The deck officer (OOD) ensures safe ship operation, communicates with the crew and reports to the commanding officer. They work closely with a team and must be aware of all ship operations and potential personnel issues. The OOD follows specific regulations when leaving their post.
The deck officer (OOD) is an officer who reports directly to a ship’s master. A person in this position normally ensures the safe operation and navigation of the ship, sends regular reports to the commanding officer and trains the junior deck officer and ship’s officer for eventual promotion to the OOD position. An OOD also communicates regularly with the executive officer and the navigator in order to confirm the safety of each change in the ship’s operation. The deck officer also works closely with a team that typically includes a minor watch officer, watch signalman, boatswain’s mate, and watch boatswain.
The safe navigation of a ship depends on close teamwork among many people. The deck officer ensures regular communication between the entire crew, so that the best decisions are made regarding the navigation of the vessel. An OOD will make recommendations to the commanding officer, but will also defer it
With close communication, the deck officer is informed of all vital ship operations. This includes the status of all mechanical functions, the ship’s location and the ship’s proximity to other ships. The OOD must also be aware of all potential personnel issues and ensure the safety of all officers and crew so that the ship can function properly.
A deck officer is normally expected to remain in a specific location on the ship, unless officially replaced by a replacement, who is usually the junior deck officer. While the ship is in port, the OOD tends to remain on the quarterdeck as it is a kind of operations center for the ship before it departs. The deck officer will move to the bridge, which is the ship’s main command post, when the ship is at sea. An OOD will generally remain on the bridge for most of the journey.
To ensure safe and consistent ship operation, the OOD must follow specific regulations when leaving an official post such as the quarterdeck or the bridge. Before an OOD can leave her good spot, the replacement must be informed of all current ship operations. There should then be a verbal exchange between the two officials in which the position is explicitly declared abandoned by the OOD and accepted by the replacement until the official returns.
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