VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

equipment essential for warning, evaluation, or action is made inoperable for maintenance. Daily
performance checks are to be carried out on such equipment to ascertain its readiness for effective use.
1423 COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Degree of Readiness. The OTC will order the degree of readiness to be assumed.
Commanding officers may order a higher degree of readiness for their own ship if they consider it
necessary.
b. Alert State. In a degree of readiness the OTC may order the alert state. Commanding officers may
order a higher state for their own systems. The OTC may assign this responsibility to one of the commanders.
c. Notice. The OTC will order the notice for the force.
d. Threat Warnings. The OTC will normally promulgate threat warnings. He may assign this
responsibility to commanders.
e. Emergency Signals. Emergency signals may be made by any commanding officer,
coordinator, commander, or the OTC, but their use requires caution because of the action/responses that
will be taken in the force.
f. Readiness in Harbor/Anchorage. The OTC or commanding officer will order the degree of
readiness in consultation with local authorities.
1424 ORGANIZATION
a. Ships. One general degree of readiness is normally ordered to meet all types of threat; however,
a particular degree of readiness may be ordered when the situation so justifies. Particular degrees may
concern antisurface warfare (ASUW), antisubmarine warfare (ASW), antiair warfare (AAW), mine
warfare (MW), NBCD, or engineering. A modification of the degrees of readiness may be assumed by
amphibious forces as necessary to provide for the embarkation or disembarkation of troops and equipment.
b. Guard Ships. The OTC may detail certain ships to assume a higher degree of readiness than
the remainder. Ships so detailed are known as guard ships.
c. Readiness in Harbor/Anchorage. Readiness in harbor will be organized in accordance
with local orders or on order of the OTC or commanding officer after consultation with local authorities.
For readiness of ships against terrorist or underwater swimmer attack, see Chapter 14.
1425 JOINING
a. When a ship joins a force, the joining unit will provide the following information to the OTC:
(1) Messages OPSTAT UNIT and OPSTAT HELLO, stressing the restrictions to operational readiness.
(2) National restrictions to the Rules of Engagement (ROE).
(3) Messages and updated OPGEN, OPTASKs, and OPSTATs received to date.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
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