chapter 08

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Instructions to Command Officers

November 2007 Edition

CHAPTER 8

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMAND OFFICERS

(MOD Sponsor: CINCFLEET-ACOS(W))

CONTENTS

SECTION I - SEA COMMAND

Para0801. The Exercise of Sea Command0802. Powers of Delegation0803. Charge of the Ship0804. Succession to Command0805. Captain’s Orders0806. Stability and Structural Strength0807. Loss of Ship0808. Action Information Organization0809. Definitions of Terms0810. Instructions for Submarines with the Submarine Command Course (SMCC)

Embarked

SECTION II - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

0821. Fleet, Station and Port Orders0822. Reports of Proceedings0823. Captain’s Rounds0824. Inspection of Books and Records0825. EducationJ.0826. Resettlement on Retirement or Discharge0827. Service in the Same Establishment as a Near RelativeJ.0828. Testimonials0829. Operational Deployment of Naval Personnel Under 18 Years Old

SECTION III - ORGAIZATION

0841. Scheme of complement0842. Divisions0843. Religious Observances0844. General Duties0845. Communal Duties0846. Promulgation of Orders0847. Watch and Station Bill and Quarter Bill0848. Libertymen0849. Health Precautions0850. Physical Training and Sport0851. First Aid Training0852. Posting Sentries0853. Working Parties

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SECTION IV - LOGISTICS DUTIES

0861. Public Money0862. Payments Made Under Captain’s Authority0863. Persons Authorized to Pay and Receive0864. Non-Public Funds0865. Stores0866. Logistics Officer’s checks and controls

SECTION V - WEAPONS AND WEAPON SYSTEMS

0881. Readiness for Operations0882. Naval Magazine and Explosives Regulations0883. Ammunition Expenditure0884. Drills, Exercises and Tests0885. Weapon Defects0886. Precautions to be Taken When Working on Power-Operated Gun Mountings, etc.

SECTION VI - SHIP UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

0891. Upkeep in the Fleet and Submarine Operating Programmes0892. Dockyard Work0893. Contract Acceptance0894. Completion Reports0895. Unallocated

SECTION VII - NEW CONSTRUCTION SHIPS AND SUBMARINES

0896. Standing by Responsibilities

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CHAPTER 8

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMAND OFFICERS

SECTION I - SEA COMMAND

0801. The Exercise of Sea Command

In exercising sea command, the Commanding Officer is accountable through hisoperational chain of command to the Admiralty Board for the safe direction andmanagement of all the tasks and functions of his ship and her company. This shall beknown as the safe conduct of the ship. (See 0803 sub para 1)

0802. Powers of Delegation

1.a. The Commanding Officer (CO), in consultation with his Operational

Commander, may delegate sea command in the event of his long termabsence or incapacity. He may also, subject to his professional judgement,delegate conduct of the ship in such circumstances as temporary incapacity,short-term absence or for training purposes. To comply with the Standards ofTraining, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention of 1995, whenthe CO intends to be absent from the ship whilst the vessel is underway(except during cold moves by a Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) (See 1922.sub para 3)), sea command or conduct may only be delegated to an officerpossessing both Command Qualification 1 (CQ1) and a PlatformEndorsement (PE) for the particular ship type. The CO may delegate Conductto an officer not is possession of CQ1 for training purposes when he remainsembarked, or for urgent requirements in cases of operational need. At alltimes, the officer delegated Conduct must, as a minimum, possess an in-dateNavigational Watch Certificate, Bridge Warfare Qualification and PE for theparticular platform type. All officers are to report to and take directions fromthe officer with delegated powers as if he were the Commanding Officer.

(1) Additionally for Submarines. In peacetime, Conduct in a Submarinecan only be delegate to an officer who has successfully completed theSubmarine Command Cource (SMCC). At least one SMCC qualifiedOfficer, who has been appointed to the submarine, is to be on boardwhenever the submarine is underway.

b. Guidelines for delegation of Conduct are summarised in Table 8-1. It isfundamental that the impact of the absence of the (CO) on the OperationalCapability of the unit is carefully gauged and, whilst it is not intended to limitappropriate delegation of this task for training or operational reasons, there isnevertheless a need to keep CINCFLEET informed of longer term absencesof the CO whilst the ship is at sea. In all cases when the CO will not beremaining in the close vicinity of the ship, then in the the first instance theproposed delegation should be discussed with Flotilla/Squadron authoritiesand thereafter with FLEET COMOPS/DCOMOPS. As a guide, such adelegation of conduct will not normally be approved when the unit is tasked asFRE, TAPS, IRF (SM), MT 2.3 (MM) or other periods when the unit readinessis from R2 to RO (inclusive). In submarines approval for conduct to bedelegated with the CO disembarked will only be given in exceptionalcircumstances with the express approval of COMOPS.

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c. Finally, whilst not wishing to be prescriptive in considering appropriate periodsfor delegation, COs should also take into account a variety of factors includinghis ease of return, the programme requirements of the ship and the ability andqualification of the officer to whom conduct is to be delegated, which in mostcases will be the XO. Consideration should also be given to the ability of theship, in his absence, to conduct short notice tasking such as SAR, towingoperations etc. That said, whilst it is recognised that the guidelines above maylimit prospects for the delegation of conduct, occasions such as thosepresented by a ship returning from deployment at R4, will nevertheless still bean ideal opportunity for XOs of sufficient ability to gain experience incommand.

d. The Commanding Officer may delegate the conduct of navigation (seePara 1922) to the Navigating Officer. In delegating this duty, he should take fullaccount of the experience, qualifications, ability and availability of the officernominated for navigating duties and the degree of supervision which maytherefore be required. These factors must be addressed in writing standingorders or memoranda.

e. The Commanding Officer may delegate the conduct of operations in his shipand other units under his command to the Executive Officer (see Para 0901)or to the Principal Warfare Officer (see Para 1901 - 1903) or to the Officer ofthe Watch in Submarines. The limits of this authority are to be qualified ormodified as the Commanding Officer thinks fit, commensurate with theexperience of the relevant officers.

f. For further advice, with particular emphasis on navigation matters, see BR 45AMN Vol 4 Chapter 8

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Table 8-1. Guidelines for Delegation of Conduct.

Notes:

1. For SMs, the officer delegated Conduct, even with the CO on board, must havepassed SMCC/CQ1 and be appointed to that SM.

2. The Intention signal should normally be in free-text signal form to CINCLFEET, infoCINCFLEET PORTSMOUTH.

Circumstances of intended

delegation of Conduct

Qualifications of officer delegated Conduct

Action-Internal Action-Extended Remarks

CO remaining onboard

NWC/BWQ PE1

Write Sea Order Book

Nil

CO not onboard but in close proximity to the vessel and able to return at short notice

CQ1 PE1 Write Sea Order Book

Nil CO conducting fishery protection boarding operations, or visiting another in vessel in close proximity (within 10nm).

CO not onboard and unable to return to ship at short notice

CQ1 PE1 Write Sea Order Book

Discuss matter with Flotilla/Squadron and FLEET COMOPS/DCOMOPS.

Only in exceptional circumstances for Submarines and with COM(OPS)’ express approval.

Signal intention to CINCFLEET2 (COMOPS) (Info OPCON/Flotilla).

Should not normally be sought for periods as FRE, TAPS, IRF (SM), MT 2.3 (MM) and other periods when the readiness is from R2 to R0 (inclusive).

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0803. Charge of the Ship

1. The safe conduct of the ship at sea is vested by the Commanding Officer in the Officerof the Watch, who alone can have ‘charge of the ship’. (See 0809.1 sub para b) TheCommanding Officer is to ensure that any person so employed is competent to assumethe duties laid down in Chapter 30 and [From 1 Feb 2002] holds a valid Navigational WatchCertificate (NWC) and Platform Endorsement (PE), is in date for the relevant medical testsrequired by BR 1750, Handbook of Naval Medical Standards, particularly regardingeyesight standards. Charge of the ship returns to the Commanding Officer at any time heso directs, and automatically should he give any conning order either directly or throughanother person. In such circumstances the Commanding Officer must ensure that there isa clearly understood division of responsibilities on the bridge.

2. Officer of the Watch. The OOW is accountable to the Commanding Officer for thesafety of the ship in all its aspects, but is functionally subordinate to the Navigating Officerfor the execution of the navigational plan (see Para 1924 - 1925). The full duties of theOOW and his relationships with NO and PWO are laid down in Chapter 30 andChapter 19. These relationships must be amplified by the Commanding Officer in hisstanding orders bearing in mind the experience, training, ability and availability of each.Such orders must also amplify the requirements of 1925 sub para 2 to reflect the ship’smanning and operational roles.

3. Delegation of Charge. In delegating charge of the ship, the Commanding Officermust, in his standing orders, take account of the circumstances in which such charge mightbe relinquished (see 3001 sub para 2). In particular, the Navigating Officer may require totake charge of the ship and become OOW in the course of pilotage. Additionally there maybe circumstances of such urgency (such as imminent risk of collision or grounding) thatthe Executive Officer, or an experienced Navigating Officer if authorized in Captain’sorders, may take charge of the ship from the OOW without first consulting theCommanding Officer.

4. Personnel Undergoing Practical Training. An officer or rating undergoing practicaltraining in the duties of the Officer of the Watch on the bridge of any ship at sea, or in thecontrol room of a dived submarine, who has not yet been awarded their NWC or is not yetconsidered by the Commanding Officer as being sufficiently competent to be left alone incharge of the ship or submarine, is to be supervised by a ticketed officer of experience whowhilst not taking the ship or submarine out of the hands of the officer or rating undersupervision, except in case of emergency, is to see that all orders given by him are correctand safe. In these circumstances the supervising officer is the Officer of the Watch and theofficer or rating being supervised is his subordinate: and is to be known as the SecondOfficer of the Watch. The duties of the Second Officer of the Watch are as prescribed bythe OOW to provide the best assistance appropriate to the situation.

5. Foreign Naval Officers. No officer of a foreign navy who may be borne assupernumerary is to be placed in charge of the ship. (see Para 0339 on officers of theRoyal Navy borne additional.)

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6. Officer of the Watch - Station. The Officer of the watch is normally to be stationed atthe primary conning position. Where, however, the Captain deems that the Officer of theWatch can temporarily discharge his responsibilities for the safety of the ship moreefficiently from some other station, he may give directions accordingly. The primaryconning position in a submarine is the bridge when on the surface and the control roomwhen dived.

7. There may be occasions, for example when proceeding in a fog, when the Officer ofthe Watch may not be able to obtain sufficient and timely information to acceptautomatically the responsibility for the ship’s safety. When such a potentially dangeroussituation exists, the Captain should be prepared to relieve him of these responsibilities.(See also 3003.4 sub para a and 1925. sub para 3.)

8. Threat of Attack. When the ship is under threat of enemy attack (or on otheroccasions such as peacetime exercises) the Captain may arrange to direct operationsthrough the officer in charge of the operations room. This officer is then to be known as thePrincipal Warfare Officer. At no time may the Principal Warfare Officer take the ship out ofthe charge of the Officer of the Watch or absolve him from his responsibilities as laid down.

0804. Succession to Command

1. An officer appointed to succeed another in command of one of HM ships is, as far aspossible, to make himself acquainted with the state of the ship by going round her with theofficer he is relieving.

2. He is to be furnished with a report, prepared by the head of each department, andapproved by the officer he is relieving in the command, showing all existing defects in therespective departments.

3. Should he be dissatisfied with the general state of the ship, or any part of her, he is toreport the matter to the Commander-in-Chief or senior officer.

4. Formal reports of commissioning or of a new officer assuming command are no longerrequired unless dissatisfied with the general state of the ship.

5. When the Captain is superseded he is to transfer to his successor the originals of allunexecuted orders.

6. On first appointment the Captain is to make himself acquainted with the machinery,weapons and equipment of his ship, with the extent and nature of any repairs or refit theship has recently undergone, and with all the facts necessary to give him a thoroughknowledge of the ship’s capabilities. He is to visit her throughout with the appropriatedepartmental and specialist officers. In ships and submarines under construction, he is tobe accompanied by members of the Integrated Project Team (IPT) and Prime ContractingOrganisation (PCO) Staff. The Commanding Officer is to be furnished with such generalinformation in regard to the ship and equipment as he may require.

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0805. Captain’s Orders

1. The Commanding Officer is to keep a Sea Order Book. This publication givesinstructions to officers concerning the conduct of the ship, operations and navigation, etc.during specific periods of time. Normally this will be in the night watches; equally theCommanding Officer is to write his Sea Order Book on the occasions that he delegatesconduct of the ship to his Executive Officer or other Officers.

0806. Stability and Structural Strength

1. All HM ships are issued with a Stability Statement, the purpose of which is to assurethe Commanding Officer that his ship has satisfactory stability both in the intact anddamaged state. The Captain is to ensure strict observance of any restrictions on thestability statement regarding the working of fuel, salt water ballast and other liquids.Information regarding the jettisoning of topweight and conduct in severe weather and icingconditions can be found in BRs 2170(1), 67, 3000, 3009, MEDSOs Chapter 3 andassociated confidential books.

2. In addition to a Stability Statement, HM surface ships are issued with a Certificate ofSafety – Structural Strength. The purpose of this certificate is to assure the CommandingOfficer that his ship, in its undamaged state, meets satisfactory structural safety standardsand can safely perform her operational duties. Specific structural shortcomings will benoted on the certificate along with any operating restrictions to be exceeded only when hedeems it imperative in an emergency.

0807. Loss of Ship

1. If a ship is wrecked or otherwise lost or destroyed, the Captain or senior survivingofficer is to endeavour to preserve the lives of the crew; and when as many of them aspossible have been saved, he is to make every attempt to save the confidential books andfittings, stores (particularly armament stores which are classified or useful to terrorists),provisions and portable equipment. If confidential books and fittings, etc., cannot besaved, they are, if possible, to be destroyed to prevent them falling into improper hands.This especially applies to a vessel wrecked on a foreign coast.

2. Classified Documents. He is personally to take special care to prevent allcryptographic matter, secret orders, signals and instructions falling into improper hands.Unless their safety is assured, he is to ensure that all secret documents are burned and allmechanical cryptographic material rendered unrecognizable and useless, either byexplosive charge or smashing e.g. with a heavy hammer and disposed of overboard.

3. Passage Arrangements. He is to deploy the crew in the manner most conducive totheir comfort and to economy that the circumstances permit, but as the Ministry of Defenceis, generally speaking, in the best position to make arrangements for the passages fromabroad of officers and men, and the freight of stores, the Ministry of Defence (DGDA Acs8 B/D) is to be consulted before action is taken to send home the ship’s company andstores. He is to place sufficient guards over the stores and provisions saved to preventtheir being embezzled. He is to keep the crew together and to maintain discipline at alltimes.

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4. Lists of Survivors; Ratings Retained, etc. Where a vessel is actually sunk, or isstranded, and salvage operations are abandoned, a list of the survivors should be madeand the crew kept together as far as possible, pending the holding of a board of inquiry orcourt-martial. The ship will be paid off as soon as possible after the court-martial or whenthe main body of her crew arrives in the United Kingdom, whichever is the later. Any ratingswho may be retained for the purpose of guarding stores, or any other necessary purpose,should be transferred to the books of a convenient ship or establishment as from the dateon which the main body of the crew leaves for England, and the Logistics Officer or aresponsible officer is to arrange for payments to be made to the men as necessary.

0808. Action Information Organization

1. The Captain is responsible that the action information organization fulfils efficiently thefollowing functions:

a. Presentation of the available information on the surface, sub-surface, air andadjacent land situations to the command so that the ship or unit may be foughtto the best advantage.

b. Provision to the Officer of the Watch of such available information as he mayrequire for the safe handling of the ship. (See also Chapter 19, Section I.)

0809. Definitions of Terms

1. The definitions in this article relate to terms used in Chapters 8, Chapter 19 andChapter 30, specifically the purpose, accountability and authority of Commanding Officers,Navigating Officers and Officers of the Watch in relation to the safe conduct of the ship atsea.

a. Conduct. The direction of a team or management of a series of tasks in theperformance of a function, e.g. conduct of the ship, conduct of navigation,conduct of operations. Conduct includes planning and may include execution.

b. Charge of the Ship. The authority delegated by the Commanding Officer or theofficer to whom command or conduct has been delegated, to the OOW for thesafety of the ship at sea.

c. Navigation. The process of planning and executing the movement of shipsfrom one place to another. Navigation includes ocean and coastal movementsand pilotage, giving due consideration to problems of ship handling andcollision avoidance.

d. Pilotage. Navigation involving frequent or continuous determination of positionor a line of position relative to geographic points, and usually requiring theneed for close attention to the vessel’s draught with respect to the depth ofwater. It is practised in the vicinity of land, dangers, and navigational hazards.

e. Control. The action of a functional superior in issuing instruction and guidancein a clearly defined professional field.

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f. Planning. The predetermination of actions involving people and resources asan integral part of conduct.

g. Execution. The act of putting into effect (the navigation plan, Captain’s ordersetc.).

h. Conning. The act of giving wheel, hydroplane or engine orders.

i. Advising. The act of providing information to assist the recipient in making adecision.

0810. Instructions for Submarines with the Submarine Command Course (SMCC) Embarked

1. The command relationships on board submarines with the SMCC embarked arenecessarily complicated in order to facilitate the required training and assessment.Accordingly, their application and context are described below to provide greater clarityregarding the division of responsibility.

2. Sea Command (See Para 0801) shall at all times remain with the Commanding Officerof the submarine.

3. The Commanding Officer of the SMCC (COSMCC), who shall be CQ1 and hold a SSNPlatform Endorsement, may (in addition to the XO) be delegated Conduct (See Para 0802)in order to allow him to direct the SMCC effectively.

4. The SMCC students will, on occasions when acting as the Duty Commanding Officer(DCO), need to have Charge of the submarine. Accordingly, the CO is to take measuresearly in the Course to satisfy himself that they are in all respects qualified to hold thisstatus. When doing so they will in effect assume the responsiblities of the OOW (See 0803sub para 2) for the safe navigation of the submarine. When the DCO has Charge, thesubmarine’s complement OOW is relieved of his responsibilities, although he shouldcontinue to provide an advisory service to the DCO similar to that he would normally offerthe CO when he had taken Charge.

5. The SMCC includes periods of demanding navigation and the CO is to ensure thatsuch measures as are necessary are in place, including a Navigation Safety Cell whenappropriate, to guarantee the safe navigation of his vessel at all times.

6. Officers appointed for the purposes of the SMCC to a submarine are not to form partof the order of command (See Para 0335).

0811 - 0820. Unallocated

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SECTION II - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

0821. Fleet, Station and Port Orders

1. On commissioning, and during the commission on arrival from sea, the Captain is totake care to obtain, or complete, from the office of the Commander-in-Chief or seniorofficer his copies of the standing orders of the fleet, station or port as appropriate.

0822. Reports of Proceedings

1. The Report of Proceedings (ROP) will continue to be submited to provide an historicalaccount of Fleet activity. Content, submission instructions and internal Fleet HQ staffinghas been rationalised. The MoD Naval Historical Branch is the custodian of the Navalcorporate memory and is charged with collection and retention of appropriate records.ROPs are required by the MoD in order to provide an unbroken record of Royal Navyactivity for policy, procurement and legal purposes. Together with Ship’s Logs they arespecified in the Public Records Act as documents required for permanent preservation.Gaps in, or incomplete, ROPs are creating increasing resource implications throughpayments of compensation. Gaps also prevent the Royal Navy from demonstrating itsrecord of achievement and activity in order to influence Defence policy and procurement.

2. ROPs should consist of a covering letter from the Flag or Commanding Officer, whichgives an overview of the activity, by department, during the period and indicates any areasor issues to which particular attention is drawn. To avoid additional work and in order tocapture copies of original documents the ROP is to be primarily a ‘wrapper’ for all existingsubstantive documents produced by the unit during the period being reported on. Theprinciple that should be applied is that the ROP should allow reconstruction of what theunit did and why. At a minimum, ROPs from HM Ships/Submarines should include a copyof:

a. At Enclosure 1. An extract of the Ship’s Programme from the Ship’s NavigationData Book (RNS 2677 Annex T – Ship’s Narrative).

b. At Enclosure 2. Operational, Exercise, Deployment and Patrol Reports andWar Diaries.

c. Additional Enclosures might include Incident and Ship’s ImmediateInvestigation reports.

3. The RoP should be classified appropriately, normally not higher than SECRET UKEYES ONLY. More highly classified Enclosures should be noted in the covering letter andforwarded separately through appropriate channels; material up to and including TOPSECRET STRAP TWO may be included.

4. ROPs are to submitted by the 2 and 1 * Battlestaffs, HM Ships, Submarines, SquadronCommanders, FAA Squadrons, Commando Units, RFAs and Naval Parties. SquadronCommanders do not need to routinely render ROPs, but should only on completion of adeployment and by exception. Deployed staffs are to issue co-ordinating instructions forthe units under their command, however this does not remove the requirement forindividual units to submit ROPs. Post Operations Reports should be submitted inaccordance with the Operational Directive. ROPs are to be completed at key operationalmilestones (e.g. post deployment, CO supersession), but at least annually. Fleet List ofReturns will be amended to reflect this change.

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5. ROPs with full Enclosures are to be submitted electronically direct to the MoD NavalHistorical Branch for MoD action and acknowledgement. RFAs are to submit currentreports to RFA bureau from where they will be forwarded onto the MoD Naval HistoricalBranch.

ROPs with only those Enclosures deemed appropriate are to be submitted direct to COM(Ops) at Northwood for Fleet staffing and acknowledgement. Additionally they should becopied to the OPCON authority (if delegated from COM (Ops)) and the relevant FleetWaterfront Organisation. These instructions do not remove the responsibility to submitrecords as required by other authorities for Weapon firings, Incidents, Exercises andTrials.

0823. Captain’s Rounds

1. The Captain is to visit periodically all machinery spaces, as well as all other ordinaryaccessible parts of the ship.

0824. Inspection of Books and Records

1. The Captain is to ensure books and records are kept and inspected in accordance withFLAGO 0715.

0825. Education

1. Responsibility for the education of their ship’s company rests with CommandingOfficers of all ships and establishments, details of which, including resettlementinformation, are contained in BR 1797, Further Education, Voluntary Training andResettlement Information.

J.0826.Resettlement on Retirement or Discharge

1. The resettlement service is designed to give assistance to all officers, ratings, soldiersand airmen with their resettlement in civilian life. Details of the service are given inBR 1797 and any further information required may be obtained from Service educationalauthorities.

2. The resettlement service

a. Provides for all ranks information and advice on all matters affecting theirresettlement.

b. Emphasizes the need to prepare for eventual return to civilian life by use of theeducational and training facilities provided during service life and after leavingthe Service.

c. Provides personal resettlement interviews for officers, ratings, soldiers andairmen.

3. Commanding Officers are responsible for ensuring that information and advice on allaspects of resettlement in civil life are available to all ranks at any time during their service.

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0827. Service in the Same Establishment as a Near Relative

1. As a general rule, naval personnel should not be employed in the same establishmentas a near relative if:

a. One is an officer and one a rating.

b. Both being ratings, there is a great difference between their rates.

c. Their work is such that they are likely to be brought in touch with each other incarrying out their duties.

2. When it is not possible for a husband and wife to be employed in the sameestablishment, endeavour will be made to appoint or draft one party to a nearbyestablishment, but this cannot be guaranteed.

3. It must be clearly understood that the interests of the Service take primaryconsideration in this situation. A Commanding Officer may represent to the appointing/drafting authority any case which appears to contravene this instruction.

J.0828.Testimonials

1. The publication of laudatory orders when an individual leaves his ship, establishmentor unit, or when they relinquish an appointment is forbidden.

2. Written testimonials may be provided by Commanding Officers and other seniorofficers only at the request of those who are about to leave the Service or have recentlyleft it. In this connection, attention is drawn to BR 8373, Officers’ Career Regulations andBR 8748 Ratings Terms of Service.

0829. Operational Deployment of Naval Personnel Under 18 Years Old

1. The UK Government is a signatory to the Optional Protocol II to the UN Conventionon the Rights of the Child, which requires member States to take all feasible measures toavoid direct participation in hostilities by personnel who have not yet attained the age of18. However, this would not exclude the deployment of naval personnel under the age of18 to take a direct part in hostilities in the following circumstances:

a. there is a genuine military need to deploy their unit or ship to an area in whichhostilities are taking place; and

b. by reason of the nature and urgency of the situation it is not practicable towithdraw such persons before deployment; or to do so would undermine theoperational effectiveness of their ship or unit and thereby put at risk thesuccessful completion of the military mission and/or the safety of otherpersonnel.

2. The overarching principle is thus to avoid direct participation in hostilities by suchpersonnel whenever possible. Further guidance to Commanding Officers is set out inPLAGOs Chapter 1.


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SECTION III - ORGAIZATION

0841. Scheme of complement

The established number of officers and men in a ship under various conditions is laid downin the scheme of complement, copies of which are supplied to the Captain. The Captain isto take care that any amendments issued subsequently are noted immediately in allcopies.

0842. Divisions

1. The divisional system under the Commanding Officer and heads of department, is anintegral part of the chain of command for the management of the ship or establishment, aswell as being an organization for caring for the well-being of the ship’s company. Divisionsshould therefore be organized on functional lines, i.e. the officer who supervises a man’swork should be the Divisional Officer. However, when there is need for continuity in casesof men liable to change their jobs frequently, they may be allocated permanently to oneDivisional Officer.

2. The Captain is to organize the ship’s company, exclusive of the Royal Marines, intodivisions, and is to appoint an officer in charge of each division, who is to have under hisorders as many other officers as necessary to ensure that all junior officers are involved indivisional work. Each division is to have at least one Divisional Warrant Officer, Chief PettyOfficer or Petty Officer, who must be assigned to the task and be directly responsible tothe Divisional Officer. There is no objection to a Warrant Officer being made a fullDivisional Officer for junior rates where the organization lends itself to this, but it must notbe done at the expense of providing divisional experience to young officers.

3. The Captain is to delegate command and responsibility to each Divisional Officer tothe fullest extent possible, and is to see that each one conforms to the instructions forDivisional Officers (Chapter 18). He is to encourage the officers and senior ratings ofdivisions, on whose zeal and capability the efficiency of junior ratings depends, to take akeen interest in the training, advancement and welfare of the ratings under their charge.

4. Divisions should, as far as is practicable, be organized so that no Divisional Officershould have more than twenty-five to thirty ratings in his division. Divisions may be dividedinto sections according to the duties of the department, under the Divisional WarrantOfficers, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers.

0843. Religious Observances

1. The Captain is primarily responsible for the encouragement of religious observance inhis ship or establishment and should make it his concern that his officers, Warrant Officers,Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers set an example which will ensure that religiousobservance is not regarded as of secondary importance.

2. Divine Service. Except in emergency, or where operational requirements absolutelypreclude it, the Captain is to ensure that time is set aside for officers and ratings to conductreligious observance according to their religion or belief.

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3. While the responsibility for encouraging religious observance in his ship orestablishment rests primarily with the Captain, the example given by officers is ofparamount importance in leading others to observe the requirements and obligations oftheir respective religion or belief; all officers of practising faith should give this lead byparticipating in such religious observance.

4. The regulations regarding work on Sundays (see Para 7506) are to be applied tomajor Holy Days (Good Friday and Christmas Day).

0844. General Duties

1. The Captain is to arrange the day-to-day general duties of the ship or establishmentso that all men bear their share as far as departmental responsibilities of the differentbranches permit and so that necessary work out of normal working hours, whetherdepartmental or general, is shared as evenly as possible.

2. He is to take care that officers and senior specialist ratings responsible for the efficientoperation of the various quarters are not employed on work which is detrimental to theirspecial duties, and that the employment of ratings and Royal Marines on general duties isgoverned by the necessity of ensuring that the fighting equipment is maintained in anefficient state.

3. In HM ships the additional tasks of general ship cleanliness, storing andammunitioning ship in harbour, and assistance with general evolutions at sea are to beapportioned between departments according to the following criteria:

a. The number of eligible ratings available within each department at the time.

b. Other essential departmental tasks required to be carried out concurrently.

4. Apprentices, when borne in HM ships, are eligible to take part in general evolutionsand ship cleanliness tasks.

0845. Communal Duties

1. Communal duties in HM ships are to be undertaken by all departments in proportionto the total number of ratings allowed.

2. A list showing the assessed communal duties for which allowance is made will beincluded in the Quarter Bill (Form S.255) for each ship. Provision of the full allowance willbe subject to the availability of accommodation and it will not always be possible to providethe full number of personnel for the prescribed tasks.

3. The Captain is to ensure that the employment of ratings on communal duties is notdetrimental to their efficiency in the specialized duties of their own branches or categoriesand their future prospect of advancement. The period spent on communal duties shouldnot normally exceed a total of 6 months during a period of 18 months (employment of FAAtechnical ratings is subject to the provisions of AP(N) 140, Article 2801, paragraph 3). Thisperiod may be exceeded by volunteers for particular duties requiring special training, e.g.laundrywork. To ensure that ratings do not undergo more than their fair share of suchduties the periods during which they are employed full-time on communal duties are to berecorded on RORRS together with duties performed.

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4. No allowance will be made in the assessed communal duties for mess decks, flats andheads and bathroom sweepers, and such duties shall be undertaken by all departments.

5. Apprentices, when borne in HM ships, should not be employed on communal dutiesbut should take part in general evolutions and ship cleanliness tasks.

0846. Promulgation of Orders

1. The Captain is to take care that copies of any new orders concerning the ship’scompany are displayed in some accessible place for at least a week.

2. When such orders affect particular duties he is to ensure that the ratings concernedare thoroughly instructed in them by the appropriate officers.

0847. Watch and Station Bill and Quarter Bill

1. As stated on the Quarter Bill (Form S.250), one copy of which is supplied oncommissioning, the stationing of the ship’s company at any degree of readiness is theresponsibility of the Captain. The Captain is to cause the Watch and Station Bill (FormS.250), or Station and Fire Bill (Form S.250a), which are supplied blank on commissioning,to be completed and used as far as applicable to the ship. They are to be distributed asnecessary to ensure maximum efficiency, the officers to whom they are issued beingresponsible for keeping them corrected and for transferring them to their successors onleaving the ship. See also Para 0902.

0848. Libertymen

1. An ‘open gangway’ should normally be allowed whenever leave is given in shoreestablishments and in ships alongside at naval and commercial ports at home and abroad.No restrictions should be placed on this privilege, except those necessitated by localconditions, such as security considerations. At naval ports, local orders should prescribethe times between which ‘open gangway’ is allowed, and any special local restrictionsupon the privilege. At commercial ports the senior officer present should consult the localauthority concerned and impose such restrictions as may be necessary. See alsoPara 3424.

2. Commanding officers are to ensure

a. That their ships’ companies understand that any abuse of this privilege of‘open gangway’ by smuggling or similar offences may cause the privilege tobe withdrawn from the ship or establishment or, if abuse is widespread, fromall ships alongside or establishments in the port.

b. That libertymen are warned that they must proceed directly to the gates andare forbidden to loiter, enter workshops, or interfere in any way with dockyardwork.

c. That adequate arrangements are in force at all times to ensure that only thoseentitled to proceed ashore do so; this is not a matter for which the Ministry ofDefence Police have any responsibility.

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3. It is at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief whether the privilege of ‘opengangway’ should be given to Juniors and Artificer Apprentices at the Juniors’ and Artificers’training establishments and to ratings undergoing Part I or Part II New Entry training inother training establishments, or whether a system of ‘liberty boats’ should be adopted forsuch ratings. ‘Open gangway’ should normally be allowed to the permanent complement,instructors and any other ratings under training in such establishments.

0849. Health Precautions

1. The Captain is to see that the men understand the importance of personal cleanlinessand that they make proper use of the ablution facilities provided for them.

2. He is to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard the health ofofficers and men and to prevent disease.

3. He is to ensure that all possible precautions are taken to prevent the entry of rats intothe ship, particularly abroad, and endeavour at all times to exterminate such rats and otherpests as may be found on board. Guidance is contained in Form D.355.

4. Whenever it becomes necessary to improvise accommodation for officers and meneither ashore or afloat, he is to request the services of a Medical Officer to make a priorinspection and to report on the proposed accommodation.

0850. Physical Training and Sport

1. The Captain is to encourage the promotion and organization of sporting activities ona broad and balanced basis to allow all officers and men the opportunity for fullparticipation in games, sports, adventurous training and other forms of recreation.Selection for the Combined Services, the Royal Navy or a command area representativeteam should be regarded as an integral part of full participation in this connection and is tobe high priority. Permission to participate should only be refused to those selected whenService requirements are overriding.

2. Attention is drawn to Para 8721 regarding duty-status when undertaking sporting andrecreational activities.

0851. First Aid Training

1. The Captain is to ensure that a sufficient proportion of the ship’s company is trainedin first aid in accordance with the provisions of Para 7703.

0852. Posting Sentries

1. The Captain is responsible that when a sentry is posted, the officer or rating postingthe sentry defines clearly the purpose for which he is posted and the extent of his post.

2. When in special circumstances the sentry is armed and ammunition is issued to him,his orders are to be read to him at the beginning of his watch. These are to be in writingand are to follow the model orders in BR 8988, The Naval Manual of Military TrainingOperations and Tactics, Chapter 1; they are to include precise instructions regarding theloading and use of firearms, the accounting for ammunition and the sentry’s posting andrelief.

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0853. Working Parties

1. The Captain is to take care that detached working parties are placed in the specificcharge of an officer or senior rating as appropriate, assisted as necessary by an adequateproportion of other more junior officers and leading ratings or above. When Royal Marinesform part of a detached working party, a non-commissioned officer is to accompany themif possible.


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SECTION IV - LOGISTICS DUTIES(See also Chapter 12)

0861. Public Money

The Captain is responsible for verifying the balance of public money in the hands of theLogistics Officer and is to comply with the detailed instructions contained in BR 1997,Naval Cash Regulations, which publication also defines his responsibilities in regard todemands for money, banking accounts, approval of payments and the procedure to befollowed on the death or removal of the Logistics Officer. (See also Para 1216 - LogisticsOfficer (Cash).)

0862. Payments Made Under Captain’s Authority

Payments for services not immediately connected with the Logistics Officer’s duties will beallowed on the production of satisfactory vouchers, but the amounts will be chargedagainst the Captain should there be any irregularity or deficiency in the vouchersattributable to him, or should he have sanctioned an excessive or improper expenditure.

0863. Persons Authorized to Pay and Receive

1. Only an officer of the Logistics specialization or other properly delegated officer isnormally authorized to make payments or to receive unpaid money or moneys for banking,discharges, safe custody, and other purposes; monetary transactions with any otherperson, except as is hereinafter indicated, will not be recognized and will be at the officer’sor rating’s own risk.

2. The Logistics Officer may, with the Captain’s approval, delegate authority as laid downin BR 1997, Naval Cash Regulations, Article 2.07. to those personnel who are required topay and receive public money in the performance of their duty.

3. The Captain is to ensure that money transactions are conducted only by strict Servicemethods and that Form S.6 is kept conspicuously exhibited, both in the pay office and inother appropriate places where money is paid or received. He is to ensure in addition thatnames of those officers and ratings authorized to pay and receive moneys under Clauses1 and 2 are also authorized and exhibited by Captain’s Temporary Memorandum.

0864. Non-Public Funds

The responsibility of the Captain in connection with the initiation, conduct and audit of allnon-public funds (also known as Service funds) is laid down in BR 18, AccountingInstructions for Service Funds, to which he is to give special attention.

0865. Stores

1. In regard to his general responsibility for the demand, custody, survey and issue ofstores, the Captain is to be guided by the instructions in Chapter 12 of these Regulations,in BR 5, Naval Catering Manual, in JSP 336, Stores Accounting and Storekeeping Manual,in BR 96A, Stores Procedures for Materiel obtained by RNASs via the RAF Central SupplySystem, in BR 1032, Naval Armament Store Accounting, and such other specialinstructions as may be issued.

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2. When officers in charge of stores are to be relieved, the Captain is to ascertainwhether their accounts have been kept in accordance with the regulations and arecomplete. Should this not be the case, the Captain is to report the circumstances to theadministrative authority.

3. His approval is required on all surveys of stores or equipment. Should he dissent fromthe recommendations of the surveying officers, he is to state his reasons either on thereport or by separate letter.

0866. Logistics Officer’s checks and controls

The Captain is to satisfy himself, that all aspects of the Logistics department are beingconducted in a correct and efficient manner. An occasional inspection of BR 93, LogisticsDepartment Checks and Controls will assist assessment of the overall state of theLogistics department and specific duties of Logistics Officers and officers carrying outLogistic duties as laid down in Chapter 12.


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SECTION V - WEAPONS AND WEAPON SYSTEMS

0881. Readiness for Operations

1. The Captain is to keep the ship at such notice for operations as is dictated by the ShipsReadiness State. In time of war or strained relations he is responsible for ensuring that, inharbour or at sea, the ship is kept in the state of preparedness for action determined bythe risk of attack.

0882. Naval Magazine and Explosives Regulations

1. The Captain is to take care that the orders contained in JSP 862, MoD MaritimeExplosives Regulations, are strictly carried out.

2. The Captain is to take care that the ammunition and explosive stores supplied areused only with due regard to the safety precautions laid down in the relevant publications.

3. All failures, misfires, defects, incidents or accidents resulting in damage to or droppingof an armament store are to be reported in accordance with the instructions in JSP 862,MoD Maritime Explosives Regulations, Chapter 11.

0883. Ammunition Expenditure

1. The Captain is to cause the quantities of ammunition and stores specified for practiceto be expended according to the instructions laid down.

2. Both in peace and war he is not to suffer the quantity of service ammunition to bereduced below the level prescribed in FLOOs Vol 1 Article 11401, except in action with anenemy.

3. Periodic expenditure reports co-ordinated by the Logistics Officer from the records ofSpecialist User Officers are to be rendered (see Chapter 28).

0884. Drills, Exercises and Tests

1. The Captain is to take care that the prescribed drills and exercises are carried out aslaid down in the appropriate publications and that they are reported accordingly. He is toensure that the weapon system performance tests are carried out at the required times andthat weapon systems are maintained at the appropriate degree of readiness.

2. He is to exercise the ship’s company at action stations by day and night often enoughto maintain a high standard of efficiency. He is also to exercise the ship’s company indefence and cruising watches for protracted periods, as frequently as necessary tomaintain a high standard of efficiency when the ship is at the lower degrees of readiness.

3. See Para 7210 in relation to exercises, etc., in foreign territorial waters.

4. He is responsible for establishing that it is safe to conduct any weapon firings from hisship or from aircraft operating from his ship. In circumstances where the ship’s ownsensors alone do not allow the full range area to be cleared, he may use an airborneobserver as an extension of the ship’s sensors or may delegate the assessment of rangeclearance to another competent person such as a Range Safety Officer.

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0885. Weapon Defects

1. The Captain is to report to the Commander-in-Chief, any defect which may arise inweapon, radio or other tactical equipment which seriously affects the fighting efficiency ofthe ship, stating the supposed cause of the defect and all relevant factors. The Opdefsignal format detailed in Fleet Engineering Orders is to be used. Where questions of anyimportance affecting the design or efficiency of weapon equipment arise out of anydamage or defect, the Captain is to cause the Weapon Engineer Officer to carry out aninspection and to report to him on the damage and the probable cause. The WeaponEngineer Officer is to consult the Operations Officer if there is any suggestion that thedamage or defect was caused by faulty operation of the equipment.

2. Should the defect cause serious structural damage, injury to personnel or damage tothe system to such an extent that major repairs or replacement are necessary, theequipment is to be left as nearly as possible in the condition in which it was foundimmediately after the defect was discovered, pending an investigation, which is to be heldat once, into the cause of the defect. The investigation is be conducted in accordance withprocedures laid down in Fleet Engineering Orders, FLAGOs Chap 16 and QRRN Chap 57.

3. In any report referring to weapon equipment, the correct nomenclature is always to beused in describing details, and the numbers and distinguishing marks are to be given infull.

4. Failures of weapon equipment, whether mechanical, electrical or electronic, whichoccur during action firings, at drill or at any other times are to be reported on Form S.2022.

0886. Precautions to be Taken When Working on Power-Operated Gun Mountings, etc.

1. The attention of all personnel is to be drawn to the dangers inherent when working onor approaching any power-operated equipment, such as directors, radars, gun mountings,ammunition hoists, and guided weapon launchers when power is on.

2. The Captain is to take appropriate measures to remind the ship’s company at regularintervals of the urgent need to observe meticulously the safety precautions laid down inthe relevant handbooks.

3. While the Captain has general responsibility for safety in his ship, he is to allowcontractors’ representatives who are under the contract responsible for installation, testingor other tasks on board in respect of equipment delivered, to take charge of such work andto indicate the necessary safety precautions required. The Captain, or the appropriateship’s officer, is nevertheless to draw the contractors’ representatives’ attention to anypoints relevant in his view to safe methods of work or operation.

0887 - 0890. Unallocated.

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SECTION VI - SHIP UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

0891. Upkeep in the Fleet and Submarine Operating Programmes

1. The Captain is to be very diligent in ensuring the ship is available to meet itsoperational commitments. He is to delegate the task of planning all upkeep work to theEngineer Officers and is to see that all defects are corrected expeditiously. In ships withoutan Engineer Officer, work is to be planned under the direction of the Warship SupportAgency (WSA) and CINCFLEET staff.

2. Maintenance periods will be allocated in the Fleet Operations Schedule. On theoccasions when maintenance or repair activity is beyond the capability or capacity of ship’sstaff, the Captain is to request assistance in accordance with the instructions in FleetEngineering Orders.

0892. Dockyard Work

1. The Captain is to ensure that his Engineer Officers are stringent when preparing thework package for programmed upkeep periods to be undertaken by contract in a dockyardor ship repair yard. Instructions for compiling the work package and the general conductof programmed upkeep periods are given in BR 8593 (Series), Ship Refit, Repair,Maintenance and Associated Procedures.

2. The contract for work will be managed by the WSA. Every facility is to be offered toWSA representatives in the preparation of the work specification prior to Contract StartDate (CSD) and in the monitoring of the progress of work during the contract. Similarassistance is to be afforded to the contractor carrying out the work and such trials as arenecessary to prove that the ship is in all respects ready for sea on the date prescribed forsea trials.

0893. Contract Acceptance

1. In order to standardize arrangements for accepting ships back into service after majorupkeep periods, the authorities responsible for conducting inspections and acceptanceprocedures will be as follows:

a. Ready for sea date (RSD). This is the responsibility of CINCFLEET.

b. Contract progress monitoring and acceptance. This is the responsibility of theWSA.

c. Operational Date Material Assessment (ODMA). This is the responsibility ofCINCFLEET and will be conducted by his representative.

0894. Completion Reports

1. Before sailing for sea trials at the end of a major upkeep period, the Captain is toobtain a “Certificate of Safety and Stability” and a “Certificate of Safety and StructuralStrength” for surface ships, or a safe to dive certificate for submarines. He is also to signForm D.237a (Report on Completion of Upkeep Period). If the Captain does not concurfully with any report prepared and presented as part of the completion and acceptanceprocedure, he is to report in writing to the Commander-in-Chief the points on which hedissents.

0895. Unallocated

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SECTION VII - NEW CONSTRUCTION SHIPS AND SUBMARINES

0896. Standing by Responsibilities

1. Fairly early in the construction of new ships and submarines an officer will beappointed as the senior officer, normally the MEO. The Commanding Officer will assumethe duties of senior officer on appointment.

2. The duties and administrative responsibilities of Senior Officers standing by surfaceships are laid down in Standing By Orders and for Submarines in Submarine GeneralMemorandum.

3. It is emphasised that until the ship or submarine is formally accepted into naval serviceit remains contractually the responsibility of the shipbuilder.

4. The senior officer is to ensure that officers standing by monitor the progress ofconstruction and setting to work and is to bring to the attention of the appropriateIntegrated Project Team (IPT) any shortcomings in the construction or design of the vessel.
