17903 version 2

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Operate a commercial fishing vessel's rescue boat

Level / 4
Credits / 15

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: operate lifting equipment to launch and retrieve a commercial fishing vessel’s rescue boat and perform the duties of a commercial fishing vessel’s rescue boat crewman and driver in launch and retrieve and man overboard recovery operations.

Subfield / Seafood
Domain / Seafood Vessel Operations
Status / Registered
Status date / 23 April 2007
Date version published / 23 April 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2011
Entry information / Prerequisites: Unit 17902, Demonstrate knowledge of the safe operation of a commercial fishing vessel’s rescue boat; and Unit 6402, Provide resuscitation level 2; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0123

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Assessment of the operational elements of this unit standard must take place on a vessel equipped with a rescue boat, in open water. Emergency and man-overboard situations should be simulated.

2It is the expectation of the Maritime New Zealand and the Primary Industry Training Organisation that candidates will demonstrate competence over a period of at least three months of sea time working on the deck of a commercial fishing vessel.

3All practices and descriptions must comply with the requirements of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, and its associated regulations.

4The requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, can be found in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, International Maritime Organisation: ISBN 92-801-6085-0; or online at

5Safe Ship Management Plan refers to the documented system on the vessel, which is in place to comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, or the NZ Safe Ship Management (SSM) Code under the Maritime Transport Act 1994, Maritime Rules Part 21.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Operate lifting equipment to launch and retrieve a commercial fishing vessel’s rescue boat.

Rangeone of – davit, hiab, crane.

Performance criteria

1.1The launch and retrieval operation is carried out in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

1.2Lifting equipment operation under emergency power is demonstrated in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

Element 2

Perform the duties of a commercial fishing vessel’s rescue boat crewman and driver in launch and retrieve and man overboard recovery operations.

Performance criteria

2.1The duties of a crewman in a launch and retrieve operation are performed in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

2.2The duties of a driver in a launch and retrieve operation are performed in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

2.3The duties of a crewman in a man overboard recovery are performed in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

2.4The duties of a driver in a man overboard recovery are performed in accordance with the Safe Ship Management Plan.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018