UNIT 2: SHIPBOARD ORGANIZATION AND WATCHSTANDING CHAPTER 2 WATCHES GFX: 170212_DVIDS MODULE: NAVAL SKILLS UNIT 2: SHIPBOARD ORGANIZATION AND WATCHSTANDING 1 1

Introduction

“Watch” in the Navy has several meanings. A specific period of time within each 24-hour day.

“Watch” sometimes refers to the location of a person on watch.

The watch section (e.g., port or starboard, first or second)

The on watch individual

Shipboard Watches 0000 – 0400 Midwatch 0400 – 0800 Morning Watch 0800 – 1200 Forenoon Watch 1200 – 1600 Afternoon Watch 1600 – 1800 First Dog Watch 1800 – 2000 Second Dog Watch 2000 – 2400 Evening Watch

Dogwatches (Divided Watches) Either of two two-hour watches, the first from 1600 to 1800 hours, the latter from 1800 to 2000 hours: • Allows ship’s personnel time to eat the evening meal • Permits rotation of watches

Alternative Watch Schedule Used on a number of ships: Four five-hour-long watches from 0200 to 2200 A 2200 to 0200 mid-watch Facilitates morning and evening meals for watchstanders Eliminates the two early evening dogwatches

• Normally longer; eight or twelve hours long • Not as frequently stood, or as demanding

It is based on the Battle Bill and the Organization and Regulations Manual.

Topic Review

Q. What is a “watch”? Reference Study Guide Question #1A

Q. What is a “watch”? A. Watch in the Navy is a word with several meanings. It sometimes refers to the location of the person on watch (for example, the bridge watch or comm watch), or to his or her watch section (for example, port or starboard, first or second). It may also refer to the individual on watch, such as the lookout watch. Watches take precedence over all normal duties and jobs that a person must routinely do aboard ship or a shore station. Reference Study Guide Question #1A

Q. What is meant by “dogging” a watch? Reference Study Guide Question #1B

Q. What is meant by “dogging” a watch? A. Traditional shipboard watches are dogged (divided) on the evening watch (1600–1800 and 1800–2000) into two two-hour watches in order to allow watchstanders to get their evening meal and to rotate the watch so people are not standing the same watch every day. Reference Study Guide Question #1B

Q. How long does a traditional shipboard watch last? Reference Study Guide Question #2A

Q. How long does a traditional shipboard watch last? A. Traditional shipboard watches are normally four hours long, except for the two 1600–1800 and 1800–2000 dogwatches in the early evening. Reference Study Guide Question #2A

Q. How long does a typical shore station watch last? Reference Study Guide Question #2B

Q. How long does a typical shore station watch last? A. Shore station watches are normally eight or twelve hours long. They are usually less demanding and not so frequently stood. Reference Study Guide Question #2B

Shipboard Watches

Watch Section All crew members standing watch at a given time comprise a numbered watch section.

Shipboard Duty Sections - Underway CVN Shipboard Duty Sections - Underway • Small ships - usually three watch sections • Large ships - four or more watch sections

During very demanding operations, ships may go to only two underway watch sections, called port and starboard, so that roughly one-half the crew is always up on watch at any given time.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Shipboard Duty Sections - In Port Vladivostok, Russia Shipboard Duty Sections - In Port • In the U.S. – four or more watch sections • In foreign ports – three watch sections

During Routine Conditions at Sea and In-port Those not on watch: Ship’s work Drills Recreation Rest

General Quarters for Battle or Emergency All watch personnel are relieved and go to assigned battle stations.

Be On Time!

“On time” means 15 minutes early: • To allow the relief to get information and instructions • For night watches, to allow one’s eyes to adjust for night vision

Night Vision The ability of the human eye to see objects in weak light.

A change of watchstanders is reported to the watch officer.

Each department has a duty officer for each watch section.

Command Duty Officer (CDO) • Represents the CO • Provides command continuity in port • Ensures all events in plan of the day (POD) are carried out

Plan of the Day (POD) The schedule of a day’s routine and events ordered by the executive officer and published daily aboard ship or at a shore activity.

Officer of the Deck (OOD) Officer on watch in charge of the ship.

Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) A junior officer to whom the OOD may delegate duties; often used to train the JOOD for future OOD assignments and responsibilities.

Officer of the Deck (OOD) • Must have a good knowledge of the policies of the CO, XO, and CDO • Must make decisions on the safety and well-being of the ship

• Located on the bridge when the ship is underway • Located on the quarterdeck when the ship is in port • Assisted by other watchstanders

The Navy strongly encourages taking the highest possible leadership roles.

Helm A wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.

Lee Helm Controls the engines.

Underway Watches Two basic types of enlisted topside underway watches: • Deck • Navigational

Underway Watches Traditional enlisted underway watches will be described, but on newer ships outfitted with high-tech ship control and navigation systems, several of the watch assignments may be eliminated or combined.

Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch (BMOW) The OOD’s main enlisted assistant

• In charge of the topside watch • Ensures all deck watch stations are manned and the off-going watch is relieved on time • Must be a qualified helmsman

Helmsman Must be fully qualified to steer the ship

Conning Officer The individual who gives orders to the helmsman and lee helmsman

The lee helmsman is a qualified helmsman The lee helmsman is a qualified helmsman. Often the lee helm and helm watches alternate to spell each other and to keep alert.

Messenger • Delivers messages • Answers telephones • Performs other duties assigned by the OOD

Bridge Sound-Powered Telephone Talker

Bridge Sound-Powered Telephone Talker • Relays messages between the OOD and all stations on the circuit • Provides reliable and rapid shipboard communications

Almost everyone, officers and enlisted personnel, in the Navy must be able to use sound-powered telephones.

Lookouts

SKY lookouts report aircraft. SURFACE lookouts report all sightings of ships, craft, and obstructions.

Lookouts Inspect and report on ship’s navigational lights every half hour at night

LIFEBUOY AFTER and lookouts are stationed on the fantail with a lifebuoy close by. LIFEBUOY AFTER

More lookouts are posted during periods of fog or low visibility.

One lookout at each station will have a sound-powered telephone to relay sightings to the bridge.

Lifeboat Watch

Lifeboat Watch • Enables fast recovery of any person who falls overboard • Does not remain on station but must be “on call,” ready for fast action

Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW) • Maintains the quartermaster’s notebook • Assists the OOD in navigational matters

Lee Helmsman Rings up the conning officer’s orders to the engine room on the engine-order telegraph

After Steering Watch • Stationed in emergency steering station in the after part of the ship • Takes over the helm in the event of a casualty to the bridge • Has direct control of the steering gear

Quarterdeck (in port) Located on the main deck, usually at the head of the brow

Brow A flat plank or small, movable, bridge-like structure for use by persons boarding or leaving a ship at a pier.

Brow

Quarterdeck (in port) • The main in-port shipboard watch • The OOD’s watch station

Quarterdeck and Brow

Liberty Call! The ship is divided into several in-port duty sections. Personnel not in that day’s duty section are free to go on liberty after working hours.

Working Hours The hours set by the CO for working.

Enlisted Deck Watches Headed by the Petty Officer of the Watch (POOW) or the BMOW

Enlisted Deck Watches • Brow watches • Security watches and patrols • Messenger of the watch • Duty Master-at- Arms (MAA) • Side boys (as required)

Petty Officer of the Watch (POOW) • The primary enlisted assistant to the OOD in port • Supervises and instructs sentries and messengers • Calls away boats on the boat schedule

• Assembles liberty parties for inspection by the OOD • Maintains the deck log • Requires the messenger to make calls listed in the call book

Brow Watch • Sometimes posted at the foot of the brow on the pier • Maintains security of the brow • Attends to military and ceremonial duties for visiting dignitaries

Security Watches and Patrols

Security Watches and Patrols Check classified stowage and security of weapons magazine Are alert for evidence of sabotage, theft, or fire Make soundings of tanks and spaces Inspect damage control fittings Make hourly reports to the OOD

Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW) Maintains the deck log Handles absentee pennants of the CO and embarked commodore Checks anchor and aircraft warning lights

Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW) Hails boats Assists in rendering honors Takes bearings when at anchor Takes temperature and barometer readings hourly

Anchor Watch

Anchor Watch Posted when a ship is at anchor or moored to a buoy Located near the ground tackle Keeps a continuous watch on the anchor chain to check strain Talks by phone to the QMOW and the OOD Keeps alert for buoy drag if the ship is moored to a buoy

Ground Tackle (tay-cul) Equipment, as anchors, chains, or windlasses, for mooring a vessel away from a pier or other fixed moorings.

Side Boys • Render honors to arriving and departing high-ranking officers or civilians • Form a passageway on either side of the quarterdeck

Side Boys • Number 2 to 8 depending on the rank of the person honored • Salute on the first note of the boatswain’s pipe

When circumstances warrant, side boys may be required to be in other uniforms. Chiefs and officers may also serve as side boys as the occasion dictates.

Female Side Boys Enlisted women may be detailed to side boy duty, but they are still called “side boys.”

Boatswain’s Pipe A high-pitched whistle used by a boatswain for giving signals.

Duty Master-at-Arms (MAA) • A watch of the executive department • A regular member of the MAA force

Duty Master-at-Arms (MAA) • Performs duties of the sergeant of the guard (SOG) in ships without Marines • As SOG, responsible for brig sentries and orderlies

Departmental Watches All ship’s departments have duty personnel “on watch” both underway and in port, as required.

Operations/ Communications Watch

Command Information Center (CIC) or Command Direction Center (CDC)

Signal Bridge

Duty Hospital Corpsman

Engineering

Supply

Topic Review

Q. What is meant by “relieving the watch on time”? Reference Study Guide Question #3

Q. What is meant by “relieving the watch on time”? A. To relieve the watch on time means to report about fifteen minutes early so that all pertinent information and instructions can be passed on prior to actually relieving/taking over the watch. At night this also allows oncoming topside watch relievers to adjust for night vision. Reference Study Guide Question #3

Q. What are the two basic types of enlisted watches in a topside underway section? Reference Study Guide Question #4

Q. What are the two basic types of enlisted watches in a topside underway section? A. The two basic topside underway watches are the deck watches and the navigation watches. Reference Study Guide Question #4

Q. Who is the main enlisted assistant to the OOD? Reference Study Guide Question #5

Q. Who is the main enlisted assistant to the OOD? A. The main enlisted assistant to the OOD is the BMOW (Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch). Reference Study Guide Question #5

Q. What do lookouts report during their watches? Reference Study Guide Question #6A

Q. What do lookouts report during their watches? A. Lookouts report aircraft sightings and all surface sightings of ships, craft, obstructions, and so on. They report on the condition of the ship’s navigational lights every half-hour at night. Reference Study Guide Question #6A

Q. When should additional lookouts be posted? Reference Study Guide Question #6B

Q. When should additional lookouts be posted? A. Additional lookouts may be posted during periods of fog or low visibility. Reference Study Guide Question #6B

Q. What is the purpose of the lifeboat watch? Reference Study Guide Question #7A

Q. What is the purpose of the lifeboat watch? A. The lifeboat watch is a ready crew mustered for each watch so the ship can launch a boat on short notice. Reference Study Guide Question #7A

Q. What does it mean to be “on call”? Reference Study Guide Question #7B

Q. What does it mean to be “on call”? A. The watch does not have to remain on the lifeboat station. But it must be up and awake, ready for fast action. Reference Study Guide Question #7B

Q. What are the duties of the QMOW? Reference Study Guide Question #8

Q. What are the duties of the QMOW? A. The QMOW maintains the Quartermaster’s Notebook and assists the OOD in navigational matters. The QMOW is a qualified helmsman. Reference Study Guide Question #8

Q. How many duty sections is a ship’s crew normally divided into when visiting a foreign port while deployed? Reference Study Guide Question #9A

Q. How many duty sections is a ship’s crew normally divided into when visiting a foreign port while deployed? A. There are normally three in-port duty sections while a ship is deployed overseas. Reference Study Guide Question #9A

Q. How many duty sections is a ship’s crew normally divided into when in U.S. ports and naval bases? Reference Study Guide Question #9B

Q. How many duty sections is a ship’s crew normally divided into when in U.S. ports and naval bases? A. There may be from four to six duty sections while in U.S. ports and naval bases. Reference Study Guide Question #9B

Q. What name is given to the primary shipboard watch station in port? Reference Study Guide Question #10

Q. What name is given to the primary shipboard watch station in port? A. The primary watch station in port is the quarterdeck watch. The quarterdeck is located on the main deck of the ship, usually at the head of the gangway over which persons come aboard or leave the ship. Reference Study Guide Question #10

Q. Who is the primary enlisted watch assistant of the OOD in port? Reference Study Guide Question #11

Q. Who is the primary enlisted watch assistant of the OOD in port? A. The primary enlisted watch assistant of the OOD in port is the petty officer of the watch (POOW). Reference Study Guide Question #11

Q. What is the purpose of the security watch and patrols? Reference Study Guide Question #12

Q. What is the purpose of the security watches and patrols? A. These watches may be posted to increase the security of the ship. Duties include being alert for evidence of sabotage, theft, or fire; checking security of weapons magazines; making soundings of tanks and spaces; inspecting damage control fittings; and making hourly reports to the OOD. Reference Study Guide Question #12

Q. What is the purpose of side boys? Reference Study Guide Question #13

Q. What is the purpose of side boys? A. Side boys are stationed on either side of the quarterdeck to render honors to officials arriving or departing on official ship visits. Reference Study Guide Question #13

Watches Ashore

All shore stations have watches.

Watches Ashore • Shore station watches are usually 8 to 10 hours long. • Occasionally, duty personnel on watch can return to their quarters and be on call. • Shore stations usually have a CDO, OOD, and various enlisted watches.

Shore stations may have: • A duty MAA • A communications watch • On some larger stations, a shore patrol watch

Shore Patrol Personnel assigned to keep order and discipline of military personnel ashore May have police duties similar to those performed by military police

Barracks Security Watch

Barracks Security Watch • Maintained at all shore station barracks • Provides protection against fires and ensures personnel safety • Maintains order and discipline

Barracks A building or group of buildings for lodging military personnel.

All NJROTC cadets must know how to stand a barracks security watch.

• Scheduled for 1 week in the first year in the Naval Science Program • Held at various naval bases

BE A GOOD GUEST! When visiting a naval base, you are responsible for the security, cleanliness, and discipline of the barracks you occupy.

Topic Review

Q. What is the purpose of the barracks security watch? Reference Study Guide Question #14A

Q. What is the purpose of the barracks security watch? A. A barracks security watch is maintained in all barracks for protection against fire, for the safety of personnel and material, and for carrying out routines. It also keeps order and discipline. Reference Study Guide Question #14A

Q. Why should NJROTC cadets be aware of barracks watch requirements? Reference Study Guide Question #14B

Q. Why should NJROTC cadets be aware of barracks watch requirements? A. NJROTC cadets should be aware of barracks watch requirements because they need to stand such watches when at mini-boot camp and when on visits to naval bases. At such times, NJROTC units are responsible for the security, cleanliness, and discipline of the barracks they occupy. Reference Study Guide Question #14B