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the ship’s engineering plant. The EOOW has to
be thoroughly familiar with the ship’s engineering
systems, including their capabilities and limita-
tions. If a casualty occurs to any piece of equip-
ment in the engineering plant, the EOOW must
know the proper procedures to follow to control
the casualty. Some of the duties and respon-
sibilities of the EOOW are as follows:
Supervising personnel on watch in the
Engineering Department to ensure they
operate machinery according to instruc-
tions; ensuring personnel maintain re-
quired logs, properly man machinery and
controls,
and carry out all required
inspections and safety precautions
Ensuring personnel promptly and properly
execute all orders from the OOD concern-
ing the speed and direction of rotation of
the main engines
Immediately executing all emergency
orders concerning the speed and direction
of rotation of the screws
Immediately informing the OOD and the
engineer officer of any casualty that would
prevent the execution of engine speed
orders or would affect the operational
capability of the ship
Keeping informed of the power re-
quirements for operations; ensuring the
propulsion and auxiliary machinery com-
bination effectively meets operational
requirements
Supervising and coordinating on-the-job
training for engineering personnel on
watch
The EOOW is the OOD’s link to the engineer-
ing plant. They work together and should keep
each other informed. The OOD should inform the
EOOW as soon as possible when changes in speed
are anticipated. For example, to increase speed
substantially to go to an assigned station, the
OOD should notify the EOOW of the anticipated
speed required. This gives the EOOW time to start
additional machinery needed to meet the increased
speed requirement.
COMMAND DUTY OFFICER (CDO)
The command duty officer (CDO) is the direct
representative of the commanding officer. Some
large ships have a CDO assigned underway, but
in this text we will discuss the CDO in port.
The commanding officer designates an officer,
or in some cases a petty officer, as the CDO. The
CDO carries out the routine of the unit in port
and supervises the OOD (in port) in the safety and
general duties of the unit. The CDO carries out
the duties of the executive officer (XO) during the
XO’s temporary absence. Some of the duties and
responsibilities of the CDO are as follows:
Advising and, if necessary, directing the
OOD in the general duties of the unit
Keeping informed of the unit’s position,
mooring lines or ground tackle in use,
status of the engineering plant, and all
other matters affecting the safety and
security of the unit
Relieving the OOD when necessary for the
safety of the unit, and informing the com-
manding officer when such action is taken
In the absence of the executive officer,
receiving the eight-o’clock reports from the
department duty officers and reporting the
condition of the unit to the commanding
officer
Mustering, drilling, and inspecting duty
emergency parties
Normally, the CDO stands a 24-hour watch.
Most other watches are only for a 4-hour period.
The CDO, being the direct representative of the
commanding officer, has full and complete
authority over the unit. All personnel, regardless
of rate or rank, are subordinate to the CDO.
OFFICER OF THE DECK (IN PORT)
The OOD (in port) is the officer or petty
officer on watch designated by the commanding
officer to be in charge of the unit. The OOD's
primary responsibility is the safety and proper
operation of the unit. The OOD's other duties and
responsibilities include the following:
• Keeping continually informed of the unit’s
position, mooring lines or ground tackle
in use, tide and weather information, the
status of the engineering plant, the status
of the unit’s boats, and all other matter
affecting the safety and security of the unit
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