Watch
Standing
A ship
operates 24/7 and some personnel stand watches on the Bridge,
Engineering, Radio, Combat Information Center and other spaces
in addition to their regular ships work.
Watches are usually 4 hours long. To provide watch
rotation, sometimes the Dog Watch is split
| Mid Watch - |
Midnight to 4 AM
(0000 - 0400) |
Morning Watch -
|
4 AM to 8 AM
(0400 - 0800) |
Forenoon Watch -
|
8 AM to
Noon (0800 - 1200) |
Afternoon Watch -
|
Noon to 4 PM
(1200 - 1600) |
First Dog Watch -
|
4 PM to 6 PM
(1600 - 1800) |
Second Dog Watch -
|
6 PM to 8 PM
(1800 - 2000) |
First Watch -
|
8 PM to Midnight
(2000 - 0000) |
Bridge Officers
OOD
Nothing happens on a ship without permission of the OOD (Officer of the Deck). During
his watch, he is in charge of every function of the ship.
Basically, his job is to carry out the Captains orders and he
oversees the running of the ship for the captain.
JOOD
The JOOD (Junior
Officer of the Deck) is an under
instruction Jr officer and is specifically charged with the actual
driving of the ship under the direction of the OOD.
Conning Officer
The Conning Officer is the only person allowed to give orders to
the helmsman. Under normal conditions the JOOD is also the
Conning Officer, but at other times a specific Conning Officer may
be assigned. For the ship's safety the OOD or Captain may
"assume the Conn" and any time.
Helm Safety Officer
During
restricted maneuvering (entering, leaving port, underway
replenishment, etc) a Helm Safety Officer is posted behind the
helmsman.
This is usually a Jr. Officer working on his OOD
qualifications. He is a second set of eyes. His job is
to listen to the helm and engine orders and insure that the
helmsman and lee helmsman carry them out correctly.
Enlisted
Bridge Personnel
Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW)
The QMOW is the senior bridge enlisted watch stander.
Maintains the ships navigation plot. Maintains the general
deck log and bridge-to-bridge radio logs. Performs local
weather observations, maintains weather logs and generates weather
messages. Provides advice to the OOD concerning issues of
navigation and rules of the road. A QMOW is qualified in every
enlisted bridge watch station.
Boatswain (Bo's'n) Mate of the Watch
(BMOW)
Organizes and oversees the bridge watch standers. Using his
Boatswain's Pipe, passes information throughout the ship.
Helmsman
Actually steers the ship using compass and gyro heading, taking
orders from the Conning Officer. During normal steaming,
this is a deck seaman. During times of restricted
maneuvering it is a qualified Master Helmsman.
Lee Helmsman
This person operates the Engine Order Telegraph, taking orders from
the conning officer. He maintains communications to Main Control
for engine and shaft RPM orders. During normal
steaming, this is a deck seaman. During times of restricted
maneuvering it is a qualified Master Helmsman.
Master Helmsman
This is a specially qualified helmsman. (Usually a Quartermaster)
He is is fully qualified on Helm, Lee Helm and After Steering and
is able to steer within 1/2 degree no matter what the sea state or
situation especially during Restricted Maneuvering.
(Replenishment, Special Sea Detail, etc.)
In-port Quarterdeck Watch
A ship operates 24/7 even when in port.
A duty section represents a cross section of the crew and in an
emergency can get the ship underway.
Command
Duty Officer
On his day of duty is the senior Officer of the Duty Section and
represents the Commanding Officer in his absence.
OOD
As underway, nothing happens on a ship without permission of
the OOD (Officer
of the Deck).
In-port the watch is shifted to the quarterdeck where the OOD
over sees security and controls who comes aboard a ship.
Usually the in-port OOD is an E-7 or above, however fully
qualified E-6 or E-5 may also stand the watch.
POOW
Usually an E-4 or E-5, the Petty Officer of
the Watch provides security on the quarterdeck and is
armed with a side arm. He is also responsible for
keeping the deck log.
MOOW
Usually an E-3 and below, the Messenger of the
Watch is like the name says - He answers phone, runs errands
for the OOD and performs "Wake Ups" as directed.