CIC,  engineering,  and  after  steering  (emergency) stations on the same circuit. TELEPHONE TALKERS Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you will be able to— Identify the responsibilities of telephone talkers to include telephone talking procedures. As you have learned, you’ll probably stand some form of watch aboard ship as a telephone talker. A ship at sea requires many talkers even during a peacetime cruising watch. In addition to the lookouts, there are talkers on the bridge, in firerooms, and in engine rooms, to mention only a few of the many spaces. To be a good sound-powered telephone talker, you must learn proper telephone procedures. Sound-powered telephone talkers are essential to the operation of a ship at sea because the ship must have a reliable interior communicating system. Imagine the difficulties the captain would have without means of communication with the engine room, with gunnery stations during battle, or with all the other spaces that help run the ship. GENERAL TELEPHONE TALKING PROCEDURES Here are some tips on how to be a telephone talker. Because all the power for the phones is generated by your voice, you must speak loudly and clearly if your message  is  to  get  through.  However,  do  not  shout unnecessarily. Do not run your words together; make every part of your message stand out clearly. Repeat all messages  word  for  word  to  the  intended  receiving station; if you try to paraphrase a message, its meaning may be changed. Never have gum or food in your mouth while you are using the phones. Talk from the front of your mouth, never from the corners. Remember, you must project your voice to every station on the circuit. You  gain  nothing  by  talking  too  rapidly;  a message spoken slowly, so that it is understood the first time, is better than a message spoken so rapidly that it must be repeated. During an emergency, remember that it is doubly important  to  get  the  message  through.  By  talking slowly, some of your own excitement will subside. If you are calm and sure of yourself, you will influence other talkers on the circuit to behave in the same way. Nearly everyone has a manner of speech that reveals to others what part of the country they are from. On  occasion,  you  may  have  found  it  difficult  to understand the speech of a person from a different part of the country. With this thought in mind, try to speak without local accents. CIRCUIT DISCIPLINE The  sound-powered  system  resembles  a  party line—everyone can talk and listen at once. For that reason,  strict  circuit  discipline  must  be  maintained. Otherwise, the circuit will become clogged with private conversation just when someone is trying to transmit an important message. The rules for circuit discipline are as follows: 1.  Transmit only official messages. 2.  Keep  the  button  in  the  OFF  position  except when actually transmitting. 3.  Use only standard words and phrases. Don’t use slang or profanity on the phones. Use correct nautical terms. If naval terminology is new and unfamiliar to you, make it your business to learn the correct terms. You, as a phone talker, are a very important link in the  interior  communication  chain;  that  chain  is  no stronger than its weakest link. Unauthorized talking means there are at least two weak links in the chain. Be efficient. If someone else on your circuit persists in useless talking, remind the person that the line must be kept clear at all times. Circuit discipline also means you must never show impatience, anger, or excitement. You must talk slowly, clearly,  and  precisely.  Circuit  discipline  means self-discipline. 4-6 Student Notes: