This section discusses the duties and organization of control personnel and the procedures for coordinating the various ships for an amphibious operation. CENTRAL CONTROL OFFICER (CCO) The CCO is designated by the CATF for overall coordination of the waterborne assault. This officer is embarked on the control ship, and his/her responsibilities include the following: Planning and supervising the waterborne ship-to-ship movement Organizing the Navy control group to support the ATF landing plan Maintaining liaison with the tactical air officer (TAO) Maintaining liaison with the tactical logistics (TACLOG) group ASSISTANT CENTRAL CONTROL OFFICER (ACCO) An ACCO may be designated if the scope of the operation requires it. He/she embarks in an appropriate ship or craft and coordinates, as necessary, the movement of landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and landing ships in his/her designated area. PRIMARY CONTROL OFFICER (PCO) A PCO is designated for each colored beach and is responsible for the following: Providing detailed plans, called PCO instructions, to conduct the ship-to-shore movement for amphibious assaults or withdrawals across a colored beach Maintaining current location and status of all ships, landing craft, and boats assigned to conduct the landing on the assigned beach Monitoring surf conditions and weather predictions and recommending the termination of boating when conditions warrant Maintaining the status of debarkation or embarkation Landing scheduled waves at the correct beach at the specified time Arranging for fueling boats and providing rest and food for boat crews Providing liaison to the surfaceborne RLT TACLOG detachment Conducting assault craft salvage operations Coordinating the employment of landing ships and craft within his or her area of responsibility following the initial assault SECONDARY CONTROL OFFICER (SCO) The SCO embarks in the secondary control ship (SCS) and is a principal assistant to the PCO. The SCS is assigned a fixed point station on the LOD or underway sector in the vicinity of the PCS; SCO\SCS duties include the following: Maintaining duplicate control records and plots required of the PCO and PCS Monitoring PCO radio circuits Controlling the waterborne ship-to-shore movement over a numbered colored beach when two or more numbered beaches are designated for colored beach Assuming PCO and PCS duties in an emergency BOAT GROUP COMMANDER (BGC) The BGC is embarked in an LCPL displaying the ZERO flag over the beach flag and is under the tactical control of the PCO. The BGC is thoroughly briefed on the approach schedule; assault wave, landing area, and transport area diagrams; and weather conditions; and is responsible for the following: Maintaining discipline within the boat group Maintaining proper wave positions in the rendezvous area Leading the first displacement landing craft wave from the rendezvous or underway launch area to the surf zone Controlling waterborne traffic off the beach After the last scheduled wave has landed, the BGC assumes the duties as the traffic control officer (TCO) for the beach. 12-9