Admiralty references: C.E.60009/49, C.E.60055/49, C.E.60010/50, O. & M.281/50, C. W.7232/52, N.L.723/52

SECTION I. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

3201. General responsibility. The Executive Officer, under the Captain, is responsible for the discipline, training, general organisation and welfare of the ship's company, notwithstanding the direct responsibility of I-leads of Departments to the Captain for the efficiency and technical training of their own departments.

3202. Fighting organisation. The Executive Officer is to superintend the preparation and completion of the Watch and Station Bill by specialist and departmental officers and is responsible, under the Captain, for the damage control organisation and training, in which he is to be guided by B.R. 1294 Damage Control Manual. See also 2981 A.B.C.D. organisation.

3203. Paravane and minesweeping equipment. The Executive Officer, or such other commissioned officer as the Captain may consider suitable, is to be made responsible for the handling of the ship's minesweeps and paravanes.

3204. Magazines and explosives. Under the Captain, the Executive Officer is responsible for the safety of all explosives on board and is to comply with the instructions laid down in B.R. 862 Naval Magazine and Explosives Regulations. See also 3302 (10) and 3344.

3205. Shipwright artificers and artisans. When no Shipwright officer is borne, the Executive Officer is to supervise the work of the Shipwright artificers and artisans and other ratings working under them as laid down in Article 3253.

3206. Precautions at sea. The Executive Officer is responsible to the Captain that hatches are closed and that everything is properly secured on deck before the ship leaves harbour.

2. When the ship is at sea, should he give an order which may place men in a position of danger without previously ascertaining from the Officer of the Watch that the upper deck is safe, he assumes full responsibility for their safety, see 3142 (16).

3207. Joining and leaving routines. It is important that the standing orders of every ship and establishment should provide for a definite routine to be carried out by all officers and ratings joining or leaving the ship. It is necessary to provide for adequate advance notice of discharges being given to all departments concerned, such as regulating, pay, store, victualling and clothing offices, sick bay, etc., and the routine should ensure that all stores on loan, including loan clothing (other than such articles issued on personal loan as are authorised to be retained during service), are withdrawn from officers and ratings before they leave. See 5206 Documents of officers and ratings transferred.

3221 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHERS

SECTION II. THE MASTER-AT-ARMS

3221. Regulating duties-responsibility and authority. The Executive Officer, and the Officer of the Watch when appropriate, are responsible that the Master-at-Arms and regulating ratings carry out the instructions contained in this section.

2. The Regulating Branch includes the Master-at-Arms, Regulating Petty Officers and Leading Patrolmen. Regulating ratings include ratings of the Regulating Branch and others performing or assisting in the performance of regulating duties.

3. Chief petty officers and petty officers of the Executive Branch of the watch on board are to assist the Master-at-Arms and regulating ratings out of working hours, all petty officers being detailed for this duty in turn as part of their normal duties.

4. In the absence of the Master-at-Arms, or where none is borne, his special duties are to be performed by the senior Regulating Petty Officer, or by such other petty or non-commissioned officers as the Captain may appoint.

5. Ratings employed on regulating, patrol or sentry duties are authorised, in the execution of those duties, to give lawful orders to other ratings including those superior to them in rating, see also 1805.

3222. Patrols and escorts. Leading Patrolmen, both ashore and afloat, are to be employed primarily on provost duties and those borne in seagoing ships should normally be so employed when the ship is in harbour. They may be ordered ashore by the Senior Officer to augment standing patrols.

2. Patrols and escorts, when formed of ratings other than Leading Patrolmen, are always to include men below the rating of petty officer or rank of non-commissioned officer, so that no opportunity may be given to a drunken man to strike his superior officer.

3. A petty officer or non-commissioned officer, or the person in charge of a patrol or escort, should not himself arrest a refractory man, except when his assistance has actually become necessary.

4. Patrol armlets are to be worn on the left cuff as follows:

1. On Board. By men temporarily employed on regulating duties while actually on duty.
2. On Shore. By all men employed on regulating or patrol duties while actually on duty.

3223. Regulating ratings-general conduct. The Master-at-Arms is to take care that regulating ratings carry out their duties with firmness and good temper, and that all altercations with excited or drunken men are avoided.

2. Regulating ratings are to take special care to check all bad language, quarrelling, gambling, trafficking and disorderly noise among the ship's company. See 1827 Maintenance of good order.

3224. Men under punishment. The Master-at-Arms is to make himself acquainted with all the summary punishment regulations (Chapter 19, Section V), and he is to see that the punishments awarded are properly carried out.

2. He is to keep the Daily Record of Offences, Form 5.240, in which are to be entered all offences committed by persons (other than Royal Marines) in the ship under the rank of subordinate officer, as well as the punishments awarded to them.

3. Every morning he is to furnish the Executive Officer with a list on Form 5.241 of all men under punishment and of all men in the report whose cases have not been investigated.

4. He is to have the general charge of all persons under or awaiting punishment, until released to duty or disposed of otherwise.

5. He or one of the regulating staff is to visit the men in cells at least once in each watch.

6. In case of fire, or when the ship is otherwise in danger, he is responsible for the release of offenders from custody.

3225. Libertymen. Except when there is an "open gangway" (2961), the Master-at-Arms, or the regulating ratings on duty, are to pass men going on leave out of the ship and, on their return, are to inform the Officer of the Watch when they are ready for inspection.

II. THE MASTER-AT-ARMS 3231

2. When necessary they are to search all boats and boat's crews or men, except chief petty officers, petty officers and leading ratings, returning from leave, see 1853 (4) (d) and 1854 (2) (b).

3226. Musters and reports. The Master-at-Arms is to attend all general musters and account for absentees.

2. He is to prepare muster lists of the ship's company which are to be maintained independently of the ledgers.

3. He is to obtain daily the names of men discharged to duty from the sick list, and he is to take care that the petty officers of the part of the ship to which they belong, and the Regulating Petty Officers, are duly informed thereof.

4. When a patient, other than an officer or a Royal Marine, goes to hospital, the Master-at-Arms is to ensure that a list of his clothes and effects accompanies him.

5. He is to collect and deliver to the Supply Officer the effects of all absentees and deceased men until they are duly disposed of, see 1665 and 2070.

6. He is to be present at all general payments and at the sale of the effects of all deceased men and deserters (1666).

3227. Visits and rounds. The Master-at-Arms is frequently to visit the various parts of the ship to see that due order prevails and that his subordinates are doing their duty. He, or the regulating ratings on duty, are to report to the Officer of the Watch all offences and irregularities in the ship which may come to their knowledge.

2. When the order is given to clear lower deck, he is to see that it is obeyed with alacrity, and that no one remains below unless authorised. When the decks are clear, he is to report the fact to the Executive Officer.

3. He is to go the evening rounds with the officer performing that duty, when he is to be responsible for reporting that keys of storerooms have been returned to the allotted place and that the keyboard sentry reports any keys which have not been returned (2959).

4. He or the regulating ratings on duty are to see that all fires and lights are put out at the proper hours, and that during the night no lights are permitted except those authorised by the Captain. He is to report to the Officer of the Watch when any unauthorised lights are burning.

3228. Spirits. A Regulating Petty Officer is always to be present when the spirit room is opened, and is to remain present until it is closed or until he is relieved.

2. The Master-at-Arms is to keep the Spirit Stoppage book, Form S.76B, in accordance with Article 4928.

3229. Petty Officer of the Day. A petty officer or non-commissioned officer is to be detailed daily for duty in connection with the issue of provisions and spirit. The duty of Petty Officer of the Day is to be taken daily in rotation by all the available petty and non-commissioned officers. The Petty Officer of the Day is always to be present when spirit is being measured off for, or issued to, the ship's company. Any complaint with regard to the measure, issue and quality of spirit is to be made through the Petty Officer of the Day who is to represent the matter to the Officer of the Watch (4923).

3230. Trafficking. The Master-at-Arms and the regulating ratings are to be careful that no public stores, provisions or other articles are improperly taken out of the ship by any person, and are to prevent all traffic in spirits, tobacco or other prohibited articles. See also 4803 (2).

3231. Books and records to be kept. The Master-at-Arms is to keep the record of short leave (4927), the Gangway Victualling and Check Books (4926), and the Gangway Wine Book (2619).

He is to take care that the Gangway Victualling and Check Books are faithfully kept and that the proper sheets are detached and taken daily to the victualling office in sufficient time to enable the men whose names are recorded therein duly to be victualled or checked.

2. He is to keep a record of the address of each man on long leave. See also 2962 (kit lockers), 3224 (punishments), 3226 (muster lists) and 3228 (spirit stoppage).

3. The duties of the Master-at-Arms in connection with mails are laid down in B.R. 1981 Naval Mail Regulations.

3241 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHERS

SECTION III. THE SHIPWRIGHT OFFICER

(See also Chapter 54, Section I and Chapter 55, Section 111)

3241. On first appointment to a ship the Shipwright Officer is to inspect the state of her hull, masts, yards, derricks, davits, awning and guard stanchions, guard rails and ridge ropes; he is responsible that they are kept in a thoroughly serviceable condition and is to inspect them frequently, reporting the result to the Executive Officer.

2. The Shipwright Officer is to be regarded as the competent authority on all hull matters and is responsible for all repairs, modifications, alterations and additions, welding, burning, cutting or drilling connected with the hull structure; he is to be consulted when any of these are required and is to safeguard the strength of the ship's structure and her watertight integrity and stability. In landing ships and landing craft, bow doors, ramps and associated fittings are part of the hull structure.

3242. Ship's structure. He is to take care to keep every part of the ship's structure in the highest possible state of efficiency and will be responsible for remedying all structural defects, reporting at once to the Captain whenever he is of the opinion that any repairs should be taken in hand.

2. He is, jointly with the Engineer Officer, to carry out a continual examination of the ship's structure while the ship is in commission and a quarterly examination of any compartments in which water is liable to accumulate, recording full particulars of these examinations on Form 5.338 and signing the report on Form 5.180 as laid down in B.R. 16 Engineering Manual.

3. He is responsible for the preservation, including the scraping, chipping and coating by both hand and mechanical methods, of such spaces as are not in the charge of the Engineer Officer and is frequently to examine passages giving access to compartments, particularly those in the region of the waterline, to see that they are kept clear so that all parts of the ship accessible through them may be reached instantly if required.

4. Whenever flooding occurs, either by intent, or as the result of accident or damage, the Shipwright Officer is to attend personally whenever possible to see that action is taken to limit and prevent further flooding and to guard against undue stresses in and weakening of the ship's structure, reporting frequently the state of the flooding and damage to the Officer of the Watch and to the Damage Control Headquarters if manned. He is to take particular care to limit " free-surface " flooding, especially when it occurs near the water-line.

5. He is to ensure that fittings which are permanently attached to the hull and on which safety of life depends are examined periodically for flaws or defects and, if there is any doubt, that they are removed, fire-proved and tested. Results of examinations are to be reported on Form S.194.

6. He is responsible for the maintenance and periodical examination of the structure of derricks, davits and similar lifting appliances and that the periodical tests of such structures are carried out; he is to assist the Electrical Officer as necessary in the maintenance and periodical examination and testing of the structure of fitted electrical deck cranes (Chapter 55, Section IV).

7. He is responsible for the watertightness of barbettes and gun turrets and for the securing of gun pedestals where these are secured direct to the hull structure.

8. He is responsible for the custody and care of all drawings of the hull structure and fittings, including the docking plan.

3243. Watertight openings. He is responsible for the repair and maintenance in efficient workingorder of all weather doors and hatches, skylights and ventilators on the weather decks and of all ports and side-scuttles and their fittings. When at sea, he is to arrange that those which should be closed are frequently inspected by himself or his staff to ensure that they are properly secured, their condition being reported during each watch to the Officer of the Watch and to the Damage Control Headquarters if manned (2983).

2. He is to be thoroughly acquainted with the ventilating system of the ship. He, or in his absence, the senior Shipwright Artificer borne, is to be included in the organised ventilation party (2982).

III. THE SHIPWRIGHT OFFICER 3251

3244. Main and domestic services. He is responsible for the sanitary services, from the reducing valve on the firemain, including any gravity tanks, and for the hot and cold fresh water services, from and including the gravity tanks and including any atmospheric-pressure hot-water tanks but excluding power-driven pumps, purifiers, calorifiers and water-heaters subject to steam pressure. He is responsible that all pipes, valves, cocks, drains, sinks, troughs, and sumps, and any manual pumps connected with these services, are kept in efficient working order and that the tanks for main storage and distribution of fresh water are kept in a clean and efficient condition with the covers to their manholes properly secured. He is to take care that all necessary safety arrangements such as open ended supply pipes, open ended expansion pipes, closed expansion chambers, relief valves, &c., where fitted to electric water heater tanks and piping systems are kept efficient and in good order; he is at all times to report at once the absence of safety arrangements.

2. He is to be thoroughly acquainted with the pumping, flooding and drainage systems of the ship and is to see that any manual pumps connected therewith are kept in efficient working order.

3. He is responsible for the drainage systems from the superstructure, weather and other decks, barbettes, heads, bathrooms, galleys and other spaces which drain by gravity through scuppers discharging near or above the light water line, including associated pipes, valves, cocks, sinks, troughs, sumps and storm-valves.

4. He is responsible for the repair and maintenance of galley ranges, cooking equipment and atmospheric hot-water boilers excepting oil-burning and electrical heating component parts.

3245. Fire precautions. He is to see that any sheathing and insulation fitted as protection against fire is kept in good order. He is to ensure that, whenever any of his staff are engaged on welding or burning operations, the regulations for the prevention of fire are strictly observed. See also 2986 (4).

2. In the event of fire he and his staff are to be in attendance in order to render assistance.

3246. Capstans, anchors and cables. He is responsible that all capstans, cable-holders and windlasses, their connecting gear, brakes and deck glands, and all hull fittings associated with the anchors and cables are kept in efficient working order. He is to render all possible assistance in maintaining the anchors and cables in efficient and serviceable condition. See also 5472 and 5532.

3247. Docking. He is responsible that the necessary item and other relevant information concerning the docking of the ship is included in the Defect List, when appropriate.

2. On each occasion of docking he is to examine carefully the ship's bottom, including zinc protectors, for defects and corrosion, and also the rudder and its fittings up to the rudder head, in order that any defects which may have developed may be made good whilst the ship is in dock. He is to ensure that the ship's bottom is properly treated against corrosion and fouling and is to see that the draught marks are correctly marked. See also Chapter 56, Section II.

3248. Boats and fittings. He is to keep the boats, life-floats, ladders, deck coverings and all fittings in as good a condition as possible, always repairing any damage they may sustain as soon as he discovers it.

2. He is to see that the boats and life-floats are tested in accordance with the instructions in Chapter 55, Section V.

3249. Defects. He is to keep accurate account of all defects to the hull, boats and fittings as they may develop and record the steps taken for their repair, either by ship's staff or by the dockyard.

2. In preparing defect lists he is to comply with the instructions in Chapter 56, Section I, and is to prepare them from the information contained in the Record of Defects.

3. He is to take particular care on being superseded, or prior to the ship paying-off for recommissioning or going into Reserve, that full particulars of defects and of outstanding and forthcoming surveys and periodical tests are contained in the Record of Defects (Chapter 57, Sections I and II).

3250. Draught. Before sailing and on arrival in harbour the Shipwright Officer is to report to the Captain, and to the Navigating Officer for entry in the Ship's Log, the draught of water forward and aft.

3251. Keys. He is responsible for the repair and maintenance in good working order of all fitted locks and keys (and their tallies) except those of safes, money chests and confidential book cupboards.

3252 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHERS

After he has received the keys, properly tallied, from the shipbuilder or refitting authority, he is to be responsible for their custody until they are placed on the ship's key-board or delivered to the officers who require them. See also 2959.

3252. Shipwright Department. He is to have charge of all Shipwright Artificers and other ratings borne for duty with or on loan to the Shipwright Department, including those on loan from other ships, establishments or departments, and is to supervise their work, ensuring that their services are fully devoted to the repair and maintenance of the hull, boats and fittings.

2. He is to be the Divisional Officer of the ratings of his department and is to keep under his particular supervision any Shipwright Artificers who are under training and is to see that every opportunity is taken to instruct them in the application of their trade.

3253. Absence of Shipwright Officer. In the absence of the Shipwright Officer, or when no Shipwright officer is borne, his duties are to be undertaken as follows:-

1. If one or more Shipwright Artificers are borne, the Executive Officer is to supervise the work of the Shipwright Artificers and other ratings lent to or borne for duty with them and is to be responsible for seeing that these instructions are observed.
2. In Depot and Repair ships this work is to be supervised by the Principal Repair Officer.
3. If no Shipwright Artificer is borne, the Engineer Officer or senior Engine-Room rating, is to be responsible for the hull equipment specified in the Engineering Manual, the Executive Officer being responsible for compliance with the remainder of these instructions.

3254. Fleet Establishments. The responsibilities in these instructions, whenever circumstances can be interpreted as comparable, are to be applied in Royal Naval shore establishments and repair and maintenance bases.

2. When employed as Barrackmaster the Shipwright Officer is responsible to the Captain for recording and forwarding Vote 8 and Vote 10 defects to the appropriate authorities and for co-ordinating and preparing all major, minor and reserve works proposals and fleet shore machinery proposals for the establishment and attached properties.

3. He is to requisition the appropriate authorities for the repair, maintenance, preservation and glazing of the buildings and attached properties and all their supply, domestic and communication services and also of roads, pavements, fences, jetties, fire appliances and trees. See also Clause 1.

4. The Shipwright Officer is responsible for the hull repairs, docking and slipping of landing, coastal and servicing craft when these are undertaken at naval establishments or bases, being answer-able to the Captain that these duties are efficiently performed.

5. He is to be the Dockmaster of any naval-manned floating-dock, graving-dock or slipway attached to his establishment or base and is in charge of and responsible for it and its equipment and crew. After each vessel has been secured in the dock or slipway, preparatory to docking or slipping, he will be responsible for her accurate positioning and for her safety, in so far as any movements in or connected with the dock or slipway are concerned, until she is again waterborne.

IV. THE COMMISSIONED BOATSWAIN 3269

SECTION IV. THE COMMISSIONED BOATSWAIN

(See also Chapter 55, Section 111)

3261. He is frequently to be on deck in the day and at all times day and night when the hands are employed. He is to see the men generally go quickly on deck when called and do their work well and with alacrity.

3262. Rigging. He is responsible that the standing and running rigging, hawsers, boats' falls, derrick purchases and all items detailed in his list of portable fittings and spare gear are in a thoroughly serviceable condition, taking care that they are refitted as necessary. He is to acquaint himself of their state by frequent examination, reporting the result to the Executive Officer so that immediate steps may be taken to refit or replace whatever may require to be dealt with.

2. He is also responsible for the provision, stowage and maintenance of all gear used for replenishment at sea except those items which are under the charge of the Engineer or Electrical Officers.

3. He is to take charge of the ship's rigging warrant and is to insert therein any alterations or additions which arise during the commission.

3263. Anchors and cables. When the ship commissions he is to inspect all gear, except hull fittings, which is supplied for the working of anchors and cables to ensure that it is complete and correctly fitted. Thereafter, until the ship pays off, he is responsible that such gear is maintained in an efficient condition and ready for immediate use. See also 3415.

2. When the ship proceeds to sea, he is to assist the Lieutenant-Commander or Lieutenant detailed for cable duties in seeing that the anchors are secure, and again on returning to harbour that the anchors and cables are ready for immediate use.

3264. Sea boats. He is to report at 0800 and evening quarters when at sea that the sea boats are properly secured and ready for immediate service.

3265. Weather decks. On the ship proceeding to sea and throughout the period at sea, he is to ensure that all booms, derricks and gear on the weather decks are properly secured. Similarly, he is responsible for the security against wind and weather of any stores carried on the weather decks.

3266. Canvas gear. He is to examine any sails and all canvas gear received on board which are in his charge, and is to take the proper steps to keep all such stores repaired and fit for use, or replaced if necessary by the dockyard; he is responsible that none of them suffer from damp or vermin, and that they are properly tallied and conveniently stowed in the appointed places so as to be at hand when wanted. He is to keep the Executive Officer informed of these particulars.

3267. Portable fittings and spare gear. He is to take charge of all gear detailed in the ship's list of portable fittings and spare gear for the Commissioned Boatswain. On the ship paying off he is responsible that these items are tallied and are returned to the custody of the dockyard.

3268. Periodical examination and testing of gear-defects. He is to ensure that all gear under his charge is periodically inspected and tested in accordance with the regulations and instructions.

2. He is to keep an accurate account of all defects to the gear and fittings on his charge, and record the steps taken for test or repair either by the ship's staff or by the dockyard when the ship is taken in hand for refit. When preparing the lists of defects, he is to be guided by the instructions contained in Chapter 56, Section 1.

3. He is to bring all defects in the hull fittings which may concern him to the notice of the Shipwright Officer and is to obtain the latter's assistance in the maintenance of the anchors and cables.

3269. Commissioned Boatswain (Q.D.D.). The Commissioned Boatswain (Q.D.D.) is required to have a full and up to date knowledge of all forms of diving equipment and submarine escape and rescue apparatus, and is to be fully qualified in their use.

2. He is normally to supervise diving operations to a depth of 30 fathoms, and is always to supervise diving operations at a depth greater than 30 fathoms.

3270 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHERS

3. When appointed for diving duties he is to work directly under the T.A.S. Officer when one is borne. If no qualified T.A.S. officer is borne he is to be directly responsible to the Captain for all diving matters.

4. He is to be in charge of diving stores and is responsible that the routine tests of diving equipment are carried out and that the equipment is maintained in accordance with the latest instructions.

5. He is to ensure that divers working under him are exercised as often as possible; but in no case is a monthly interval to be exceeded.

3270. Commissioned Boatswain (P.R.). The Commissioned Boatswain (P.R.) is at all times to attend to the directions of the Navigation Direction officer responsible for the ship's Action Information Organisation (see 3418), to whom he is to be responsible particularly for the organisation and training of ratings employed on Action Information and Warning Radar duties, and for the care and custody of stores in the N.D. Department other than those held by the Navigating Officer for navigational use.

2. In ships in which no Commissioned Boatswain is borne, the Commissioned Boatswain (P.R.) is to be considered as available to undertake the other duties laid down in this section.

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