CHAPTER 8 WATCHSTANDING DUTIES Visual communications at sea usually involve messages that require specific and often immediate compliance. Through tactical communications, ships are joined in formation and maneuvered together as a unit; combat information, passed rapidly between ships, weapons, and aircraft, are coordinated for attack or mutual defense of the group. Because of their importance, tactical communications are handled by specially trained, responsible personnel. Usually the staff communications officer or staff watch officer on a flagship disseminates signals for the officer in tactical command (OTC) by voice radio located in the flag plot, or through the flagship signal bridge. On other ships in the force, tactical communications are handled by key personnel that assist the commanding officer in receiving and interpreting communications. These personnel include the OOD, JOOD, CIC personnel, and the signal watch. The signal officer, if one is assigned, takes direct charge of the signal bridge during maneuvers, tactical drills, general quarters, and when the ship is leaving or entering port. Basic communications doctrine stipulates that visual signaling, in preference to radio, be used for communicating whenever practicable. Visual communications, therefore, constitutes an integral part of the overall communications effort of the ship. The signal bridge plays an important role in the effectiveness of communications as a function of the command. The point of this introduction is to emphasize the importance of your job as a watch stander on the signal bridge. During periods of independent steaming and when the task force is not maneuvering, the watch is necessarily slow. When maneuvers begin, the pace is rapid and requires “instant response.” When the OTC puts a signal in the air, the sign of a smart ship is to answer, acknowledge, and execute with minimum loss of time. A signal watch aboard a ship with a fast-maneuvering task force can be a major challenge. This chapter describes the major responsibilities of the signal force, including lookout duties and a short discussion of forms and publications you will use. It also discusses signals that a boatcrew Signalman must be familiar with, and explains UNREP procedures. DUTIES OF THE WATCH LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List and explain the duties of the signalbridge watch, including the duties of the signal supervisor, spotter, and recorder. Explain the procedures for using a maneuvering board to locate ships and to plot formations. Frequently, the duties of Signalmen, spotters, and recorders may be rotated to better qualify strikers. When the pace is quick, however, the supervisor makes sure the best qualified personnel are in the most important spots. SIGNAL SUPERVISOR A Signalman 3 or 2 frequently is assigned the duties of signal supervisor. During the watch, the supervisor is in complete control of signal personnel on watch and of signal material in use, and ensures that a proper lookout is kept at all times. When the ship is under way, the signal supervisor is subject to the leading Signalman and the signal officer. The supervisor stations the watch so as best to carry on the signal activities and to attain watch discipline. The supervisor's primary concerns are with traffic handling and watch discipline, and only secondarily (as necessary) with actual operation. It is the supervisor's responsibility to make sure instructions are complied with for internal routing and filing of messages applicable to the signal section. Any person assigned as a watch supervisor must be thoroughly familiar with Communications Instructions, Visual Signaling Procedures, ACP 129; Allied Maritime Tactical Signal and Manuevering Book, ATP 1, volume II; Call Sign Book for Ships, ACP 113; International Code of Signals, Pub. 102, and all other applicable instructions and publications pertaining to visual communications. The supervisor should be proficient in all forms of visual 8-1