NavList:

Ah but the regulation states "course" which, in my world, is a heading, and this context indicates that the prescribed (ie charted) course and ordered speed be maintained.  Of course this may be a semantic thing with the navy that I don't know about.  I was thinking specifically of current based errors and not maneuvering to avoid collision, which is covered in the standing orders (minimum CPA).  Joe's story about the old man coming up and asking why they changed course during "RDF training" highlights this.

 

For my part as a watch officer (OOD equivalent) I am expected to maintain reasonable cross track error during my watch and to maintain a minimum CPA as well.  Being a merchant ship, cost is the second factor after safety, and therefore we are to keep relatively close to the track in order to reduce fuel consumption.  I typically change course after when I am slipping over 0.5 nm off of the track line.

 

Byron states however "NOTE: Normally the CO orders will state he can close  Charted DR track"  which I think means that the OOD can change course to come back on track via the CO's standing orders, but I am not entirely sure about this. 

 

I am really wondering what the standard practice is with the navy, understanding that acceptable cross track errors will vary greatly with circumstance.  Will the OOD routinely alter course to close on the track without a telephone call, or must the CO be notified each time?

 

Jeremy

 

 

Similarly, is the OOD responsible for steering a prescribed course or maintaining a Track or Course-Made-Good?  If a vessel must turn to avoid a collision, is the OOD responsible for bringing the vessel back to its prescribed course (which likely would mean that it was off its intended Track) or to bring it back to its intended Track??

Anabasis75@aol.com wrote:

So how far off of the track line do you get before someone gets permission to change course?

 

Jeremy

 

In a message dated 12/9/2009 2:31:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, byronink@netzero.com writes:

Under "Watch Offers Guide." "The Officer of the Deck Shall not change
the perscribed course or speed unless necessary to avoid collision of
immedient danger."  NOTE: Normally the CO orders will state he can
close  Charted DR track.

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