VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

exercise of professional judgment in their operational fields. However, this requirement in no way limits
the command authority of CATF.
1266 CONSULTATION BETWEEN CORRESPONDING COMMANDERS
No significant decision affecting the plans, disposition, or intentions of a corresponding commander
is made without consultation with the commander concerned.
1267 NAVAL AUTHORITY OVER LANDING FORCE UNITS
No Navy commander, other than CATF, exercises authority over, or assumes responsibility for, the
operating of landing force units, except where a Navy commander below the amphibious task force level
has been designated as commander of a subordinate force composed of Navy and landing force units.
1268 — 1269 SPARE
1270 NAVAL CONTROL OF SHIPPING
The naval commander, responsible within a specified geographic area for the naval control of all
merchant shipping under Allied naval control, is the Operational Control Authority (OCA).
a. Regional Naval Control of Shipping (RNCS). When RNCS is implemented, the OCA is
the naval commander designated as NCS Region Commander (NCSRC). He will be responsible for the
control of all merchant shipping consigned to RNCS whilst they are in the NCS Region.
b. Full Naval Control of Shipping (FNCS). When mandatory NCS is introduced on a global
basis (FNCS), the OCA’s functions are undertaken by the naval commander responsible for each sea area.
1271 CONVOY COMMODORE AND HIS DEPUTIES
The Convoy Commodore, vice commodore, and rear commodore are naval officers or masters of
ships in the convoy. The Convoy Commodore is designated to command the convoy, subject to the orders
of the OTC, and the vice and rear commodores are designated to assist him. The vice commodore succeeds
to command of the convoy if the commodore or his flagship is incapacitated; the rear commodore succeeds
both. If a section of a convoy is detached and it does not include the vice or rear commodore, the convoy
commodore must designate a commodore for the detaching section. Further discussion of convoy
command relationships is found in Chapter 10.
1272 IMPLEMENTATION OF NAVAL CONTROL OF SHIPPING
In time of crisis, RNCS will be the responsibility of the authority nominated by the MNC as the
NCSRC. This can either be a shore-based commander or the Maritime Component Commander afloat. The
choice of which will be dictated by the location of the crisis area and the type of crisis. Given that the NCS
Region will not accord with any existing command area boundaries, it is important that appropriate liaison
with other commanders is maintained. In the event that FNCS is established, control will be compulsory
and exercised by OCAs. Full details of NCS procedures and organization may be found in ATP 2, Vol. I.
However, Chapter 10 of ATP 1, Vol. I, contains a comprehensive overview of NCS.
1273 — 1274 SPARE
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
1-12 ORIGINAL