ASSISTANT BOAT GROUP COMMANDER (ABGC) The ABGC embarks in an LCPL displaying the WHISKEY flag over the beach flag and reports to the BGC. The ABGC is responsible for the following: Assuming BGC duties in an emergency Assisting in organizing waves into proper position in the rendezvous area Assisting in dispatching waves from the rendezvous area to arrive at the LOD on time Checking for stragglers or malfunctioning/ damaged assault craft in later waves Following the last scheduled wave to the surf zone Conducting landing craft and amphibious vehicle salvage operations Upon departure of the last scheduled wave from the rendezvous area, the ABGC becomes the senior salvage officer afloat and reports to the beachmaster for duty. BOAT WAVE COMMANDER (BWC) The BWC embarks in the number one displacement landing craft and displays the beach flag over the wave number numerical flag. The BWC communicates with the BGC, ABGC, and PCS and is responsible for the following: Forming the wave into proper organization for landing Maintaining boat discipline in the wave Maintaining proper boat and wave intervals Arriving at the LOD and beach on time WAVE GUIDE OFFICER/ASSISTANT WAVE GUIDE OFFICER A wave guide officer and an assistant wave guide officer are assigned to each wave of amphibious vehicles. They are normally provided by the ship in which the wave is embarked. Each officer embarks in an LCPL that is equipped for communication the same as the BWC's craft. The wave guide officer's duties are as follows: Forming up the amphibious vehicles and guiding them to position seaward of the LOD line. Reporting to the PCS, giving details affecting the readiness of his/her wave. Taking station ahead of the wave, with his/her assistant astern of the wave, and leading the wave to the LOD and across on signal from the PCS. Ensuring that the wave is maintaining proper position in the boat lane and reaches the proper beach on time. (This officer is assisted by directions from the PCS.) Guiding the wave to the first line of breakers. Here the wave guide boats take station in the return lane if the amphibious assault vehicles are to return seaward after landing, and guide returning vehicles to the designated control ship or boat haven. If the vehicles do not return seaward, the guide boats normally report to the PCS. STANDARD IDENTIFICATION FLAGS, LIGHTS, MARKERS, AND SIGNALS LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the standard identification flags, lights, markers, and signals used in ship-to-shore movement. A variety of standard identification flags, lights, and markers are used in the ship-to-shore movement (refer to NWP 22-3, appendix C). In addition, a number of special markers and signals are used, as described in later paragraphs of this chapter. BEACH MARKING FLAGS AND PANELS During the planning stage of an amphibious assault, beach areas are divided into sections and assigned colors for identification purposes. Beach markers are approximately the size of a No. 4 flag, and are with the normal beach colors of red, yellow, green, or blue. Fluorescent cloth is used in beach flags and markers wherever possible for greater ease in identification under all weather conditions. BEACH FLAGS Beach flags (fig. 12-8) are flown from designated boats and ships; the color and design of the flag corresponds to the beach assignment. When not otherwise specified, the size of flags flown from boats will be a No. 8 signal flag or larger. Fluorescent cloth 12-10