code_of_practice_V3_2019

10.5 RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RCC OPERATOR WITHIN AN OPERATIONAL HIERARCHY
10.5.1 In most cases, there will be several personnel involved in the operation of the MASS with different types and
levels of responsibility. The titles given to these personnel will differ depending on the type of commercial or
military application. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of all involved in the
operation, particularly the RCC operator.
10.5.2 An example of a responsibility diagram is provided at Figure 10-1 below. In this example, the MASS is launched
and operated from the mother ship. The RCC is located in the ship operations room with a second MASS operator
on deck to conduct short range remote operations using a hand-held console during launch and recovery of the
MASS.
Figure 10-1: Illustrative Responsibility Diagram
MASTER/
COMMANDING
OFFICER
RCC
WATCH OFFICER
RCC
OPERATOR
SHIP CRANE
OPERATOR
(MASS Launch /
Recovery)
MASS SECONDARY
OPERATOR
on deck of ship
(Hand Held Console)
MASS PAYLOAD
OPERATOR
In this example, the following roles and responsibilities are applied:
n Master/Commanding Officer
– Overall responsibility for the ship and her crew and all operations including those involving off board systems
(MASS);
– Authorises the mission plan.
n RCC Watch Officer
– Manages and commands the complete MASS mission;
– Manages the interaction between MASS RCC operator, crane operator, payload operators etc;
– Involved in mission planning, execution and post mission evaluation;
– Direct communication with equipment operators;
– If the MASS Watch Officer (MWO) is located in the Operations Room, then the oversight of crane/deck
operations will pass to the commanding officer on the bridge.
64 MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice Version 3