Bridge Terminology
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Watch Personnel
- Officer of the Deck (OOD). Responsible for the ship and to the Commanding officer. Duties include:
- Keep continually informed concerning the tactical situation and geographic factors that may affect safe navigation of the ship, and take appropriate action to avoid the danger of grounding or collision according to tactical doctrine, the Rules of the Road, and the orders of the commanding officer or other proper authority.
- Keep informed concerning current operation plans and orders, intentions of the officer in tactical command and the commanding officer, and such other matters as may pertain to ship or force operations.
- Issue necessary orders to the helm and main engine control to avoid danger, to take or keep an assigned station, or to change the course and speed of the ship according to orders of proper authority.
- Make all required reports to the commanding officer. When a command duty officer is specified for the watch, they make the same reports to the command duty officer.
- Ensure that required reports to the OOD concerning tests and inspections and the routine reports of patrols, watches, and lifeboat crews are promptly originated and that the bridge watch and lookouts are properly posted and alert.
- Supervise and direct the personnel on watch on the bridge, ensure that all required entries are properly made in the Ship’s Deck Log, and sign the log at the conclusion of the watch.
- Issue orders for rendering honors to passing ships as required by regulations and custom.
- Ensure that the executive officer, command duty officer (when assigned), and department heads concerned are kept informed of changes in the tactical situation, operation schedule, the approach of heavy weather, and other circumstances that would require a change in the ships routine or other action on their part.