WACE Marine Maritime Studies ATAR study plan

Define the physical and chemical parameters of marine environments (salinity, temperature, density, light, dissolved oxygen) and explain how each shapes habitat distribution

Classify the major marine ecosystem types along the Western Australian coast and relate each to its dominant organisms and physical conditions

Explain energy flow and nutrient cycling through marine food webs, including the roles of producers, consumers and decomposers

Describe at least four human pressures on marine ecosystems and trace their direct ecological consequences

Interpret sustainability principles and evaluate them against real fisheries and coastal-management cases

Compare management tools such as marine protected areas, quotas, seasonal closures and bag limits by purpose and limitation

Analyse a local environmental issue and propose evidence-based mitigation measures with trade-offs stated

Explain the concept of carrying capacity and apply it to a recreational or commercial harvesting scenario

Convert between compass bearings, true bearings and magnetic bearings using variation and deviation

Calculate speed, distance and time and solve multi-leg passage problems

Plot a multi-leg coastal passage on a chart extract and label course, distance and estimated time of arrival for each leg

Interpret weather forecasts and identify the synoptic features that affect southern Western Australian waters

Apply the rules for determining position by bearing and distance from charted features

Describe tidal causes and predict high and low water behaviour from a tide table

Explain the effects of wind, current, leeway and set-and-drift on a vessel's actual track

Demonstrate correct use of navigational aids, leading marks and buoyage when entering a port

Outline the structure of a passage plan from berth to berth, including contingency and abort points

Define displacement, deadweight, lightship and gross tonnage and distinguish between them

Apply Archimedes' principle to calculate reserve buoyancy and explain free surface effect

Explain how hull form, beam and centre of gravity influence transverse stability and the righting lever

Describe the purpose and construction of transverse and longitudinal framing, bulkheads and watertight subdivision

Identify the causes of capsize and list design and operational measures that reduce the risk

Explain the operating cycle of a four-stroke marine diesel engine and the function of each major component

Describe the cooling, lubrication, fuel and exhaust systems and state the consequence of failure in each

Compare inboard diesel, outboard petrol and electric propulsion on efficiency, safety and maintenance

Explain basic DC electrical circuits, battery types, charging sources and isolation/fault protection on board

Outline scheduled maintenance tasks and the checks performed before, during and after a voyage

Identify statutory and personal safety equipment required for a vessel by size and operating area, and state its stowage and servicing requirements

Explain the sequence of actions for man overboard, fire, flooding and abandonment

Describe the correct use of lifejackets, liferafts, flares, EPIRBs and distress communication methods

Apply the collision regulations to give-way and stand-on situations, lights and shapes

Outline the responsibilities of the skipper and the reporting obligations for marine incidents

Map the structure of the maritime industry, including ports, shipping, fishing, tourism and defence, and identify the training pathways into each

Explain the cost drivers affecting vessel operations, including fuel, crew, maintenance, insurance and port charges

Describe the regulatory framework governing commercial and recreational vessels in Australia

Synthesise sustainability and regulatory content by evaluating how a commercial operator balances compliance, cost and environmental impact

Consolidate all six domains by completing a timed mixed-topic review and correcting every error made