TAKING UP FORMATION
When forming a convoy, ships should get to their
correct station as quickly as possible, relative to the
guide of the convoy.
If the convoy is in columns in line ahead or in a
formation involving small groups of ships, each
column/group guide will take station on the guide of
the convoy and station themselves on the guide of their
own column/group.
Ships should maintain their station in the formation
on their guide, and should not be influenced by the movement
of other ships unless the danger of collision occurs.
While forming up, ships are to hoist their convoy
station (convoy internal call sign) and keep it flying
until all ships are in station.
In narrow waters, each ship should make full
allowances for wind and tide so as to pass over the same
ground as the leading ship. This will not necessarily be
achieved by following the wake of the next ship ahead.
COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTIONS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List and explain
the primary and secondary means of convoy
communications. Explain the use of external
ship/shore communication. List the
responsibilities of the master and communi-
cation plan. List pubs used for convoy signals.
List day and night signals for open and closed
ports.
The following types of communications are
available:
1. Primary: Radiotelephone
2. Secondary: Flashing Light
RADIOTELEPHONE
The voice radiotelephone (R/T) procedure
prescribed in ATP 2, volume II, is to be used for all
voice radio communication. The convoy commodore
is net control for voice radio communications. As was
stated for allied voice communications, adherence to
the prescribed procedure and good circuit discipline
are essential to being efficient.
Phonetic Alphabet
When necessary to identify any letter of the
alphabet, the standard phonetic alphabet is used. The
correct pronunciation may be found in the
International Code of Signals.
Numeral Pronunciation
Numerals, in transmission, are to be spoken in the
English language. Only in cases of difficulty is the
INTERCO system used.
Numerals are to be transmitted DIGIT BY DIGIT.
Prowords
The prowords found in ATP 2, volume II, in
general, correspond to those in ACP 125, with the
following exceptions:
ALARM—This ship has sighted or been attacked
by hostile or suspicious forces.
KICK—Carry out antijamming procedures.
REPEAT—Repeat transmission or portion
indicated, or I repeat.
CALL SIGNS
Individual ship call signs vary according to the
circumstances in which they are used. Where no other
instructions have been received, the following rules
apply:
1. In harbor, for communications with local harbor
authorities, use ship name or international call signs.
2. Independently routed ships, see the
communications supplement of ATP 2, volume II.
3. In convoy, ships use their convoy station
designations as their R/T and visual call sign. When
transmitted by R/T, the station designation is preceded
by the word ship.
Special call signs for use within a convoy are
shown in figure 7-3.
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES
Executive-type messages that are sent over the
convoy radiotelephone net will include the proword
EXECUTE TO FOLLOW immediately after the call,
and the text is repeated twice. If there is a delay of
several minutes between the transmission and the
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