General Purpose Hand
DECKHAND
FUNCTION
- The General Purpose Deckhand assists the Master, Engineer and Owner as a general hand in the working of the vessel, and
- For off shore and in shore commercial crew; and recommended for recreational boaters
CONTENT
- Nautical terminology, understanding orders given and non-verbal communication skills. How to brief guests, crew and visitors on OHS, donning a life jacket, general vessel operations, participation in crew drills, how to respond in an emergency and mustering.
- Elements of shipboard safety. Know what to look for, identify risks and hazards, reporting and replacing equipment if necessary.
- Throwing lines. The key to a good throw is line selection, keeping the bite open and practice! Before throwing, the bite should be spread, so that when it arrives at the bollard it will simply slip over. Be firm and keep your eye on the target!
- Berthing and unberthing vessels. Spring lines are the key to painless docking. Know why and how to use spring lines and the steps to avoid embarrassment and damage to the vessel. The lines and knots required to berth a large vessel, dock a yacht and manage sails are all aimed at safety, reliability and ease of untying
- Tying a bowline fast is the first step in the art of seamanship. One way to remember: "The end of the rope is the rabbit ...he comes up thru the hole, around the back of the tree, gets a fright, and runs back down the same hole".
- Crew learn about teamwork, observing standards in hygiene, work and behaviour; how to deal with difficult people and resolving conflicts ...it's a revelation!
COURSE
This intensive 5-day course operates every month at Pyrmont and combines:
- 3 days: 9am to 5pm
Activities on board our training vessels as well as classroom theory
Training cost 8 units: $600 - 1 day: 8am to 4pm
Fighting live fires on the training centre wharf; then board the Motor Yacht Sydneysider. Next, jump from the vessel into the harbour for sea survival drills
Training cost 2 practical units: $390 - 1 day: 9am to 5pm
WorkCover Senior First Aid EXTERNAL course
Training cost 1 unit: approximately $100-150
ENROLMENT - Click here to enrol
By enrolling ON LINE, your booking (or enquiry) will be automatically sent to our Help Desk; we will then telephone you directly and discuss your preferred payment method, and/or answer all your questions.
Once your booking has been processed you will be sent by email an enrolment and payment form, OHS requirements and directions to the venue
BRING
- Pen, small pocket sized notepad, diary
- For fire fighting: closed in shoes, cotton long sleeved shirt and long trousers (no poly)
- For sea survival: old sandshoes that can get wet; layered clothing, t shirt, long sleeved shirt and trousers, towel, change of clothes, hat, big warm jacket, sun-block
- Money for lunch at Sydney Fish Markets or BYO lunch box, $2 drinks available onsite. Morning and afternoon tea provided.
REQUIREMENTS
- To gain endorsement the candidate must successfully complete nine (9) units of competency, as listed below.
- You are then awarded a Certificate I in Maritime Operations and have the basic skills and knowledge for entry into the marine industry anywhere in Australia.
- For those who wish to be a deckhand at sea, additional units of competency are required for off shore crew ...this is while the industry waits for the updated version of Maritime Training Package to align with STCW95 endorsement
| TDM10101 | Certificate I in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) General Purpose Hand | |||
| FIELD | No. | Unit Code | Element of Competency | |
| E | Communications | 1 | TDMME101A | Understand orders and be understood in relation to shipboard duties |
| F | Operational Quality and Safety | 2 | TDMMF701B | Observe safe working practices and procedures |
| 3 | TDMMF801B | Comply with emergency procedures | ||
| 4 | TDMMF1001A | Provide first aid - Equivalent: WorkCover Senior First Aid | ||
| 5 | TDMMF1101A | Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment | ||
| 6 | TDMMF1201A | Minimise the risk of fire and maintain a state of readiness to respond to emergency situations | ||
| 7 | TDMMF5302A | Fight and extinguish fires on board a commercial vessel | ||
| L | Human Resources | 8 | TDMML201A | Contribute to effective human relationships |
| R | Carry Out Operations on Equip & Systems | 9 | TDMMR4301A | Assist in mooring and anchor handling activities |
| Elements required for completion of the qualification = 9 | ||||
GETTING STARTED
Why not learn a few flags and your 'call sign' (name) in the phonetic language ...and get ahead of the rest! The following is an extract from our deckhand course:
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SIGNAL FLAGS and PHONETIC ALPHABET
How flags work: Hoisting the "A" (Alpha) flag, signals a diver is down and to keep clear, while flying the "W" (Whiskey) flag indicates that medical assistance is needed aboard.
| A |  | Alpha = white and blue (swallow tail) I have a Diver Down Keep well clear at slow speed |
| B |  | Bravo = red (swallow tail) I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods. |
| C |  | Charlie = blue, white, red, white, blue Yes (affirmative) |
| D |  | Delta = yellow, blue, yellow Keep Clear of me, I am manoeuvering with difficulty |
| E |  | Echo = blue and red I am altering my course to Starboard (right) |
| F |  | Foxtrot = red diamond on white I am disabled, communicate with me. |
| G |  | Golf = yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue I require a Pilot, or when made by a Fishing Vessels at Sea, I am hauling nets. |
| H |  | Hotel = white and red I have a Pilot on Board |
| I |  | India = black spot on yellow I am altering my course to Port (left) |
| J |  | Juliett = blue, white, blue I am on Fire and have dangerous cargo aboard. Keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo. |
| K |  | Kilo = yellow and blue I wish to Communicate with you |
| L |  | Lima = yellow and black check In harbour: Your ship is under quarantine At sea: You should stop your vessel instantly |
| M |  | Mike = white cross on blue My vessel is stopped and making no way in the water |
| N |  | November = blue and white check No (negative) |
| O |  | Oscar = yellow and red Man Overboard And the flag used for semaphore signalling: 
|
| P |  | Papa = white box on blue In Harbour: All persons aboard, we're about to proceed to Sea; At sea: My nets are fast upon an obstruction |
| Q |  | Quebec = yellow My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique (quarantine) |
| R |  | Romeo = yellow cross on red. The way is off my ship, and used by vessels anchored in low visibility to warn in danger of collision. |
| S |  | Sierra = blue box on white I am operating astern propulsion |
| T |  | Tango = red, white, blue Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling (2 vessels) |
| U |  | Uniform = red and white You are running into danger |
| V |  | Victor = red cross on white. I require assistance Also a distress signals as seen on the V sheet: 
|
| W |  | Whiskey = red box, on white, on blue I require medical assistance |
| X |  | X-ray = blue cross on white Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signal |
| Y |  | Yankee = red and yellow diagonal I am dragging my anchor |
| Z |  | Zulu = yellow, black, blue, red triangles I require a tug; Trawlers at sea, I am shooting nets |