Page 155 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

SHIPBOARD O]{GANIZATION AND WATCH STA N ])[NG 161

the helm and lee helm are in the same console, and both are oper- over the helm in the evellt of a casualty to the bridge. He or she has
ated by the same watchstander. direct control of the steering gear. Usually the 000 directs actual
Messenger. The messenger stands watch on the bridge and shift of steering control to the after station several times each da),.
delivers messages, answers telephones, ,1I1d carries out other duties This guarantees that all gear is working correctly and keeps watch-
assigned by the OOD. standers alert.
Bridge sound-powered telephone talkers. A number of bridge
sound-powered telephone circuits must always be operating when In-Port Watches
the ship is under way. Talkers relay messages O\'el' these circuits
The in-port shipboard watch is similar in some WilyS to the
between the OOD and all stations on the circuit. It is ver), impor-
underway watch, but there are important differences. In the first
tant that all stations "get the word" about all important events tak-
place, the primilr)' watch station is shifted from the bridge to the
ing place during the watch.
quarterdeck. The qUilrterdeck is located on the main deck of the
lookouts. Lookouts stationed on the ship's superstructure
ship, uSllaU}' at the head of the brow (access) through which persons
report aircraft sightings and all surface sightings of ships, craft,
bo,mi or leave the ship. The OOD stands watch on the quarterdeck.
obstructions. and so on. They report on the condition of the ship's
Another major difference between watches in port and lInder
navigational lights every half-hour at night. The after lookout is
way is that because much of the ship's equipment is shut down
stationed on the lim tail with a lifebuoy close at hand in the event of
(secured) while the ship is in port, not as lllallY duties and watch-
a man overboard. Additional lookouts may be posted during peri-
standel's are required. The ship's company is therefore divided into
ods of fog or low visibility. Each lookout will have a sound-pow-
several rotating ill-port nlft)' sectiollS, normally three while deployed
ered telephone set to relay all sightings to the bridge.
overseas, and from four to six while in U.S. ports and naval bases.
lifeboat watch. Lifeboat watches enilble fast recovery of allY
Each person in a duty section must remain on board throughout
person ill the wilter. Ships conducting air operations, on plane
the twenty-four-hour period his or her section is on duty. Those
guard detail behind <1n aircraft carrier, or engaged in other poten-
personnel not in that day's duty section are free to go on liberty
tially hazardous operations like underway replenishment, Illuster il
.lfter working hours and on weekends. Each day's watchstanders
reild)' lifeboat crew for each watch, so the ship can launch a lifeboat
are drawn from that day's duty section.
on short notice. The watch llsually does not have to remain on the
The enlisted in port deck watch section is gel1emlly headed
lifeboat station. But it must be on call, lip and awake and ready for
b)' the pett), officer of the watch (Pom·V). This is a senior petty
fast .lCtion.
officer qualified to lead the enlisted watch. The rest of the watch
Quartermasler of Ihe watch (QMOW). The QMOW maintains
section consists of the brow watch, security watches and patrols,
the Qllartermaster's Notebook, which records among other things
messenger, duty 1\'[I\I\S, and side boys as required. These will all be
all orders to the helm or lee helm, and assists the 000 in naviga-
described below.
tional matters. The QJ'dO\·\, is a qualified helmsman.
Petty officer of the watch (POOW). The POOW is the OOD's pri-
After steering. This watch is stationed in an emergency steer-
mary enlisted assistant in-port. He or she supervises and instructs
ing station in the after part of the ship. This person is able to take
sentries and messengers and carries out the daily routine and
orders as the 000 directs. 'Vhen neither the OOD nor any junior
officer of the watch (JOO\V) is near the brow, the POO\V returns
salutes of those leaving and <llTiving. The POO\V calls away
boats in accordance with the boat schedule, calls away evolutions
scheduled in the plan of the day, and assembles liberty parties tor
inspection b)' the OOD. If a QMOW (see below) is not assigned,
the POO\'" maintains the deck log and requires the messenger to
make calls listed in the call book.
Brow watch. A brow watch is sometimes posted at the foot of
the brow on the pier. This person maint.lins security of the brow
and will attend to military and ceremonial duties for visiting dig-
nitaries.
Security watches and watrols. These watches may be posted to
increase the security of the ship. Duties include being alert for evi-
dence of sabotage, theft, or fire; checking security of weapons mag-
A quartermaster plots course changes while standing bridge \.',atch i:lzines; mi:lking soundings of tanks and spaces; inspecting damage
aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). (Nardellto
Gervaciol control fittings; ilnd making hourly reports to the OOD.