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: 

Maintain a safe bridge watch on a submarine 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244630  Maintain a safe bridge watch on a submarine 
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  10 
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 watchkeeping 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 international and naval regulations and safety requirements needed to earn a formal qualification in Submarine Bridge Watchkeeping.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Manage watchkeeping duties.
  • Handover and relieve watchkeeping duties.
  • Use periscope and related equipment to maintain a bridge watch on a submarine.
  • Maintain watchkeeping records. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communications at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    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. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Manage watchkeeping duties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Submariners are scheduled and assigned to routine watchkeeping duties in a manner that ensures that all personnel is sufficiently rested, ready for duty and relieved at appropriate intervals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All watchkeeping positions and stations are adequately manned for pre-determined shifts in accordance with SAN standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Watchkeeping stations include:
  • Helmsman, throttlemen, sonar and radar operators, torpedo-men, electricians.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    International Rules for Preventing Collision at Sea are described and correctly applied throughout watchkeeping duties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Personnel access to the bridge is controlled and passage to the hatch in surfaced states is kept free in accordance with SAN rules and regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Standard operating procedures for watch keeping duties are described with reference to aircraft contacts, unidentifiable objects, surface vessels and emergency dives. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Handover and relieve watch keeping duties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Handover procedures for watchkeeping personnel are explained using correct naval terminology and in accordance with SAN standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Procedures followed prior to relieving watchkeeping duties are explained with reference to meeting requirements for essential watchkeeping information. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes:
  • Actual and forecasted weather conditions, current position of submarine, speed made over preceding hour, courses and speeds required making during the watch, marked navigational hazards to be expected, current tactical situation, state of all weapons and emergency life-saving apparatus, weather, sea state.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Standing orders for a designated watch period are read and explained with reference to particular situations, which would necessitate calling on Command. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Situations include:

    A decreased fighting ability of the vessel; reduced ability to dive; pulling torpedoes from tubes; weapons commissioning.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Standing orders for routine watchkeeping duties are read, and all actions throughout the watch comply with the orders, in accordance with SAN rules and regulations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Standing orders for routine watchkeeping duties may include use of radar and other navigational aids, taking soundings, clearing away anchors and cables.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Commands and orders given are clear, correct in terms of Naval terminology, and promote effective communication between watchkeeping personnel and the Officer of the Deck. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The ability to sound and interpret emergency signals and alarms is demonstrated accurately in accordance with international and SAN emergency rules and regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Operational needs and night orders for the designated watch are confirmed timeously and acknowledged in accordance with SAN standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Use periscope and related equipment to maintain a bridge watch on a submarine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Periscope and related bridge watchkeeping equipment are located, identified and their purpose explained in accordance with SAN standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The capabilities and limitations of periscopes and related masts is explained and demonstrated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The necessity of utilising all watchkeeping equipment optimally is highlighted with reference to the detection and identification of all targets, as well as possibilities of detection by others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The periscope is operated in accordance with SAN standard operating procedures, utilising settings necessitated by the immediate situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain watchkeeping records. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Watchkeeping documentation completed is detailed, accurate and correct in terms of standard Naval phraseology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Any change in the predetermined course and/or speed of the vessel is accurately recorded and conveyed to Command within a degree of urgency appropriate to the situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Procedures for completion of a watchkeeping shift are accurately described with reference to completing and signing the vessel's log. 


    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 
    Embedded knowledge includes:
  • IMO Performance Standards.
  • SOLAS Convention, as amended.
  • STCW Convention, as amended.
  • 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 seagoing ship.
    > 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 seagoing ship.
    > 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
    Elective  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.