Ships  that  pass  through  the  MERZONE  will  be given a route to follow through the zone. Only those ships whose passage must take them into the zone will be controlled this way, and then only while actually within the boundaries of the zone. VNCS is, as its name states, voluntary throughout and can only be imposed with the consent of the shipowner, who may withdraw his or her ship from Navy control at any time. NAVAL  CONTROL  OF SHIPPING IN WAR At the declaration of war or at the point when it is decided to place merchant shipping on a war footing, all oceangoing merchant ships will be committed to employment by the CDSORG for the prosecution of war and survival of Allied Nations. This will involve the   pooling   of   ocean   shipping   resources   and compulsory  acceptance  by  masters  of  the  control  of movement  by  the  Allied  NCSORG. Command Structure The command structure for NCS will be similar to that specified for periods of tension. The CDSORG, for the employment of merchant ships, will be staffed by   officials   drawn   from   peacetime   government shipping  agencies  and  shipping  companies. Coastal vessels Ships below 1600 GRT and those larger vessels declared  solely  to  coastal  operation  will  not  be  pooled,  but will remain under national control throughout the war. Control of Shipping Whether or not ships are sailed in convoy, there will be positive control of merchant ship movements of all types. The level of control will vary according to the tactical situation at the place and time, but in its very lowest form will require that each merchant ship 1. obtain permission to sail, and 2.  be given a route to follow. COMMAND AND RESPONSIBILITIES LEARNING   OBJECTIVES:   Identify   and explain the duties of the officer in tactical command  (OTC),  convoy  commodore,  vice commodore, and the rear commodore. The safe passage of a convoy depends on the organization   of   the   convoy   before   sailing,   the management and control of the convoy at sea, and the skillful  handling  of  each  ship  while  in  convoy.  Convoy operations  must  be  understood  by  every  master  and watchkeeping  officer  if  each  ship  is  to  play  her individual  part. OFFICER IN TACTICAL COMMAND (OTC) The OTC is the senior naval officer present or the officer  to  whom  command  has  been  delegated.  The OTC is responsible for the defense of the convoy and the enforcement of such instructions and orders as are related to the defense of the convoy. CONVOY COMMODORE The  convoy  commodore  is  the  officer,  naval  or merchant, designated by naval authority to command the convoy. The convoy commodore is subject to orders of the OTC. In the absence of an escort, he/she takes  entire  command. The convoy commodore is responsible for the internal operations of the convoy. This responsibility includes the assignment of stations to ships in the convoy after the convoy leaves the harbor, the issue of instructions and regulations for the convoy, the safe navigation of the convoy as a whole, and for the communication organization of the convoy within the policy  of  the  OTC.  The  convoy  commodore  should consult  with  OTC,  whose  navigational  facilities  are normally   superior,   regarding   safe   navigation, particularly in channels and mineable waters. Under normal  conditions,  the  convoy  commodore  will control  the  convoy  tactically,  following  standard instructions   for   convoys   and   such   additional instructions  as  may  be  received  from  competent authority. He/she is responsible for the readiness for action and conduct in action of the merchant ships under his/her command. If the convoy commodore is incapacitated or forced to relinquish command of the convoy,  his/her  duties  are  assumed  by  the  vice commodore.  After  the  vice  commodore,  the  rear commodore takes over. When required to make good a specified course or to follow a specified route, the commodore must be particularly careful that allowance is made for wind and tide. The commodore must also ensure that the guide of the convoy steers an accurate course and that the remaining ships maintain their ordered stations. 7-3