VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
3337 — 3339 SPARE
3340 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
3341 INSTRUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL SCREEN UNITS
a. Report on Joining a Screen. On joining, the commanding officer is to report to the OTC and
screen commander any defect that affects his operational capability and his fuel state.
b. Rejoining the Screen. Units rejoining a screen are to proceed to their previously assigned
station, unless otherwise ordered.
c. Replenishment of Screen Units. When screen units are to conduct replenishment, the
procedure will be as follows:
(1) Screen ships are to proceed when relieved at screen station unless otherwise ordered.
(2) Remaining screen units act in accordance with subparagraph f below.
(3) Screen units rejoining after replenishment act in accordance with subparagraph b above.
(4) Screen helicopters may be refueled by surface units.
d. Bad Weather Conditions. If, during bad weather, a screen unit is unable to maintain the
speed necessary to accomplish the task without damage or serious effects on its sensor performance, the
commanding officer is to report to the OTC (or screen commander, if delegated) the maximum speed he
can maintain.
e. Equipment Failure. Any sensor or weapon system failure in a screen unit is to be reported
immediately to the OTC (or screen commander, if delegated) and to adjacent units, including the estimated
time at which repairs will be completed. A gap caused by this failure is to be covered, as far as possible, by
adjacent units by adjusting their patrol without leaving their assigned sectors, stations, or patrol lines,
unless the screen commander decides to adjust or reorder the screen.
f. Filling a Gap. If a screen unit leaves the screen, units in sectors, stations, or patrol lines adjacent
to it are to maneuver in their sector, station, or patrol line so as to cover as much of the gap as possible. They
will leave their sector, station, or patrol line only if ordered to do so.
g. Right of Way. Ships of the main body or convoy have right of way over screen ships, unless the
latter are in contact with submarines. A helicopter in the dip or hover is not to be approached by ships
within 500 yards.
h. Navigational Hazards. Individual ships are responsible for avoiding navigational hazards.
i. Bulging the Screen. If, during maneuvering a carrier by Method B (see Chapter 6), the length
of flight operations necessitates the carrier to proceed outside the screen, the screen is to bulge. In this case,
the two screen units ahead of the carrier leave their sectors, stations, or patrol lines to screen the carrier.
3-49 CHANGE 2