Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

Ships that pass through the MERZONE will begiven a route to follow through the zone. Only thoseships whose passage must take them into the zone willbe controlled this way, and then only while actuallywithin the boundaries of the zone.VNCS is, as its name states, voluntary throughoutand can only be imposed with the consent of theshipowner, who may withdraw his or her ship fromNavy control at any time.NAVAL CONTROL OFSHIPPING IN WARAt the declaration of war or at the point when it isdecided to place merchant shipping on a war footing,all oceangoing merchant ships will be committed toemployment by the CDSORG for the prosecution ofwar and survival of Allied Nations. This will involvethe pooling of ocean shipping resources andcompulsory acceptance by masters of the control ofmovement by the Allied NCSORG.Command StructureThe command structure for NCS will be similar tothat specified for periods of tension. The CDSORG,for the employment of merchant ships, will be staffedby officials drawn from peacetime governmentshipping agencies and shipping companies.Coastal vesselsShips below 1600 GRT and those larger vesselsdeclared solely to coastal operation will not be pooled, butwill remain under national control throughout the war.Control of ShippingWhether or not ships are sailed in convoy, therewill be positive control of merchant ship movementsof all types. The level of control will vary accordingto the tactical situation at the place and time, but in itsvery lowest form will require that each merchant ship1. obtain permission to sail, and2. be given a route to follow.COMMAND AND RESPONSIBILITIESLEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify andexplain the duties of the officer in tacticalcommand (OTC), convoy commodore, vicecommodore, and the rear commodore.The safe passage of a convoy depends on theorganization of the convoy before sailing, themanagement and control of the convoy at sea, and theskillful handling of each ship while in convoy. Convoyoperations must be understood by every master andwatchkeeping officer if each ship is to play herindividual part.OFFICER IN TACTICALCOMMAND (OTC)The OTC is the senior naval officer present or theofficer to whom command has been delegated. TheOTC is responsible for the defense of the convoy andthe enforcement of such instructions and orders as arerelated to the defense of the convoy.CONVOY COMMODOREThe convoy commodore is the officer, naval ormerchant, designated by naval authority to commandthe convoy. The convoy commodore is subject toorders of the OTC. In the absence of an escort, he/shetakes entire command.The convoy commodore is responsible for theinternal operations of the convoy. This responsibilityincludes the assignment of stations to ships in theconvoy after the convoy leaves the harbor, the issue ofinstructions and regulations for the convoy, the safenavigation of the convoy as a whole, and for thecommunication organization of the convoy within thepolicy of the OTC. The convoy commodore shouldconsult with OTC, whose navigational facilities arenormally superior, regarding safe navigation,particularly in channels and mineable waters. Undernormal conditions, the convoy commodore willcontrol the convoy tactically, following standardinstructions for convoys and such additionalinstructions as may be received from competentauthority. He/she is responsible for the readiness foraction and conduct in action of the merchant shipsunder his/her command. If the convoy commodore isincapacitated or forced to relinquish command of theconvoy, his/her duties are assumed by the vicecommodore. After the vice commodore, the rearcommodore takes over.When required to make good a specified course orto follow a specified route, the commodore must beparticularly careful that allowance is made for windand tide. The commodore must also ensure that theguide of the convoy steers an accurate course and thatthe remaining ships maintain their ordered stations.7-3