors 7.4 Describe how to apply first aid to survivors 7.5 List the equipment in survival craft 7.6 Describe the use of equipment in survival craft 7.7 Describe how to use communication and signalling apparatus appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions
    • 1. Be able to prepare survival craft and rescue boats for use 1.1 Direct preparation of craft for launching to operational requirements 1.2 Supervise safe boarding of craft 1.3 Ensure propulsion is available2. Be able to launch survival craft and rescue boats 2.1 Direct launching craft within equipment limitations 2.2 Demonstrate clear and concise communications to personnel throughout craft operations3. Be able to take initial actions on leaving a vessel 3.1 Ensure the craft clears the vessel safely 3.2 Supervise initial actions on leaving the vessel to minimise threat to personnel4. Be able to maintain survival actions in a survival craft 4.1 Manoeuvre the craft in the correct seamanlike manner 4.2 Maintain propulsion 4.3 Supervise of safe transfer of personnel 4.4 Identify casualties amongst personnel 4.5 Treat casualties amongst personnel 4.6 Apply survival management appropriate to prevailing circumstances and conditions 4.7 Demonstrate prompt response to unforeseen circumstances5. Be able to recover survival craft and rescue boats 5.1 Direct safe recovery of craft6. Know statutory regulations relating to survival craft and rescue boats 6.1 Describe how to comply with emergency procedures 6.2 Describe the types and use of lifesaving appliances normally carried on vessels7. Know how to take charge of survival craft and rescue boats 7.1 Describe the principles of survival at sea 7.2 Describe how to manage survival craft 7.3 Describe how to manage survivors 7.4 Describe how to apply first aid to survivors 7.5 List the equipment in survival craft 7.6 Describe the use of equipment in survival craft 7.7 Describe how to use communication and signalling apparatus appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions

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