NSCC SEAMAN MODULE ONE WATCHES

1. NSCC SEAMAN MODULE ONEWATCHES By ENS MATTHEW LANDRY, NSCC USS JOSEPH P KENNEDY, JR (DD 850) DIVISION FOR USE WITH NAVEDTRA 14067

2. Enabling Objectives • Identify types of watches aboard ship • Identify readiness conditions aboard ship • Explain duties and watches of a messenger • Describe the duties of underway bridge team members

3. 1. Watches • When assigned to a watch, you are responsible for proper performance of all duties • Remain alert • Be prepared for emergency • Require all subordinates to be attentive • Inform the Officer of the Deck (OOD), Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch (BMOW) or the petty officer of the watch (POOW) of matters about the watch

4. Watches, ctd. • You may decline to relieve the watch • Only if you feel it is justified • Report this to the OOD • Do not leave your post until relieved or secured by proper authority

5. Types of Watches • Designed to keep the ship operational 24 hours a day • Most watches are 4 hours long 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 • Dog watches permit rotation of watches, and relief of personnel to eat the evening meal

6. Duties of a Watchstander • Report to watch 30 minutes before it begins • You can receive information and/or instructions from the person on watch • For night lookouts, this allows the oncoming person to adjust to night vision • “I AM READY TO RELIEVE YOU.” • The person then passes on any information or instructions • Reports to the OOD, asking permission to be relieved

7. 2. Conditions of Readiness • Six conditions of readiness govern the type of watch aboard ship

8. 3. Duties of a Messenger • Most messenger duties are as messenger to the OOD • You must exactly know: • Where to go • What to say • Repeat the message exactly • Carry messages quickly and directly • Messages for the captain or admiral should be delivered to his/her orderly, if assigned • Report delays and reasons for delay, to the OOD

9. General Rules for a Messenger • Be in the prescribed uniform of the day at all times. • Be attentive to all calls • Deliver messages directly and quickly. Return at once to the sender and report the delivery of the message • If unable to deliver a message, report this fact at once to the sender • If you are sent to an officer's or chief petty officer's room, knock. Do not enter until you are told to do so

10. General Rules for a Messenger • Before going to meals or to the head, obtain permission from the petty officer of the watch • Unseamanlike conduct, skylarking, or other such behavior is never permitted • Remain covered in officer country. Salute the officer to whom a message is addressed • Uncover before entering the wardroom or chiefs mess unless you are on watch and wearing the duty belt • Uncover if you enter any area where a meal is in process, even if you are wearing the duty belt

11. In-Port Watches • Messenger of the Watch • Underway: Stationed on the bridge • In port: Stationed on the quarterdeck

12. Telephone Procedures • Answer the phone quickly • Speak immediately to the person calling • Identify your command • Identify yourself • Identify your position • Inform the person that the line is UNSECURED • Eliminates uncertainty • Do not keep other conversations during a phone call • Discourteous • Information heard this way could be damaging to national security

13. Side Boys • Stand watch from 0800 to sunset except mealtime and general drills • Wear a clean dress uniform of the day and keep neat in appearance • Keep close to the quarterdeck at all times (to hear side boy’s call • Follow proper procedure

14. Security Watches • May be assigned at the discretion of the CO • Keep OOD informed by hourly reports • Maintain continuous patrols above and below decks • Check classified stowage • Be alert for evidence of sabotage, theft and hazard • Check security of weapons magazines • Inspect damage control closures • Check disbursing office and spaces containing public funds • Check ship’s store and storerooms

15. 4. Shipboard Underway Watches • Personnel assigned to watch-standing duties are entrusted with the safety and proper operation of the ship • Watchstanders who fail to understand responsibility have caused collision, grounding and loss of ship • Watchstanders who DO understand responsibility have saved serious damage and loss of life

16. OFFICER OF THE DECK (OOD) • Designated by the CO to be in charge of the ship • Reports directly to the CO for safe navigation and general operation • Reports to XO for ship’s routine • Reports to the Navigator on sighting landmarks and course/speed changes

17. JUNIOR OFFICER OF THE DECK (JOOD) AND CONNING OFFICER • Principal assistant to the OOD • Stands watch in the pilothouse • May be stationed in the open bridge during complex maneuvers

18. Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch (BMOW) • Assist the OOD in carrying out the ship’s routine • Supervises the watch team • Ensures all deck watch stations are manned • All previous watches are relieved • Oncoming watch is in proper uniform • Stands watch on the bridge

19. Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW) • Reports to the OOD • Changes in weather • Temperature and barometer readings • Must be qualified helmsman • Assists OOD in navigation • Enters data in ship’s log • Executes sunrise/sunset procedures

20. Helmsman • Must complete personnel qualification standards (PQS) for helmsman and be qualified by the Navigator • Repeat orders word-for-word • Report when you have carried out an order

21. Lee Helmsman • Qualified stand-by who regularly relieves the helmsman • Stands watch at the Engine Order Telegraph (EOT) • Rings up Conning Officer’s orders to the engine room

22. Other Underway Watches • Fog Watch • Stationed in fog or reduced visibility • Stood in locations where approaching ships can be best seen or heard (forecastle all the way forward) • Lifeboat Watch • Lookout/Sound-powered phone talker watch • Relieved hourly • Trained by the CIC officer, supervised by the OOD

23. Questions?