Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

Figure 8-3.—Watch-to-watch inventory sheet.HANDLING CLASSIFIED MATERIALClassified material available on the signalbridge while under way involves not only signalpublications as such, but may include suchdocuments as encrypted call signs and task forcecall signs.Classified material is made available topersonnel only on a “need-to-know” basis. Inother words, the material is on the signal bridgeonly because Signalmen need it to perform theirduties. As a signal supervisor, you are directlyresponsible for the classified matter on the signalbridge during your watch. If possible, keep thematerial out of sight until needed. Do not allowlookouts, telephone talkers, or other watchstanders to have access to it. In the first place,they have no need for the information. Secondly, youhave no way of knowing whether they have beengranted the appropriate security clearance.When the ship is not under way, classified matterrequired for use by the signal bridge generally isretained in the communications spaces where facilitiesare available to provide adequate security. Neededmaterial is delivered to the signal bridge by thecommunications officer when the ship gets under wayand is removed by the communications officer whenthe ship enters port. In ships having proper stowagefacilities on the bridge, the signal officer is responsiblefor delivering, collecting, and securing the classifiedmaterial.8-9