AMSA mandated practical assessments

Vessel Size

The AMPA will specify the minimum permitted vessel size. There is no specified maximum vessel size. 

The AMPA must be undertaken on a vessel that:

• can carry the necessary equipment
• allows the seafarer to perform all the required tasks 
• is comparable to the vessel that the seafarer will operate when they receive their certificate of competency. 

For example, a coxswain AMPA must be completed on a vessel of greater than or equal to 5 metres. A larger vessel can be used if there is no appropriately equipped vessel of that size available. 

Engine requirements

The AMPA engineering components can be carried out on a vessel, or ashore or using an appropriate diesel engine (≥75 kW for MED3, ≥150 kW for MED2), propulsion plant, auxiliary systems and deck machinery. If using a workshop in addition to the engine, appropriate auxiliary systems must also be available such as fuel, steering, bilge, electrical etc.

Recreational vessels

AMPAs for Coxswain grades 2 and 1 can be conducted on a State registered recreational vessel where the seafarer (or organisation they are affiliated with) owns the vessel, and is in a remote area. 

Only an approved final assessor can sign off each task and the AMPA cover page for the certificate of competency.

Tasks must be signed off in the AMPA on the day they were performed. If you are signing off on previously conducted assessments, you must record this in the unit's 'Notes' section with the date of the original assessment. 

Tasks in the AMPA must be initialled and dated by the assessor who observed and assessed the task. Assessors must allow realistic time frames for completing tasks. For example, a seafarer cannot complete all 14 units for Master <24 m in a single day. We will not accept AMPAs that have been conducted in unreasonably short time frames. 

Where several tasks are assessed by a single assessor on the same day, these tasks may be bracketed together and signed off as a group. 

Where a task appears in more than one unit, the seafarer is not required to complete the task twice. For example, anchoring a vessel is a task within  Manoeuvre a vessel up to 24 metres within near coastal waters and in  Perform seamanship operations on board a vessel up to 24 metres. You only need to assess a seafarer performing the anchoring task once. 

Tasks in the AMPA can be assessed progressively, so long as final sign off on the cover page is not done until the course is completed, and all final assessments have been undertaken. 

A seafarer who is not assessed as competent can attempt the task again after additional training or time to practice their skills. If a seafarer's performance is well below the required standard, you should advise they return to complete more theory and practical training before reassessment.

If you have any concerns, you may contact AMSA via email Nearcoastal.RTO@amsa.gov.au.

Partial completion of an AMPA may occur in the following circumstances:

• a seafarer completes only part of the qualification with an RTO
• a seafarer completes only those units required for an endorsement to their certificate of competency. For example, a seafarer who wants a 500kW endorsement on their Coxswain grade 2 would only complete the 3 engineering units in the Coxswain grade 1 AMPA.

You should make a note of the reason for partial completion on the cover page of the AMPA and date it. The AMPA needs to be completed in a twelve-month timeframe from the first assessment task. Once the AMPA is completed it then has 12 months of validity for submission to AMSA (should all the tasks be successfully completed) from the date of the final assessment on the cover page.

If a seafarer has a partially completed AMPA signed off by an assessor from another registered training organisation completed within the last 12 months, you should contact us to verify that the assessor is approved and what may be accepted. 

The shipboard safety (otherwise known as ESS) units are included in all AMPAs. You must be a certified final assessor with an RTO to be able to conduct AMPAs for the shipboard safety units.

An AMPA is not required for the following units of competency if the seafarer holds an AMSA certificate as GPH, coxswain grade 1, MED 3 or higher:

• MARF001/MARF027 Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment
• MARF002/MARF028 Follow procedures to minimise and fight fires on board a vessel
• MARF004/MARF029 Meet work health and safety requirements
• MARF005/MARF030 Survive at sea using survival craft.

Additionally, a seafarer who holds a current and valid STCW certificate or certificate of safety training is not required to complete an AMPA for the units listed above. In such cases, the assessor should insert the name of the certificate held in the unit's 'Notes' section. In the 'Assessor comments' on the cover of the AMPA, they should insert the name of the certificate held, the certificate number, date of issue.

Note: If the seafarer holds a Coxswain grade 2 CoC before attempting another AMPA, there is one ESS unit they will need to complete in the new AMPA. This information will also need to be captured in the notes section on the front page of the AMPA.

For example:

• Holds Coxswain grade 2 NC #12345 issued on dd/mm/yy.
• RPL approved for MARF027, MARF028 and MARF029.
• AMPA Assessment completed for MARF030 dd/mm/yy.

The RTO should retain a copy of the certificate of competency with their copy of the AMPA.

If the seafarer does not hold an AMSA certificate of competency they will need to complete the full AMPA assessment, including all shipboard safety tasks.

The RTO should retain a copy of the evidence with their copy of the candidates AMPA. The shipboard safety units may be assessed separately to a certificate of competency. An RTO that does not have the General purpose hand qualification on scope, can complete the shipboard safety units in any other AMPA they are approved to assess as all ESS units are in all other AMPA forms.

The bunkering operation is designated as a group task for practical reasons, but under the MAR Maritime training package it must be assessed on an individual basis.

The assessment includes several sub-tasks, such as accessing and using personal protective equipment (PPE), selecting tools and equipment, measuring tank levels, establishing a safety boundary, deploying fire and spill prevention systems, opening and closing of valves, providing instructions prior to and during refuelling, and refuelling itself.

Each of these tasks can be performed by individuals, with other group members evaluating and providing feedback during performance of the task. The assessment may be repeated with the group members performing a different sub-task each time. 

The AMPA requirement for bunkering, if carried out on board a vessel, could pose a risk to safety and/or the environment. The supervising assessor can step in to prevent such a hazard or can decide to assess the bunkering exercise without actual transfer of fuel. 

As per the Directions for RTOs, approved assessors shall ensure that: 

3.1.11 when an assessor or candidate is confronted with a dangerous situation, or exposed to a risk of accident or injury, the assessment is terminated and rescheduled.

Apply basic survival skills in the event of vessel abandonment

• The task Locate survivors in darkness must be completed by each individual in a pool or other safe water.

For this task, darkness may be simulated.

Handle a vessel up to 12 metres and Manoeuvre a vessel up to 24 metres within near coastal waters

• The task Handle a disabled or partially disabled vessel must be performed as a practical exercise by the individual onboard a vessel operating in navigable waters.

The actual disability of the vessel may be simulated.

Perform seamanship operations on board a vessel up to 24 metres

The task anchor vessel according to depth and prevailing winds

• This must be performed individually on board a vessel operating in navigable waters.

Navigation AMPA tasks 

• both Coxswain and Master <24m Navigation AMPA tasks, are required to be undertaken on board an appropriately equipped vessel using Australian Hydrographic Office (local paper) charts, with a chart table and navigation tools to complete the plotting of positions in real time while on board. 

For any queries or clarification on any of the above direct your questions to the following email: Nearcoastal.RTO@amsa.gov.au