Ships that pass through the MERZONE will be given a route to follow through the zone. Only those ships whose passage must take them into the zone will be controlled this way, and then only while actually within the boundaries of the zone. VNCS is, as its name states, voluntary throughout and can only be imposed with the consent of the shipowner, who may withdraw his or her ship from Navy control at any time. NAVAL CONTROL OF SHIPPING IN WAR At the declaration of war or at the point when it is decided to place merchant shipping on a war footing, all oceangoing merchant ships will be committed to employment by the CDSORG for the prosecution of war and survival of Allied Nations. This will involve the pooling of ocean shipping resources and compulsory acceptance by masters of the control of movement by the Allied NCSORG. Command Structure The command structure for NCS will be similar to that specified for periods of tension. The CDSORG, for the employment of merchant ships, will be staffed by officials drawn from peacetime government shipping agencies and shipping companies. Coastal vessels Ships below 1600 GRT and those larger vessels declared solely to coastal operation will not be pooled, but will remain under national control throughout the war. Control of Shipping Whether or not ships are sailed in convoy, there will be positive control of merchant ship movements of all types. The level of control will vary according to the tactical situation at the place and time, but in its very lowest form will require that each merchant ship 1. obtain permission to sail, and 2. be given a route to follow. COMMAND AND RESPONSIBILITIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify and explain the duties of the officer in tactical command (OTC), convoy commodore, vice commodore, and the rear commodore. The safe passage of a convoy depends on the organization of the convoy before sailing, the management and control of the convoy at sea, and the skillful handling of each ship while in convoy. Convoy operations must be understood by every master and watchkeeping officer if each ship is to play her individual part. OFFICER IN TACTICAL COMMAND (OTC) The OTC is the senior naval officer present or the officer to whom command has been delegated. The OTC is responsible for the defense of the convoy and the enforcement of such instructions and orders as are related to the defense of the convoy. CONVOY COMMODORE The convoy commodore is the officer, naval or merchant, designated by naval authority to command the convoy. The convoy commodore is subject to orders of the OTC. In the absence of an escort, he/she takes entire command. The convoy commodore is responsible for the internal operations of the convoy. This responsibility includes the assignment of stations to ships in the convoy after the convoy leaves the harbor, the issue of instructions and regulations for the convoy, the safe navigation of the convoy as a whole, and for the communication organization of the convoy within the policy of the OTC. The convoy commodore should consult with OTC, whose navigational facilities are normally superior, regarding safe navigation, particularly in channels and mineable waters. Under normal conditions, the convoy commodore will control the convoy tactically, following standard instructions for convoys and such additional instructions as may be received from competent authority. He/she is responsible for the readiness for action and conduct in action of the merchant ships under his/her command. If the convoy commodore is incapacitated or forced to relinquish command of the convoy, his/her duties are assumed by the vice commodore. After the vice commodore, the rear commodore takes over. When required to make good a specified course or to follow a specified route, the commodore must be particularly careful that allowance is made for wind and tide. The commodore must also ensure that the guide of the convoy steers an accurate course and that the remaining ships maintain their ordered stations. 7-3