Working on a wide variety of specialist vessels.
Occupational Profile
Workboat crew members are part of a small team, typically 2-3 personnel, working on a wide variety of specialist vessels ranging from tugs and multi-purpose workboats to fast pilot boats and crew transfer vessels taking personnel out to vessels or installations offshore. Workboats operate in varying marine environments such as construction of offshore windfarms, providing a range of services within a port or inland waterways, including surveys and towage. In addition, they may act as support vessels in major salvage operations and wreck removal. These vessels are typically less than 24m in length with accommodation for up to 5 persons. The crewmember must have the knowledge, skills and competence to carry out all the core tasks on board with minimal supervision, including; –
- Communications – including use of VHF and UHF radios, mobile telephone and IT
- Navigation &vessel handling – manoeuvre the workboat and check positon using bridge equipment
- Berthing – bring workboat alongside and to handle mooring ropes to secure the workboat
- Towing Operations & Laying Moorings – using winches to handle ropes, wires and chains
- Personnel Transfers – ensuring all precautions taken to allow safe transfer to other object
Cargo handling – assist in slinging of loads, crane operations and securing cargo on board the workboat
Because small crews are the norm, the crewmember will commonly work on their own during operations when the Master is unable to leave the wheelhouse, and in the event that the Master is incapacitated they must be able to take control and get the workboat back to a position of safety
Failure to be able to control an emergency situation could lead to a significant risk to life or to the environment. Since the nature of the work is so varied and fast-changing, workboat companies need to be able to rely on crew being competent in a wide range of skills, with evidence to support that fact, so they can satisfy clients and maritime regulators at short notice that a workboat s and crew are competent to undertake contracted projects.
Summary of Standard
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/workboat-crewmember/
Full Standard
