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. That
includes navigation, ship handling, 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
approaching ships can best be seen or heard (normally
in the bows). The fog lookouts stand a vigilant watch to
detect, either by hearing fog signals or actually sighting,
approaching ships or craft. Posting and training of fog
lookouts will, as a minimum, meet the requirements of
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea. This watch will consist of two personnel—one
phone talker and one lookout. The addition of the phone
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