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Watch Stander's Terminology

Officer of The Deck (OOD)

The officer of the deck (OOD) is in charge of the ship and is responsible to the commanding officer (CO) for the safe and proper operation of the ship or station. That includes navigation, ship handling, communications,routine tests and inspections, reports, supervision of the watch, and carrying out the plan of the day (POD).

Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD)

The junior officer of the deck (JOOD) is the principal assistant to the OOD. Anyone making routine reports to the OOD normally makes them through theJOOD or the JOOW.

Junior Officer of the Watch (JOOW)

The junior officer of the watch (JOOW), when assigned, is in training for qualification as the OOD.

Combat Information Center (CIC)Watch Officer

The combat information center (CIC) watch officer supervises the operation of the CIC, which reports,tracks, and evaluates air, surface, and submarine contacts.WATCH STANDERSSenior enlisted watch standers also have a numberof important assignments. While there are scores ofother enlisted watch assignments, those described in thefollowing sections are the most important and the mostresponsible. The majority of other enlisted watchstanders report to, or through, watch officers.

Quartermaster of the Watch (QMOW)

The quartermaster of the watch (QMOW) is an enlisted assistant to the OOD while under way (and in-port on certain classes of ships). The QMOW assiststhe OOD in navigational matters and maintains theship’s deck log. Additional duties include reporting andrecording weather changes and executing requiredship’s navigational lighting changes. The QMOW, whomust be a qualified helmsman, supervises the helmsmanif senior to the BMOW.

Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch (BMOW)

The boatswain’s mate of the watch (BMOW) is an enlisted assistant to the OOD during under way watches. The BMOW must see that all deck watchstations are manned with qualified personnel and allwatch standers in previous watch sections are relieved.Although the section leader and the division pettyofficer have the duty of instructing the personnel theysend on watch, the BMOW must verify that everyperson in the watch has been properly instructed andtrained. A BMOW must be a qualified helmsman andsupervises the helmsman if senior to the QMOW.

Lookouts, Sky and Surface

The lookout watch mans assigned lookout stations and performs duties as prescribed in the ship’s lookout instructions. Lookouts should be rotated at least hourly.They are under the direct supervision of the OOD.Lookouts are trained in their duties by the CIC officer.The posting and training of lookouts will, as a minimum,conform to the requirements of the InternationalRegulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Messenger of the Watch (MOW)

The messenger of the watch stands the watch on the bridge (under way) and the quarterdeck (in port). The MOW delivers messages, answers telephones, and carries out such duties as the OOD may direct.Messengers need to be familiar with variousdepartments of the ship and ship’s company. Theunderway messenger is normally assigned from theweapons/deck department.

Fog Lookouts

Fog lookouts are required during fog or reduced visibility. The watch is stood in those locations whereapproaching ships can best be seen or heard (normallyin the bows). The fog lookouts stand a vigilant watch todetect, either by hearing fog signals or actually sighting,approaching ships or craft. Posting and training of foglookouts will, as a minimum, meet the requirements ofthe International Regulations for Preventing Collisionsat Sea. This watch will consist of two personnel—onephone talker and one lookout. The addition of the phone

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Lists all floating museums (hopefully Adams DDG-2 will be added soon)