5-18 Environmental Protection What does environmental protection mean? It is the protecting of our planet from pollution. How is pollution caused?  It  is  caused  by  the  changes  in  chemical, physical, or biological conditions in the environment that harmfully affect the quality of human life. Pollution also affects animal and plant life and can even destroy well- developed cultures. Records of pollution date as far back as the ancient city of Troy. As early as 1273, the first smoke abatement law was passed in England. It is said that in 1306 a man was executed in London for breaking the law against burning coal. By the 1850s our country already was suffering from pollution associated with the industrial revolution. In the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal the scum was so thick in places that a person could walk on the water. Today we can no longer breathe clean air in most large cities, and we can no longer see the bottom of the harbor in most ports. However, we have brought this problem on ourselves. The Navy is very strict about pollution. Naval personnel have received disciplinary action for pumping pollutants into a harbor or river. As  the  POOW,  you  should  be  concerned  with pollution of all kinds. While on watch, take note of any vessel, civilian or Navy, including your own, that is polluting  the  harbor  or  river.  If  you  notice  anyone polluting, notify the OOD, who will, in turn, take proper action and notify the responsible personnel. Anytime polluting is noted, be sure to log all the facts, times, and actions taken. Keeping our planet healthy is the job of all of us and not just a few concerned people. Although it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent pollution, you are especially responsible while on watch. When an oil or sewage spill occurs, you must make sure the spill is cleaned up and that the immediate commander or your commanding officer is informed. This notification usually results in an investigation of how and why the spill occurred and instructions for measures to be taken to ensure it does not happen again. If  there  is  a  pollution  spill,  the  area  must  be cordoned off to contain the spill and prevent it from spreading any further. If need be, chemicals that are nonhazardous to the environment will be added to the spill  area  to  break  up  the  spill.  Often  small  craft designed for spill cleanups will aid in the cleanup. Rules of the Road The petty officer of the watch must know the rules of the road. This section will cover only what you need to know when your ship is moored to a pier or buoy or anchored in a harbor. MOORED.—When your vessel is moored to a pier or buoy, it is normally highly visible and safe from a collision with another vessel during daylight hours. However, special precautions must be taken after sunset. You will be required to make sure the anchor lights and the aircraft warning lights are turned on at sunset and turned off at sunrise. The control box for these functions is  located  on  the  bridge.  The  duty  quartermaster normally will have the proper light combinations set up on the control box. All that you have to do is turn a master switch on or off. Be sure to test all your lights 30 minutes  before  sunset  to  see  if  they  are  working properly. If not, you will have enough time to take corrective action. Remember that the lights go on at the first note of colors at sunset and off at sunrise. Red aircraft warning lights are normally located atop the mast. The anchor lights are normally located in the bow on top of the jack staff and in the stern atop the flagstaff. They shine completely around the horizon, a full 360º, and must be visible on a clear night for a distance of 3 nautical miles. Remember, all lights must be checked 30 minutes before sunset to make sure they are working properly. ANCHORED.—When your ship is at anchor, you must be extremely alert. Other ships moving about the harbor can see your ship during the day, but how do they know you are at anchor? They are alerted by an anchor ball displayed in the forward part of your ship. The ball is black in color and a minimum of 2 feet in diameter. In addition, the ensign and union jack are flown during the day. The duty Quartermaster checks to make sure your ship is anchored securely.  In  addition  to  the  duty Quartermaster, the anchor watch regularly reports the conditions, such as tension, status, and so forth, to the OOD. When your ship is at anchor in a fog, the proper fog signals must be sounded to let other ships know you are in the area. The anchor lights are left on during the day and the anchor ball is up. Extra sensors, such as radar, should be used to indicate the location of ships within the area. Lookouts should be posted to help prevent a