VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

In addition, the duration of the contact may be too short to permit full consultation up the chain of command
which is a prerequisite for action to be taken.
The assets carrying out this role are likely to be heavily augmented by, or completely derived from,
shore based aircraft. This will, therefore, be an area in which close cooperation in command relationships
will be necessary.
e. Records. In order to be able to reconstruct incidents accurately for subsequent analysis, public
relations purposes and for use in a court of law, it is vital that all units are ordered to take records whenever
an incident seems likely to occur until its completion. Some or all of the following may be ordered:
(1) Unit navigational records.
(2) Narrative records either on tape or manuscript taken on the Bridge or in the Operations
Room/Combat Information Center.
(3) Audio tapes of selected comms nets, normally those used in challenging merchant vessels
and in dealing with opposing units.
(4) Records from video cameras/EO devices slaved to fire control radars.
(5) Video records of surveillance radars.
(6) Records from combat system computers.
(7) Manuscript records as ordered from Maritime Analysis Handbook.
f. Prevention of Mutual Interference. In a multinational force the CTG needs to know the
main characteristics of all sensors and weapons and to issue technical instructions to avoid electronic interference.
Force disposition may also be influenced by the requirement to keep mutually interfering units
apart.
g. PR Media/Matters. Relations with the media should, wherever possible, be proactive rather
than reactive. Indeed the media should be used at both government and task force level to demonstrate
presence, determination and capability. The fact that PR contact may be made at various levels and at various
locations underlines the vital necessity that a common line is taken by all concerned. The Commander
should ensure that:
(1) A clear media policy is established in the TF.
(2) Unit commanders are given a media briefing before arriving on station.
(3) Requests for media facilities are channeled to and approved by one authority.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
(4) Written line-to-take press briefings are issued on a regular basis and updated as a matter
of urgency in the event of any development/incident even if only to confirm no change has occurred.
Where possible these briefs should consist of likely questions and agreed answers.
(5) Units should have experienced in their pre-deployment training, exercises where unannounced
contact with media representatives in the wake of an incident is rehearsed.
8-50 CHANGE 2