UNDERWAY BRIDGE WATCH

FUNDAMENTALS
Presented by
LTJG HARISTON D GUARIN PN
22 SEPTEMBER 2016

REFERENCES
USCGC HAMILTON CUTTER ORGANIZATIONAL MANUAL

(HAMIST M5400.1A)
Proposed Del Pilar Fast Frigate FF-15 SORM
U. S, Coast Guard Regulations, COMDTINST M500.3
STANDING ORDERS FOR THE OFFICERS OF THE DECK,
USCGC HEALY INSTRUCTION M1603.1C
WATCH OFFICERS GUIDE FIFTEENTH EDITION BY ADM
JAMES STA VRIDIS, USN AND CAPT ROBERT GIRRIER, USN
Coast Guard Navigation Standards Manual COMDTINST
M3530.2E
MACHINERY SPACE FIREFIGHTING DOCTRINE FOR CLASS
BRAVO FIRES COMDTINST M9555.1B
NAVAL OPERATIONAL PLANNING NWP 5-01
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DICTIONARY OF MILITARY AND
ASSOCIATED TERMS JOINT PUBLICATION 1-02

OBJECTIVES
Discuss the underway bridge watch organization
Discuss the assigned duties, watchstation location and

responsibilities.
Discuss the relationship with the OOD with respect to

required reports and conduct of watch in general.

Discuss the circumstances which would warrant the

relief of the OOD

Discuss the procedures and importance of conducting

in-port emergency/security drills for all watch sections

on a regular basis

OBJECTIVES
Discuss the preparations required of bridge watchstanders

prior to relieving the watch

State the items that should be noted by the OOD during the

pre-watch rounds of the ship

State the contents of different standing orders, logs & data

sheets and discuss the use of each with regard to watch relief
procedures
Discuss

the tactical, navigational, and internal shipboard

information that the oncoming OOD should be familiar with
prior to relieving the watch.

Explain

the items discussed during the briefing of the

oncoming watch

OBJECTIVES
Explain the verbal exchange required as part of the

OOD relieving process and the requirement for such

an exchange
Discuss

the leadership, tech knowledge &

judgement as they apply to proper watchstanding
underway

Explain the standard format for the log entries

(Midwatch, OTC, OPCON etc.)

Discuss the contents of the standard check lists

used for underway evolutions

UNDERWAY BRIDGE WATCH

ORGANIZATION
Commanding Officer

Navigator

OOW

EPOW

BMW

Electrician

Oil King

Engineman

Gen.Watch

Figure 3-1 Watch Organization Underway,

Chapter 3 page 43 of proposed SORM DCFF

QM
Throttle
man

Helmsman
Radar man

Radioman

Steward

Cook

Lookouts P/S

ASSIGNED DUTIES, WATCHSTATION

LOCATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. CO

b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

EXO
Navigator
OPS
OOD
JOOD
Communications Officer
Department heads

ASSIGNED DUTIES, WATCHSTATION

LOCATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
i. DCA
j. QMOW
k. BMW
l. EOOW
m. Helmsman
n. Lee Helmsman
o. Messenger
p. Lookouts
q. Pilot

IN-PORT
EMERGENC
Y/SECURIT
Y DRILLS

PREPARATIONS REQUIRED OF
BRIDGE WATCHSTANDERS
a. Physical alertness
1. Fatigue
2. Illness/effects of prescribed drugs
3. Night vision
4. Current weather conditions
b. Required equipment
1. Foul weather gear
2. Flashlight with red lens
3. Binoculars
c. Personal appearance

LIST OF ITEMS DURING THE PREWATCH ROUNDS OF THE SHIP

Navigational Information

Tactical Information

Readiness Information

CONTENTS AND USE OF THE

FOLLOWING
a. Standing orders and navigation standards
b. Night orders
c. Message boards
d. Weather observation sheet
e. Ships Smooth Log sheet
f. Navigation data sheet

CONTENTS AND USE OF THE

FOLLOWING
g. OPORDER
h. Schedule of events
i. Ship's Communications Plan
j. POD and/or POW
k. CO's battle orders and
COs Night Orders
l . DC Closure Log

ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING THE BRIEFING

OF THE ONCOMING WATCH.

The watch relief

process shall be a
controlled,
formal,
and precise function.
Experience
has
shown that the ability
to handle casualties
and tactical decisions
is
significantly
reduced during the
transition
period
between watches

VERBAL EXCHANGE REQUIRED

AS PART OF THE OOD
RELIEVING PROCESS

PROPER WATCHSTANDING
UNDERWAY
a.Foresight
b.Forehandedness
c . Vigilance
d. Judgment
e. Leadership
f. Technical knowledge
g. Communications

STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE

FOLLOWING LOG ENTRIES:
A. MIDWATCH
0000
Steaming in company with Task Group 30.5, composed of COMCARSTKGRU 11 and
COMDERSON 23, plus USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53) and USS HIGGINS (DDG76), en route from
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to San Diego, California, in accordance with CTG 30.5, 161514Z AUG 06.
PRINCETON (CG 59) is in station 2 in a formation 1. Formation course 220 T, SPEED 15 knots. SOPA
and OTC is CTG 30.5, COMCARSTRKGRU 11 in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) HIGGINS is guide, bearing 220
T, distance 5,000 yds: Condition of readiness 3 and material condition YOKE set. Ship darkened
except for running lights.
B. OTC
Log all shifts of tactical command. When the OTC (Officer-in-Tactical Command) is the commanding
officer of your vessel, use the following terminology. OTC is commanding officer, USS Blue Ridge
(LCC-19). In every instance give the command title of the OTC, not his name and rank. State the
vessel on which the OTC is embarked, such as:
0900 COMCARGRU 4, embarked in USS Nimitz (CVN 68), assumed OTC.
C. TACON
tactical control Command authority over assigned or attached forces or commands, or
military capability or forces made available for tasking, that is limited to the detailed direction and
control of movements or maneuvers within the operational area necessary to accomplish missions or
tasks assigned. Tactical control is inherent in operational control. Tactical control may be delegated
to, and exercised at any level at or below the level of combatant command. Tactical control provides
sufficient authority for controlling and directing the application of force or tactical use of combat
support assets within the assigned mission or task. Also called TACON. See also combatant
command; combatant command (command authority); operational control. (JP 1)
D. OPCON
0705 Changed operational control to COMUSNAVEUR, deactivated TG 85.3, and activated TG 65.4,
composed of DESTRON 26 and DESRON 14, en route to Mediterranean area from Norfolk, VA
1435 Detached from CTU 58.3.2; changed operational control to CTU 57.4.3

STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE

FOLLOWING LOG ENTRIES:
E. ADCON
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL Direction or exercise of authority over
subordinate or other organizations in respect to administration and
support, including organization of Service forces, control of resources and
equipment, personnel management, unit logistics, individual and unit
training, readiness, mobilization, demobilization, discipline, and other
matters not included in the operational missions of the subordinate or
other organizations. Also called ADCON.
F. POSITION
0050 Leaving NAVFORWEST, Entering NAVFORSOL at Lat 1304 24 N,
Long 119 9 51 E or at Vicinity 52 NM South west off Cabra Island,
Lubang Mindoro, on C-022 T, S-10.9 kts.
G. SPEED AND COURSE CHANGES
0025 C/C -290 deg T, C/S -16 KTS at Lat 1304 24 N, Long 119 9 51 E
or at Vicinity 52 NM South west off Cabra Island, Lubang Mindoro
H. DRILLS AND EXERCISES
General
1000 Exercised at general drills.
Abandonship
1005 Commenced abandon-ship drill.

STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE

FOLLOWING LOG ENTRIES:
I. FUELING
IN PORT
1000 Commenced fueling at Naval Fuel Depot, Craney Island, draft
forward 22 aft 23.
1130 Ceased pumping. Received 254, 031 gals. Of JO-5
AT SEA
1345 Set the special sea and replenishment detail. Commenced
preparations for refueling from USS BRIDGE (T-AOE 10).
1426 Maneuvering to take station astern USS BRIDGE
1438 On station.
1442 Commenced approach. Captain (at the conn) (conning).
1453 On station alongside port side of BRIDGE.
1456 First line over.
1510 Received first fuel hose.
1515 Commenced receiving fuel.
1559 Fueling completed. Received 233, 198 gals. Of DFM/F-76.
1606 All lines and hoses clear. Maneuvering to clear port side of BRIDGE.
1610 Clear of BRIDGE.

STANDARD
CHECK LIS
TS
USED FOR
UNDERWA
Y EVOLUT

END OF PRESENTATION