Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

ASSISTANT BOAT GROUPCOMMANDER (ABGC)The ABGC embarks in an LCPL displaying theWHISKEY flag over the beach flag and reports to theBGC. The ABGC is responsible for the following:Assuming BGC duties in an emergencyAssisting in organizing waves into properposition in the rendezvous areaAssisting in dispatching waves from therendezvous area to arrive at the LOD on timeChecking for stragglers or malfunctioning/damaged assault craft in later wavesFollowing the last scheduled wave to the surfzoneConducting landing craft and amphibiousvehicle salvage operationsUpon departure of the last scheduled wave fromthe rendezvous area, the ABGC becomes the seniorsalvage officer afloat and reports to the beachmasterfor duty.BOAT WAVE COMMANDER (BWC)The BWC embarks in the number onedisplacement landing craft and displays the beach flagover the wave number numerical flag. The BWCcommunicates with the BGC, ABGC, and PCS and isresponsible for the following:Forming the wave into proper organization forlandingMaintaining boat discipline in the waveMaintaining proper boat and wave intervalsArriving at the LOD and beach on timeWAVE GUIDE OFFICER/ASSISTANTWAVE GUIDE OFFICERA wave guide officer and an assistant wave guideofficer are assigned to each wave of amphibiousvehicles. They are normally provided by the ship inwhich the wave is embarked. Each officer embarks inan LCPL that is equipped for communication the sameas the BWC's craft. The wave guide officer's dutiesare as follows:Forming up the amphibious vehicles andguiding them to position seaward of the LODline.Reporting to the PCS, giving details affecting thereadiness of his/her wave.Taking station ahead of the wave, with his/herassistant astern of the wave, and leading thewave to the LOD and across on signal from thePCS.Ensuring that the wave is maintaining properposition in the boat lane and reaches the properbeach on time. (This officer is assisted bydirections from the PCS.)Guiding the wave to the first line of breakers.Here the wave guide boats take station in thereturn lane if the amphibious assault vehicles areto return seaward after landing, and guidereturning vehicles to the designated control shipor boat haven. If the vehicles do not returnseaward, the guide boats normally report to thePCS.STANDARD IDENTIFICATION FLAGS,LIGHTS, MARKERS, AND SIGNALSLEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify thestandard identification flags, lights, markers,and signals used in ship-to-shore movement.A variety of standard identification flags, lights,and markers are used in the ship-to-shore movement(refer to NWP 22-3, appendix C). In addition, anumber of special markers and signals are used, asdescribed in later paragraphs of this chapter.BEACH MARKING FLAGS AND PANELSDuring the planning stage of an amphibiousassault, beach areas are divided into sections andassigned colors for identification purposes. Beachmarkers are approximately the size of a No. 4 flag, andare with the normal beach colors of red, yellow, green,or blue. Fluorescent cloth is used in beach flags andmarkers wherever possible for greater ease inidentification under all weather conditions.BEACH FLAGSBeach flags (fig. 12-8) are flown from designatedboats and ships; the color and design of the flagcorresponds to the beach assignment. When nototherwise specified, the size of flags flown from boatswill be a No. 8 signal flag or larger. Fluorescent cloth12-10