Workplace-based task book
The workplace-based task book forms an integral part of your training and assessment when completing a maritime course leading to a qualification and commercial marine licence. You receive the book when you enrol in a course with minimal or no prior experience at sea. If you are thinking about working towards a licence or progressing to the next level, talk to a Maritime Safety Queensland authorised registered training organisation (PDF, 27 KB) about starting early on completing your task book on the job.
In addition to completing the task book, you are required to successfully complete a competency-based training program with a registered training organisation. The task book helps you to record details of relevant work experience in a format that satisfies the requirements of registered training organisations and Maritime Safety Queensland.
You will need to record your qualifying sea service in a Record of Service (ROS) book. Where applicable, completion of the task book will lead to a reduction of the qualifying sea service that is a prerequisite for a certificate of competency.
Using the workplace-based task book
The aim of using the task book is to increase the value of your practical experience at sea and enhance the quality of your training program. Wherever possible and appropriate the tasks should be completed in a seagoing environment rather than onshore or in port. Your training organisation will provide you with ongoing support as you work through the task book.
When undertaking any tasks listed in the book, you should first seek permission from your employer, master, engineer or supervisor before commencing the task and ensure you are supervised appropriately. You should both agree on which tasks you wish to complete on a voyage and the most suitable and convenient times for the tasks to be supervised and signed off.
Tasks cannot be signed off retrospectively. Should you believe you have sufficient experience, discuss applying for recognition of prior learning with a registered training organisation.
Who can sign off the task book
Each task performed in the book must be witnessed and signed off by a qualified person connected with the vessel's operation and acting in a supervisory role. A qualified person includes the vessel master or engineer and, where appropriate, it may also include the vessel owner, operations manager or tradesman (for example diesel fitter).
In order for a qualified person to be able to sign off a workplace-based task book they must have the following minimum qualifications and experience for the workplace observations to be considered valid:
- a licence that is at least level with the qualification being supervised
- a restricted licence that is equal to, or above, the qualification being supervised
- a trade qualification directly related to the qualification being supervised (for example, a marine mechanic or diesel fitter can supervise engineering components).
Persons initialing this book are required to provide contact details with a sample signature and initial in the 'supervisor's details' section of the task book. You must also record details such as the time and location of the vessel and where the observation of the task took place.
In some cases you might demonstrate a range of tasks which can be observed together including complex skills such as navigation or predeparture engine checks.
The qualified person is required to observe you performing tasks and sign the workplace-based task book accordingly. Observation of performing a task by qualified persons and signing a task book verifies that the task was observed and performed to the industry standard; it is not an assessment.
Review of the task book
On completion, the registered training organisation will check the entries in the task book. A task is only considered to be complete when the task has been observed by an appropriately qualified person acting in a supervisory role.
The registered training organisation or marine safety authority may seek to validate the information contained in this book and have the right to contact the signatories to check its accuracy. It is an offence to provide false or misleading information when applying for a Certificate of Competency.
On completion, the task book will be returned to you. You should present it to a Maritime Safety Queensland regional office to support your application for a commercial marine licence. The task book number will be recorded on the application form submitted for a commercial marine licence.
