Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

CHAPTER 8WATCHSTANDING DUTIESVisual communications at sea usually involvemessages that require specific and often immediatecompliance. Through tactical communications, shipsare joined in formation and maneuvered together as aunit; combat information, passed rapidly betweenships, weapons, and aircraft, are coordinated for attackor mutual defense of the group.Because of their importance, tactical communicationsare handled by specially trained, responsiblepersonnel. Usually the staff communications officeror staff watch officer on a flagship disseminatessignals for the officer in tactical command (OTC) byvoice radio located in the flag plot, or through theflagship signal bridge. On other ships in the force,tactical communications are handled by key personnelthat assist the commanding officer in receiving andinterpreting communications. These personnelinclude the OOD, JOOD, CIC personnel, and thesignal watch.The signal officer, if one is assigned, takes directcharge of the signal bridge during maneuvers, tacticaldrills, general quarters, and when the ship is leavingor entering port.Basic communications doctrine stipulates thatvisual signaling, in preference to radio, be used forcommunicating whenever practicable. Visualcommunications, therefore, constitutes an integralpart of the overall communications effort of the ship.The signal bridge plays an important role in theeffectiveness of communications as a function of thecommand.The point of this introduction is to emphasize theimportance of your job as a watch stander on the signalbridge. During periods of independent steaming andwhen the task force is not maneuvering, the watch isnecessarily slow. When maneuvers begin, the pace israpid and requires “instant response.” When the OTCputs a signal in the air, the sign of a smart ship is toanswer, acknowledge, and execute with minimum lossof time. A signal watch aboard a ship with afast-maneuvering task force can be a major challenge.This chapter describes the major responsibilitiesof the signal force, including lookout duties and ashort discussion of forms and publications you willuse. It also discusses signals that a boatcrewSignalman must be familiar with, and explainsUNREP procedures.DUTIES OF THE WATCHLEARNING OBJECTIVES: List and explainthe duties of the signalbridge watch, includingthe duties of the signal supervisor, spotter, andrecorder. Explain the procedures for using amaneuvering board to locate ships and to plotformations.Frequently, the duties of Signalmen, spotters, andrecorders may be rotated to better qualify strikers.When the pace is quick, however, the supervisormakes sure the best qualified personnel are in the mostimportant spots.SIGNAL SUPERVISORA Signalman 3 or 2 frequently is assigned theduties of signal supervisor. During the watch, thesupervisor is in complete control of signal personnelon watch and of signal material in use, and ensures thata proper lookout is kept at all times. When the ship isunder way, the signal supervisor is subject to theleading Signalman and the signal officer. Thesupervisor stations the watch so as best to carry on thesignal activities and to attain watch discipline. Thesupervisor's primary concerns are with traffichandling and watch discipline, and only secondarily(as necessary) with actual operation. It is thesupervisor's responsibility to make sure instructionsare complied with for internal routing and filing ofmessages applicable to the signal section.Any person assigned as a watch supervisor mustbe thoroughly familiar with CommunicationsInstructions, Visual Signaling Procedures, ACP 129;Allied Maritime Tactical Signal and ManueveringBook, ATP 1, volume II; Call Sign Book for Ships,ACP 113; International Code of Signals, Pub. 102,and all other applicable instructions and publicationspertaining to visual communications. The supervisorshould be proficient in all forms of visual8-1