UEO SEAQUEST
DSV 4600

SHIP'S SERVICE AND ORGANIZATION MANUAL
SHIP OPERATIONS

Authority, Responsibility and Duties of Ship's Captain The Commanding officer (CO) is ultimately responsible for everyone and everything on board ship. The job is threefold in nature. First, to carry out the mandates of the UEO; second, to protect the lives and safety of the crew and all other persons on board; and third, to maintain the seaworthiness and military capability of the vessel. In the fulfillment of these aims, he is charged with obeying all the laws of navigation and the statutes regulating ships and sea-going matters. A failure to do so can result in removal of command, disciplinary action and civil penalties. The job of a submarine commander is even more challenging. Out of contact with command for a large part of the tour, he is often required to act on his own initiative, displaying creativity and individuality in results.   Organizational Structure of UEO Vessels The Executive Officer (XO), the next senior officer in rank to the Captain, reports directly to the Captaint. He is in operational control of the ship, coordinating the administrative and training activities of the ship and setting the watch roster. Usually only a tour of duty or two away from his own command. The Chief of Boat (COB) is the most senior Chief Petty Officer on board. The immediate supervisor of the enlisted crew, he is responsible for ship's morale and crew welfare, in a very real and hands-on way. He is the enlisted man's voice in command decisions and, like the XO, reports directly to the Captain. Each crew is divided into six departments: Engineering Navigation Combat Systems Operations Medical Supply The first four are led by the most senior officers aboard, ranking just below the XO. Junior officers are assigned to each department as division leaders. Divisions are responsible for specific areas or tasks onboard the sub. The crew is further divided into three six-hour watches or work periods. Each watch party works for six hours and is off for twelve hours. However, in addition to this structured work, each watch stander is required to put in overtime as needed. Watches are as follows: 0600 to 1200 1200 to 1800 1800 to 2400 2400 to 0600 Each watch is headed by the Officer of the Deck (OOD) who is responsible for running the ship during his watch, aided by the Engineering Officer of the Watch. The CO or XO may take command at any time during any watch for any reason. The OOD has control of the bridge during this time, the EOW handles the engineering spaces, supervising the reactor plant operation and propulsion. Seagoing tradition mandates that watchstanders report for duty fifteen minutes before the watch commences for a briefing. Make sure you understand every aspect of the previous watch period before formally relieving your predecessor. When your relief arrives at the end of the watch, explain everythingin sufficient detail to ensure a smooth transition. Know who your relief is and where he is bunking so that if the need arises to arouse him, it can be done with a minimum of disturbance to others in the room. After being relieved of watch duty, remain available for several minutes in case questions concerning your watch arise. Each watch is composed of helmsmen (steer the ship), throttlemen (control the engines), sonar operators (listen for what's out there), reactor operators (control the power), missile technicians (maintain & launch weapons), radio operators (monitor for contact with shore command) and electricians (supply power from the reactor to the ship). Watchstanders are to remain at their stations fortheir entire watch. Every unqualified sailor can expect to spend a number of watches manning the helms positions, under the direct supervision of the Diving Officer. As a semi-automated, 'last man standing', state of the art sea-going vessel, every crewperson is required to have a working knowledge of every other watch station on the ship and feel competent to take over another's duties in case of emergency. This is an essential part of qualification.

ENGINEERING Run by the Chief Engineer, usually the senior-most officer after the XO and next in line for promotion to the position of XO on another sub. There are three distinct divisions in Engineering Auxiliary Electrical Reactor The people who work in Engineering are traditionally known as 'nucs' (as opposed to the 'pukes' who work forward of the reactor). They are responsible for keeping the ship moving, tending to the propulsion and power producing systems. SeaQuest possesses a nuclear fusion power plant, closed system, heating water to run the electrical plant, producing power for the entire ship. It utilizes tritium, extracted from the seawater as needed. Some of the power produced is stored in battery arrays located in the fore and aft Battery Compartments on decks B and C. The Battery compartments also contain the auxiliary machinery needed to support life onboard. Here can be found the equipment needed for atmospheric control; air conditioning, CO2 scrubbers and burners to remove air-born impurities, and the Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (EOG) to crack pure, distilled water into it's component elemental gases, venting the hydrogen out the hull. This is also where the ballast pumps are located and the distillation equipment to provide potable water for day to day use.   AUXILIARY Machinist Mates (MM). So-called A-gangers. They work in the Auxiliary Machine Rooms (AMR) and they keep the mechanical systems working. In addition, they are responsible for maintaining the emergency diesel engine and for ensuring that the ballast pumps are in working order. Without the ballast pumps, it would be impossible to move water in and out of the ballast tanks, rendering the submarine incapable of diving or surfacing.   ELECTRICAL Electrician's Mate (EM). Keep the electrical power plant going at optimum levels for the power expenditure needed. Also responsible for all electrical systems throughout the boat. They constantly monitor, troubleshoot & repair electrical equipment.   REACTOR Manned by Reactor Operators (RO), the Reactor division is further divided into three subdivisions. Machinery who maintain the ship's main propulsiont plant, secondary cooling loop and support equipment; Reactor Controls in charge of the reactor control equipment, protective systems and associated instrumentation; and the Reactor Laboratory Division, who actually operate the reactor and steam plant and monitor radiation levels.

NAVIGATION Run by the Navigation Officer (Nav). One of the more senior officers on the sub. Two divisions: Navigation Electronics (ET) Quartermasters Navigation Electronics Technicians (ET) using the Electrostatic Gyro Navigator (EGN) and Global Position Satellite technology (GPS), supplemented by readings from navigational buoys and periscope readings to determine the ship's position at every moment, relative to both home command and potential targets. They provide long distance targeting information to Weapon Fire Control as well as giving them accuarte and up-to-date positioning data. Quartermasters (QM) plot their position on a map and safely navigating her through coastal or restricted waters using conventional means; radar, soundings and periscope readings.

COMBAT SYSTEMS Headed by the Weapons Officer (Weps), the man entrusted with the final key to arm the warheads. (There are three keys in all, Captain, XO and Weps.) Divided into five divisions: Sensor Fire Control Torpedo Missile Deck   SENSOR Sensor Operators (SO). Using ships in-built sensor arrays in combination with the Wireless Sea Knowledge Satellites (WKRS), Sensor opens a windo to the world around the ship, providing a detailed look at the surrounding waters. They are responsible for detecting, classifying and tracking multiple sound and/or sight contacts at extreme ranges under all conditions. The data collected can be made to feed directly to Weapons Fire Control to provide accurate targeting solutions during times of hostilities.   FIRE CONTROL Fire Control Technician (FT). Bridge source of all weapons' orders. Provides targeting parameters for the ships torpedo and missile launch tubes.   TORPEDO DIVISION Torpedoman Mate or Torpedoman (TM) stand watch in the Torpedo Room, ready to load the tubes the moment the order comes through. They maintain all tube fired ordnance and keep the tubes, themselves, in top working order. In addition, they are required to have a detailed knowledge of all weapons under their supervision, capabilities and requirements.   MISSILE DIVISION Missile Technicians (MT) maintain the mechanical and electrical systems supporting the ballistic missiles. They specialize in the operation of the ship's strategic weapons control system.   DECK DIVISION The only nontechnical division, it's composed of junior personnel responsible for topside maintainance, ensuring the structural integrity of the vessel, as well as painting and preserving the exterior.

OPERATIONS Headed by the Communications officer. Operations is in charge of both internal and external communications, providing a necessary link with Battlegroups or Command. Additionally, Operations is responsible for non-nuclear related electronic equipment maintainance. Three divisions: Radio Interior Communications Electronics   RADIO Radiomen (RM). Operate, maintain and trouble shoot the external comm system.   INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS Interior Communications (IC). Electricians who maintain and repair interior communications and sensor circuits (Alarms & control circuits)   ELECTRONICS Electronic Technicians (ET). Responsible for all electronic equipment on board the ship. Some personnel are trained to operate and maintain the Nuclear Power Plant, while others specialize in Navigations/Electronic support equipment.

MEDICAL The Medical Department, composed of Medical Officers, Hospital Corpsmen (HM) and civilian physicians, is responsible for overseeing the health and welfare of the crew, scheduling routine physical examinations and daily sanitation inspections and supervising the quality of the air, drinking water and food. He checks the radiation exposure of all aboard and stands ready to manage in a medical emergency, be it a simple headache or tonsillectomy, or triaging the victims of an act of war. The military members of the Medical Staff can seek qualification as Chief of Watch or Diving Officer of the Watch in order to provide relief to allow the person on duty time to attend to physical needs or professional calls on his time.

SUPPLY Headed by the Supply and Morale Officer - a very junior position. Responsible for stocking spare parts and enough food to allow the ship to remain underwater and invisible for up to three months without needing to be restocked. Two divisions: Culinary Stores   CULINARY Mess Management Specialists (MS). The Mess Chief (Cookie) plans for five meals a day for the duration of the tour. He and his division order, receive, inspect and stow provisions and must uphold the submarine service's tradition of producing outstanding meals, no matter how long they've been at sea. All non-qualified personnel can expect to find themselves assigned to duty as Food Service Attendants. They will do the "grunt work" in the mess and galley, bussing tables, cleaning up and possibly even some minor cooking or backing, depending on native talent.   STORES Storekeeper (SK). Requisition, receive, stow and issue spare parts as needed for ship's maintainance. They also file, inventory and manage operating funds.

Role of Chief Scientist The Chief Scientist serves as the primary liason between science personnel and the Captain of the ship and is responsible for the organization and execution of the scientific program, overseeing the safety of each science operation. The Captain and Chief Scientist will jointly consider decisions affecting ship's safety and science, choosing a course of action together. In those situations where they do not agree, the Captain's decision will take precedence. The Chief Scientist should make sure that the science complement is adequate to accomplish the mission, asking any member of the science party to help with other programs as long as doing so does not interfer with that person's primary job. At sea, it is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist to see that the science program runs safely and smoothly. Any difficulties, of either a scientific or personal nature, should be brought to the attention of the Chief Scientist immediately.

TECHNICAL SPECIALITIES NEEDED ON A SUBMARINE
Electrician's Mate (EM) Electronics Technician (ET) Fire Control Technician (FT) Interior Communications (IC) Machinist Mate (MM) Missile Technician (MT) Quartermaster (QM) Radioman (RM) Torpedoman's Mate (TM) Sonar Technician (ST) Hospital Corpsman (HM) Mess Management Specialist (MS) Storekeeper (SK)

 

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Modern U.S. Navy SUBMARINES by R> & R. Genat: ©1997
Webpage of the USS CHEYENNE SSN-773; Deparment & Divisions; ©1999
Webpage of the Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA; © 2000

© 2002 K.I. Wolfe