If  they  are  not  properly  trained,  it  will  reflect negatively on all concerned. Special Evolutions Special evolutions involve many out of the normal routine  events  that  may  occur  aboard  ship.  The following are some of these special evolutions:    Weapons handling    Hazards   of   electromagnetic   radiation   to ordnance (HERO) restrictions    Diving operations    Man aloft    Refueling and defueling    Working over the side When you are standing POOW duties, you will be responsible   for   knowing   the   flags   and   pennants associated with each of the special evolutions. You also should  be  aware  of  any  special  rules  and  regulations that pertain to each event. Details  concerning  each  of  the  evolutions  listed, and others, can be found in the local SOPA regulations. Weather To  seafarers  the  state  of  the  weather  is  of  greater importance   than   it   is   to   most   people   ashore.   The elements affect us all at one time or another. They can be  very  pleasant  or  they  can  be  devastating  for  all concerned.   As   the   POOW,   you   will   have   to   know something   about   weather.   Accurate   weather forecasting  may  not  be  as  vital  today  as  it  was  in  the days  of  sailing  ships.  However,  situations  still  arise when  the  safety  of  the  ship  and  the  lives  of  the  crew depend upon the accurate reporting of and reacting to an approaching storm. In  addition  to  helping  you  learn  about  the  heavy weather   bill,   this   section   will   present   some   of   the POOW responsibilities concerning weather. HEAVY WEATHER BILL.—There is no weather bill  to  follow  if  the  weather  is  nonthreatening.  As  the POOW, you may be required to keep the weather log at the  quarterdeck  area.  If  you  notice  that  the  barometer has fallen 0.04 inch or more in 1 hour, notify the OOD, as  this  is  the  first  indication  of  an  approaching  storm. Most  of  our  weather  information  today  comes  from local sources, and they tell us of approaching storms. The  heavy  weather  bill  will  be  placed  in  effect during  periods  of  actual  or  forecasted  high  wind  and seas,  hurricanes,  typhoons,  tidal  waves,  and  so  forth. To be effective, you must take the steps contained in the bill   before   heavy   weather   commences.   You   will probably  be  called  upon  to  help  the  OOD  implement the heavy weather bill. You  may  be  assisting  the  OOD  with  some  of  the following responsibilities: Keeping  informed  of  the  weather  condition  in effect  and  ensuring  that  proper  preparations  are  being taken Stationing personnel to tend lines as appropriate Requesting   tugs   to   clear   any   ships   from alongside Ensuring   that   all   service   lines   not   actually required are removed from the ship Keeping   the   captain,   executive   officer,   and command   duty   officer   informed   of   the   status   of preparations to get under way or cope with the storm if the ship is to remain in port If   expecting   a   tidal   wave   (tsunami),   having additional   mooring   lines   run   out   making   sure considerable  slack  is  left  in  regular  mooring  lines;  if necessary, having fenders placed between the ship and the pier More  information  concerning  the  heavy  weather bill   can   be   found   in   Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy. 8-15 Q8. Which of the following activities is NOT considered a special evolution? 1. Weapons handling 2. Refueling 3. Diving operations 4. Mess operations Q9. Side boys are NOT paraded during which of the following times? 1. Between sunset and 0800 2. Meal hours 3. General drills 4. All of the above REVIEW QUESTIONS