Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

communications and be able to draft a message fortransmission in any visual system. The supervisormust know the watch standers' duties in variousemergency bills, with emphasis on man overboard.During the watch, the supervisor is required to dothe following:Ensure that an alert watch is maintained at alltimes.Coordinate and supervise operations andactivities of the watch in such a way as to maintainefficiency in handling visual message traffic withminimum noise and confusion.Know the recognition signals that are in effect.Keep the watch informed of the disposition,organization, formation, and location of all units invisual company.Know the visual responsibility of own ship forrelaying and repeating signals and messages.Safeguard communications publications on thesignal bridge; make sure a watch-to-watch inventory ismaintained.Conduct training and instruction for personnel onwatch, as practicable, under existing operatingconditions.Assume responsibility for cleanliness andorderliness of the signal bridge and personnel on watch.Acquaint the watch with the location and use ofemergency signal equipment.Make all required reports to the bridge orquarterdeck. These reports include ships or objectssighted, status of signals on own ship and ships in thevicinity, execution of signals, and casualties to signalbridge equipment.Make sure receipts are obtained for messagesaccepted by the watch for delivery or relay.Maintain the visual station file and visual log.Before becoming a Signalman supervisor, youmust complete Personnel Qualification Standard forVisual Communications, NAVEDTRA 43354A.SIGNALMENSignalmen should be proficient in all means ofvisual communications and have knowledge of thefollowing:Correct visual procedures, including the uses ofprocedure signals, procedure signs, and callsignsRecognition procedures and recognition signalsin effectThe organization, disposition, formation, andlocation of all units in companyLog and file maintenanceMeanings of all special flags and pennantsThe location and method of operation of allemergency signaling gearSignalmen should be able to compose and breakdown any visual or radio message heading in navalform. They also must know how to communicate byvisual means with a merchant ship at sea and shouldhave a basic knowledge of visual communicationswith aircraft.Signalmen should pay particular attention to thefollowing conditions:Keep halyards taut in fair weather. In fog orinclement weather and when it is too dark for flaghoist,slack the halyards off to prevent unnecessary strainfrom shrinkageDo not leave Irish pennants, loose equipment, orpersonal gear about the signal bridgeReport lost, damaged, or inoperable equipment atonce, and take steps to repair or replace itKeep bunting dry and covered in bad weather, andair it as often as necessary to prevent mildew. Beforeairing bunting, obtain permission from the seniorofficer present afloat (SOPA)Signalmen must always be mindful that an alertsignal force is the mark of a smart ship. The followingitems make for smartness in flaghoist signaling:Accuracy in bending on the correct flag the firsttimeSmoothness in hoisting and making a quick turnwith the uphaulSpeed in hauling up the hoistAssurance that all flags are sent up clearCertainty that the signal is kept visible while thehoist is flying. The downhaul is kept fairly tautSignals are hauled down sharply, smoothly, andin such manner that they are not allowed tostream to leeward or over the side8-2