RESPONSIBILITIES
All members of the ship’s company should
know their damage control responsibilities and
realize the importance of damage control. The
importance of efficient damage control cannot be
overemphasized. Damage control readiness can
only be achieved by a firm program stimulated
by effective and dynamic leadership. This program
should be executed by enthusiastic, well-trained,
and determined officers and crew from all
departments on board. While no area can be
fully covered, the basic responsibilities of key
individuals in the damage control organization are
stated in the following paragraphs.
Commanding Officer
Chapter 8, U.S. Navy Regulations,
the various broad responsibilities of
manding officer (CO). For example,
must “maintain his or her command
of maximum effectiveness for war
delineates
the com-
he or she
in a state
or other
service . . . . Immediately after a battle or action,
repair damages so far as possible, [and] exert every
effort to prepare the command for further
service . . . .”
To carry out this charge, the commanding
officer ensures the command is well trained and
continually exercised in all aspects of damage
control. The commanding officer should be fully
aware of all of the ship’s weaknesses, including
the adequacy and operability of all damage
control equipment.
Executive Officer
The executive officer (XO) keeps the command
advised of the status of the ship’s damage control
readiness. The executive officer carries out the re-
quirements of command damage control training,
including the ship’s readiness to combat all
casualties and damage caused by hostile acts or
other occurrences.
Officer of the Deck
The officer of the deck (OOD) is the senior
member of the underway watch team and is the
primary assistant to the commanding officer on
the bridge. The OOD should be intimately
familiar with the ship, its material condition, and
established procedures for emergencies. The OOD
should know and understand the correct course
of action, or options, for various damage control
situations. The OOD should be able to analyze
a situation quickly and take prompt, positive,
and correct counteraction. The OOD’s ability to
react properly and promptly will be directly
proportional to his or her knowledge of the ship,
damage control procedures, equipment available,
and training received.
Division Officer
The division officer is responsible for taking
all practical preliminary measures before damage
occurs, such as maintenance of watertight and air-
tight integrity, removal of fire hazards, and
upkeep of emergency equipment. Division officers
ensure that all equipment, closures, and markings
under their cognizance are kept in the best possible
condition. This is done by periodic inspections,
adherence to planned maintenance system (PMS)
checks by division damage control petty officers
(DDCPOs), and training of personnel within the
division.
Damage Control Petty Officer
A qualified senior petty officer in each division
is designated as damage control petty officer
(DCPO). Section leaders of each section are
designated as duty DCPOs outside of normal
working hours in port; they also perform the
duties of the DCPO at some time during their tour
of duty. Division officers notify the fire marshal
and the damage control assistant (DCA) of DCPO
and duty DCPO assignments and of any changes
to these assignments. DCPOs should have received
formal training and be qualified before assign-
ment.
DCPOs normally serve for a period of 6
months. They check in and out with the fire
marshal and DCA upon being assigned to or
released from such duties.
Duties and Responsibilities of the DCPO
The DCPO and duty DCPOs (duty section
leaders) have the following duties and
responsibilities:
Being acquainted with all phases of the ship’s
damage control, fire-fighting, and defense pro-
cedures
Assisting in the instruction of division person-
nel in damage control, fire-fighting, and chemical,
biological, and radiological (CBR) defense pro-
cedures
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