VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
c. Wheeling by Main Body or Convoy. Screen units maneuver to maintain their relative
bearings and distances from the main body or convoy.
3332 INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONVOY SCREENS
General instructions for ordering and conduct of screens are contained in earlier articles in this
section. Specific responsibilities of convoy screen ships follow:
a. Maintaining Convoy Discipline. Screen ships are to assist the convoy commodore in
maintaining convoy discipline by reporting ships that make smoke, show lights, lose station, make
unauthorized use of radio, pump bilges, or dump refuse. They are to use initiative and warn merchant ships
directly when immediate action is necessary, informing the OTC and convoy commodore of the action
taken.
b. Maintaining Convoy Formation. Screen ships are to make every effort to keep ships in their
proper stations. The OTC may order a screen ship to escort one or more scattered ships; he may also
remedy poor station keeping by ordering screen ships to lead the flank columns of the convoy until
individual merchant ships have regained station. OTCs must report merchant ship casualties by a
MERCASREP.
c. Action When Ship Is Damaged. A screen ship on observing that a ship has been damaged is
immediately to report the occurrence and the cause, if known, to the OTC, and at night, if possible, is to fire
two white rockets. It must not be assumed that the OTC is aware of a ship being damaged until the fact has
been reported to him.
d. Rescue of Survivors. Action to counter a threat and continued protection of the convoy are to
take precedence over the rescue of survivors. When survivors are sighted in the vicinity during a search for
a submarine, life rafts should be dropped. If required, the OTC is to designate screen ships, as soon as they
can be spared, to pick up survivors and to screen other ships engaged in rescue work.
3333 HELICOPTERS IN THE SCREEN
The rules for ordering helicopter screens or assigning helicopters a station or sector in a surface
screen are the same as those for ordering surface screens. However, stations or sectors assigned to
unspecified helicopters must be designated by addition of “DESIG H” after the station or sector assigned.
SCREEN G–N8C8 DESIG H
-EXAMPLE-
Meaning: In this skeleton screen, there is a helicopter patrol line 8,000 yards ahead of the main
body or convoy.
3334 CONTROL OF SCREEN HELICOPTERS
a. Helicopter Control Unit. The OTC (or screen commander, if delegated) may assign the
control of helicopters to one or more helicopter control units (HCUs). The duties of the HCU are the same
as those of an ACU. In the case of a windline screen, the OTC should order the number of helicopters
required and designate the carrier as HCU. Helicopters may also be ordered to operate independently.
b. Procedure When Helicopters Are Employed on Screening Duties.
(1) The OTC (or screen commander, if delegated) assigns helicopter screen stations.
3-47 CHANGE 2