5-3     Communicating with other departments in the ship Activating alarms You may be familiar with some of this equipment. Only the equipment that is important to the POOW will be described. Internal Communications At times during your POOW duties, you will be required to communicate with personnel in various parts of your ship. You should have a working knowledge of the   mass   communication   (MC)   systems—sound- powered telephones, voice tubes, pneumatic tubes, and ship's service telephones. For more information on internal  communication  equipment,  refer  to  Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 12018. Logs, Records, and Reports As you stand petty officer of the watch, you will be required to maintain various logs, records, and reports. If your ship is in port, you may have to maintain a weather log. The equipment you will use to take weather readings will be covered later in this chapter. In this section you will be looking at the ship's deck log and also at several other logs, records, and reports. SHIP’S    DECK    LOG.—Probably   the   most important log you will be maintaining is the ship's deck log. The basic requirements for maintaining the ship's deck log are contained in U.S. Navy Regulations and Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy. A more detailed explanation can be found in OPNAVINST 3100.7. The ship's deck log is a complete daily record, by watches, of every circumstance and occurrence of importance or interest about the crew and the operation and safety of the ship. A ship's deck log has both historical importance and legal standing.  It  may  be  used  at  times  in  naval, admiralty, and civil courts. In an incident involving the ship, the log may be the only available evidence upon which to base a legal decision. At sea the quartermaster of  the  watch  keeps  the  ship’s  deck  log.  In  port, chronological entries are made, but these entries are made by the POOW. Entries in the ship's deck log should be handwritten with a black ballpoint pen or typewritten. Entries must be   neat   and   legible.   Use   only   standard   Navy phraseology. Because the log may be used as evidence in legal proceeding, erasures are not permitted. If you make a mistake, draw a single line through the original entry (so that it remains legible), insert the correct entry, and place your initials in the left margin. The log is signed at the end of each watch by the OOD. The name of the officer of the deck also must be printed beneath the signature.  Facsimile  signatures  are  not  acceptable. Figure 5-1 is an example of a deck log sheet. In keeping the log, remember two important points: (1) All entries must be clear, concise, and accurate; and (2) every entry must be preceded by the time of its occurrence or when the information becomes known. In some instances, the OOD will tell you what to note and when; but normally you are expected to make proper, standard entries on your own without being told. If you are in doubt as to whether or not an entry should be made, check with the OOD. The overall responsibility for the deck log belongs to the OOD. OODs must sign the deck log at the end of their watch to show relief of the watch and validity of entries. The following are a few of the entries that are always recorded: 1. Convening of courts-martial or fact-finding bodies 2. Inspections held, including administrative, material,    personnel,    lower    deck,    and magazine inspections 3. Injuries, accidents, and casualties 4. Official visits 5. Salutes fired and flags displayed 6. Arrivals and departures of the commanding officer and executive officer and, if on board, flag officers and civil officials 7. Drills held 8. Observance of sunrise and sunset