Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

station by displaying the designated flag over thecolored debarkation station flag (see fig. 12-6). Forexample, to call the LCM 8 required at (port)debarkation station BLUE 6, the signal bridge hoiststhe 8 flag over the BLUE flag at the port yardarm.When boats are alongside the designated station, theflag signal is hauled down.NightA light box (fig. 12-7) is mounted on a swivelbase at the signal station on each side of the ship foraiming at a particular assembly area. The box isfitted with three holes on a vertical line and isshielded at the front so the lights are visible in oneassembly area only. The holes will be of such sizeto permit interchange of the standard colored lightfilters for a 12-inch searchlight.The top color in the light box indicates starboardor port side; the middle color indicates type of boat orcraft desired; and the bottom color designates thedebarkation station (see fig. 12-6).Each debarkation station suspends a small,single-cell flashlight colored the same color as thedebarkation station marker. All lights are in the samelocation as the station marker painted on the hull.These small lights serve only to identify the stationsas the boat or craft comes close alongside.Day and NightLanding craft are called alongside by signal onorders from the debarkation officer. Loudspeakerequipment may be used as a supplementary means ofcommunication. Radio to the boat group commander(BGC) or his or her assistant may be used as a backup.PROCEDURES FOR CALLINGBOATS AND CRAFT INTO WELLDECKS/TANK DECKSSignals are used to call boats and landing craftfrom on-call circles into the well decks, to the tank ofan LST for stern gate marriages, or to embark troopsor cargo.DaySignals are similar to those used in calling boatsor craft to debarkation stations. To call boats or craftinto well decks, the signal bridge hoists the signal fora type of boat or craft (see fig. 12-6). To call an LCM8, for example, the signal bridge hoists (on eitheryardarm with the exception of LHAs) flag 8 over flagWHISKEY, which would tell the boats in the on-callcircle that a single LCM 8 is to enter the well deck. Tobring two LCM 8s married into the well, the signal isflag 8 over flag 8 over flag WHISKEY. This indicatesthat two LCM 8s are to marry up in the on-call circleand enter the well deck Once the boats cross the sill,the well deck control officer positions them at anydesired station. For calling boats or craft into the welldeck of an LHA, the signal bridge hoists flag signalson the port or starboard yardarm to indicate which sideof the split well deck the boat or craft is to make.To call LCUs or LVTs to the tank deck, the signalbridge hoists the appropriate flag over the WHISKEYflag from either yardarm.NightAt night, the light box and the same middle lightcolor signals are used for calling individual boats andcraft alongside. The top light for calling boats to thewell deck is white instead of red or green. The bottomlight is left blank when single boats are called. To haveboats marry up, the bottom light is white. For LHAs,a steady top light indicates a boat or craft is to makethe starboard side of the split well deck A flashing toplight indicates the port side of the split well.CONTROL ORGANIZATIONFigure 12-7.—Debarkation light box.LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain the dutiesof the control organization personnel, includingthe duties of the central control officer (CCO),a BGC, and the BWC.12-8