Correct errors by drawing a single line through
the error and inserting personal sign.
Close out the page at 2359Z. Begin a new page
at 0001Z each day. This procedure is not
applicable when visual watch is not set.
Sign in when assuming the watch/duty. Sign out
when relieved of watch/duty.
Enter all traffic, including challenge and reply,
exchanging call signs, casualties to personnel
and equipment, time zone changes, day shapes,
setting or securing visual watch, and any other
events pertaining to visual communications.
Use local time to indicate watches (00-04,
16-20).
Lengthy plain language addresses denoting task
organizations may be converted to special task
organization call signs before entry in the visual
log.
Visual transmission abbreviations are as
follows:
FL—Small signal searchlight
SL—Large signal searchlight
BK—Yardarm blinkers
NFL—Infrared directional
NBK—Infrared nondirectional
SEM—Semaphore
FH—Flaghoist
MPL—Multipurpose light
Visual Log Entries
Visual log entries will include the time of
receipt/delivery and, as applicable in the case of
signals, the time the signal is executed/hauled down.
It will also show the method used, from whom the
traffic was received, to whom the traffic was
transmitted, including the originator, the action
addressee(s), the information addressee(s), and the
exempted addressee(s). Even though traffic is not
transmitted to an exempted addressee, exempted
addressee(s) must be recorded in the log. The visual
log starts at the beginning of each new day, 0001Z, and
ends at 2359Z. The first entry will be “assumed the
watch,” and the supervisor signs in. At 2359Z, the
day's log is to be closed out and the watch entries
continued on the next page. All entries except the
watch identification (for example, 00-04, 04-07) are
to be made in Greenwich mean time (GMT).
The last column in the visual log is used to record
visual numbers. This is a convenient method of
accountability. As each message is logged, it is
assigned a visual number. After a message has been
internally routed or, if required, relayed, it is finally
placed in the visual station file and its number circled
in the visual log.
No blank lines are to be left between entries in the
visual log. The log is to be kept in black or blue ink.
Errors must be corrected by drawing a single line
through the error and relogging the correct entry. The
person making the correction must initial the entry,
adjacent to the correction. The visual log must be
legible if it is to perform its function as a record.
All narrative entries must be logged under the
Text/Remarks column. Shipboard events and
evolutions recorded in other official records (for
example, ship's deck log) need not be logged.
Corresponding signals paralleling shipboard
evolutions must be entered.
Figure 8-2 is an example of a page from a visual
log. This example is not intended to cover every
situation that could arise. If there is any doubt as to
whether something should or should not be logged, log
it. Supervisors must continually monitor the visual log
to ensure that it is correct. As a general rule, the
leading Signalman should check the visual log once
every day.
Drills and Exercise Log
A separate log is maintained for recording visual
communications drills and exercises. The format for
this log is basically the same as the official log, but the
log must be clearly labeled "Visual Communications
Drill Log." There are no retention requirements for
the drill log. Signals and messages used to begin or
end drills are logged in the official log.
VISUAL STATION FILE
The visual station file contains all outgoing and
incoming messages handled visually except those
signal and service messages that do not contain the
prosign BT. It includes either the original copy of
unclassified messages or a filler for classified
messages. These messages/fillers are filed in
date-time-group order.
8-6
