talker allows the fog lookout to work without his or her hearing being impaired by wearing sound-powered phones. As with other lookouts, the fog lookouts are in contact with the OOD through the bridge phone talker. Helmsman The helmsman is a qualified steersman who steers courses prescribed by the conning officer. The helmsman alternates with other members of the deck watch as directed by the BMOW and as approved by the conning officer (who is generally the OOD or the JOOD). The helmsman is normally assigned from the weapons/deck department. Lee Helmsman The lee helmsman who stands watch at the engine order  telegraph  on  the  bridge  rings  up  the  conning officer’s orders to the engine room, making sure all bells are  correctly  answered.  The  lee  helmsman  alternates with other members of the deck watch as directed by the BMOW and as approved by the conning officer. The lee helmsman is normally assigned from the weapons/deck department. After Steering Watch This watch, stationed in after steering, is set when positive  steering  control  must  be  maintained,  such  as during general quarters, under way replenishment, and sea  and  anchor  detail.  During  these  evolutions,  a qualified  member  from  the  navigation  department  is assigned  as  the  after  steersman  along  with  a  member from  the  engineering  department.  This  watch  is responsible  for  lining  up  and  operating  the  steering engines according to orders received from the conning officer. During normal under way steaming, this watch is not usually manned, except on board the larger types of vessels (such as CVNs or LHAs). Gangway Watch When required, the gangway watch is posted at the foot of the brow or gangway to perform such duties as directed  by  the  OOD.  These  duties  normally  include security of the brow and ceremonial duties. Security Watches and Patrols Security watches and patrols, in addition to those described elsewhere in this chapter, may be assigned at the discretion of the CO. Security watches and patrols are established to increase the physical security of the ship. Sailors assigned to security watches and patrols will  be  trained  and  qualified  by  the  department  head responsible for the areas to which specific watches and patrols  are  assigned.  Duties  of  security  watches  and patrols include but are not limited to the following: Maintaining continuous patrols above decks and below decks Checking  classified  stowage,  including  spaces containing classified equipment Being  alert  for  evidence  of  sabotage,  thievery, and fire hazards Checking security of weapons magazines Obtaining periodic sounding of designated tanks and spaces Periodically inspecting damage control closures Sounding and Security Patrol The  watch  of  the  sounding  and  security  patrol  is regular  and  continuous.  It  is  essential  that  only well-indoctrinated, experienced personnel are assigned this watch. The patrol follows an irregular route while conducting  a  continuous  inspection  of  all  spaces (except those on which a watch is posted or those spaces designated as limited or exclusion areas) to detect and prevent fire hazards, fire, flooding, theft, sabotage, or other irregularities affecting the physical security of the ship.  Soundings  and  results  of  the  inspection  will  be reported to the OOD and are logged in the ship’s deck log. Any unusual conditions are reported to the OOD immediately. Fire Watch The  purpose  of  a  shipboard  fire  watch  is  to immediately  extinguish  fires  caused  by  welding  or burning  operations.  (Burning  means  cutting  through 3-6 Student Notes: