WATCH STANDERS

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) - Requirement for military advancement
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sea and is designated and empowered by the captain to advise, supervise, and direct the officer of the deck (OOD) in matters concerning the general operation and safety of the ship or station. Officer of The Deck (OOD) The officer of the deck (OOD) is in charge of the ship and is responsible to the commanding officer (CO) for the safe and proper operation of the ship or station. T h a t i n c l u d e s n av i g a t i o n , s h i p h a n d l i n g , communications, routine tests and inspections, reports, supervision of the watch, and carrying out the plan of the day (POD). Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) The junior officer of the deck (JOOD) is the principal assistant to the OOD. Anyone making routine reports to the OOD normally makes them through the JOOD or the JOOW. Junior Officer of the Watch (JOOW) The junior officer of the watch (JOOW), when assigned, is in training for qualification as the OOD. Combat Information Center (CIC) Watch Officer The combat information center (CIC) watch officer supervises the operation of the CIC, which reports, tracks, and evaluates air, surface, and submarine contacts. WATCH STANDERS Senior enlisted watch standers also have a number of important assignments. While there are scores of other enlisted watch assignments, those described in the following sections are the most important and the most responsible. The majority of other enlisted watch standers report to, or through, watch officers. Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW) The quartermaster of the watch (QMOW) is an enlisted assistant to the OOD while under way (and in-port on certain classes of ships). The QMOW assists the OOD in navigational matters and maintains the ship’s deck log. Additional duties include reporting and recording weather changes and executing required ship’s navigational lighting changes. The QMOW, who must be a qualified helmsman, supervises the helmsman if senior to the BMOW. Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch (BMOW) The boatswain’s mate of the watch (BMOW) is an enlisted assistant to the OOD during under way watches. The BMOW must see that all deck watch stations are manned with qualified personnel and all watch standers in previous watch sections are relieved. Although the section leader and the division petty officer have the duty of instructing the personnel they send on watch, the BMOW must verify that every person in the watch has been properly instructed and trained. A BMOW must be a qualified helmsman and supervises the helmsman if senior to the QMOW. Lookouts, Sky and Surface The lookout watch mans assigned lookout stations and performs duties as prescribed in the ship’s lookout instructions. Lookouts should be rotated at least hourly. They are under the direct supervision of the OOD. Lookouts are trained in their duties by the CIC officer. The posting and training of lookouts will, as a minimum, conform to the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Messenger of the Watch (MOW) The messenger of the watch stands the watch on the bridge (under way) and the quarterdeck (in-port). The MOW delivers messages, answers telephones, and carries out such duties as the OOD may direct. Messengers need to be familiar with various departments of the ship and ship’s company. The underway messenger is normally assigned from the weapons/deck department. Fog Lookouts Fog lookouts are required during fog or reduced visibility. The watch is stood in those locations where 3-5 Student Notes:

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