Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

Correct errors by drawing a single line throughthe error and inserting personal sign.Close out the page at 2359Z. Begin a new pageat 0001Z each day. This procedure is notapplicable when visual watch is not set.Sign in when assuming the watch/duty. Sign outwhen relieved of watch/duty.Enter all traffic, including challenge and reply,exchanging call signs, casualties to personneland equipment, time zone changes, day shapes,setting or securing visual watch, and any otherevents pertaining to visual communications.Use local time to indicate watches (00-04,16-20).Lengthy plain language addresses denoting taskorganizations may be converted to special taskorganization call signs before entry in the visuallog.Visual transmission abbreviations are asfollows:FL—Small signal searchlightSL—Large signal searchlightBK—Yardarm blinkersNFL—Infrared directionalNBK—Infrared nondirectionalSEM—SemaphoreFH—FlaghoistMPL—Multipurpose lightVisual Log EntriesVisual log entries will include the time ofreceipt/delivery and, as applicable in the case ofsignals, the time the signal is executed/hauled down.It will also show the method used, from whom thetraffic was received, to whom the traffic wastransmitted, including the originator, the actionaddressee(s), the information addressee(s), and theexempted addressee(s). Even though traffic is nottransmitted to an exempted addressee, exemptedaddressee(s) must be recorded in the log. The visuallog starts at the beginning of each new day, 0001Z, andends at 2359Z. The first entry will be “assumed thewatch,” and the supervisor signs in. At 2359Z, theday's log is to be closed out and the watch entriescontinued on the next page. All entries except thewatch identification (for example, 00-04, 04-07) areto be made in Greenwich mean time (GMT).The last column in the visual log is used to recordvisual numbers. This is a convenient method ofaccountability. As each message is logged, it isassigned a visual number. After a message has beeninternally routed or, if required, relayed, it is finallyplaced in the visual station file and its number circledin the visual log.No blank lines are to be left between entries in thevisual log. The log is to be kept in black or blue ink.Errors must be corrected by drawing a single linethrough the error and relogging the correct entry. Theperson making the correction must initial the entry,adjacent to the correction. The visual log must belegible if it is to perform its function as a record.All narrative entries must be logged under theText/Remarks column. Shipboard events andevolutions recorded in other official records (forexample, ship's deck log) need not be logged.Corresponding signals paralleling shipboardevolutions must be entered.Figure 8-2 is an example of a page from a visuallog. This example is not intended to cover everysituation that could arise. If there is any doubt as towhether something should or should not be logged, logit. Supervisors must continually monitor the visual logto ensure that it is correct. As a general rule, theleading Signalman should check the visual log onceevery day.Drills and Exercise LogA separate log is maintained for recording visualcommunications drills and exercises. The format forthis log is basically the same as the official log, but thelog must be clearly labeled "Visual CommunicationsDrill Log." There are no retention requirements forthe drill log. Signals and messages used to begin orend drills are logged in the official log.VISUAL STATION FILEThe visual station file contains all outgoing andincoming messages handled visually except thosesignal and service messages that do not contain theprosign BT. It includes either the original copy ofunclassified messages or a filler for classifiedmessages. These messages/fillers are filed indate-time-group order.8-6