VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

(1) The ship in which the OTC is embarked is the Guide unless otherwise ordered or unless the
Guide changes automatically.
(2) The OTC’s ship may hoist the Guide flag temporarily for identification when the force is forming
up or when a unit joins.
b. Designated Ship. A ship (not the OTC’s) designated as the Guide is to hoist the Guide flag
and keep it flying until the Guide is changed. When a formation or disposition diagram indicates the station
designated as the Guide’s, the ship in that station automatically assumes duty as the Guide and, if she is not
the OTC’s ship, hoists the Guide flag.
c. Designation of New Guide. The designation of a new Guide does not in itself order a shift in
stations; ships must, therefore, maintain their present positions but keep station on the new Guide.
d. Further details are described in ATP 1, Vol. II.
2221 AUTOMATIC CHANGES OF THE GUIDE
The Guide does not automatically change when a new task or type organization is ordered or with a
change of tactical command. The Guide changes automatically only on the following occasions:
a. SHIP BEING FORMED ON becomes the Guide.
b. LINE GUIDE OF THE LINE BEING FORMED ON becomes the Guide.
c. SHIP BECOMING THE PIVOT SHIP for a maneuver becomes the Guide.
d. WHEN REVERSING THE ORDER OF SHIPS IN COLUMN FROM THE REAR, the rear ship
automatically becomes the Guide.
e. WHEN FORMING A LOOSE LINE OF COLUMN, COLUMN OPEN ORDER, OR
DIAMOND FORMATION, the leading ship becomes the Guide.
f. WHEN A WHEEL SIGNAL IS EXECUTED:
(1) WHEN IN SINGLE COLUMN, the leading ship will be the Guide.
(2) WHEN IN DIAMOND FORMATION, the leading ship will be the Guide.
(3) WHEN IN MULTIPLE COLUMNS, the leading ship of the pivot column will be the Guide.
g. WHEN WHEELING LINES SIMULTANEOUSLY, the leading or pivot ship of the Guide’s
line becomes the Guide and the leading or pivot ships of the other lines become line guides.
h. WHEN ALTERING COURSE BY SEARCH TURN, the wing ship on the side away from the
direction of the new course will turn to the course indicated and become the Guide.
i. WHEN THE GUIDE HAULS OUT, the new guide of that line is to become the Guide.
2222 — 2229 SPARE
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
2-19 ORIGINAL