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Z-Gram #64; dated 3 December 1970

Signal to Indicate Which Officer is Conning Ship

R 031510Z DEC 70
FM CNO (Z-64)

TO NAVOP

UNCLAS //N02310//
SIGNAL TO INDICATE WHICH OFFICER IS CONNING SHIP

A. CNO MSG 231444Z SEP 70 (NAVOP Z-31)
B. CHANGE 8 TO ATP 1(A) VOL II

1. REF A IMPLEMENTED TYCOM SHIPHANDLING COMPETITION FOR JUNIOR OFFICERS WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE FOR COMMANDING OFFICERS TO EXPAND JUNIOR OFFICER SHIPHANDLING OPPORTUNITIES AND INCREASES JUNIOR OFFICER DESIRES TO ACQUIRE MORE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AT SHIP CONNING.

2. AS WE KNOW, THE ART OF GOOD SHIPHANDLING IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH THE PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS MANEUVERS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED IN A SMART AND EXPERT MANNER. IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT THE COMMANDING OFFICER’S PRIDE PERSUADES HIM TO RETAIN THE CONN DURING SUCH MANEUVERS WHEN HE KNOWS THE SHIP IS BEING OBSERVED BY HIGHER AUTHORITY AND OTHER CRITICAL EYES.

3. IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE COMMANDING OFFICERS TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNIOR OFFICERS TO PRACTICE SHIPHANDLING AND TO KEEP OBSERVERS AWARE OF WHO IS CONNING DURING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS UNREPS, FORMATION TACTICAL EXERCISE, AND MOORING TO BUOYS OR PIERS, A STANDARD VISUAL CONNING SIGNAL HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN REF B.

4. TO FURTHER PERSONALIZE AND AMPLIFY THE PRESENT SIGNAL, THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL VISUAL SIGNALS ARE EFFECTIVE FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH DESIG 2ND SIGNAL.

DESIG 2ND...AN OFFICER OTHER THAN THE COMMANDING OFFICER OR EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS
HANDLING THE SHIP, FOLLOWED BY THE NUMERAL
1. ENS   4. LCDR   7. CPO (ASTERISK)
2. LTJG   5. CDR   8. PO (ASTERISK)
3. LT   6. WO

(ASTERISK) DLGS AND SMALLER

__________

Transcription note: Original message does not include signature block. 

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS:
ATP: allied tactical publication
CDR: commander
CPO: chief petty officer
DESIG: designator
DLG: guided-missile destroyer leader
ENS: ensign
LCDR: lieutenant commander
LT: lieutenant
LTJG: lieutenant junior grade
MSG: message
PO: petty officer
TYCOM: type commander
UNREPS: underway replenishments
WO: warrant officer

[END]
Published: Wed Jan 05 16:43:29 EST 2022