As a first class or chief petty officer aboard ship, you may be required to assist the division officer in organizing, supervising, and instructing other personnel in their military duties as well as in their specialties. This duty includes assisting in the assignment of watch stations and other duties. Every watch in the engineering department is a vital part of the ships maintenance and opera-tion program. The engineer officer is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the main engines and auxiliary machinery. However, the EN1s or ENCs and the personnel they supervise on the various watches actually do most of the work. Therefore, it is very important that the petty officers in charge learn and understand the extent of their responsibility to the engineer officer.

Engineering Officer of the Watch

The following excerpts from chapter 10 of Navy Regulations describe some of the duties of the officer of the engineroom watch: Status, Authority, and Responsibility. The engineering officer of the watch is the officer on watch in charge of the main propulsion plant of the ship, and of the associated auxiliaries. He shall be responsible for the safe and proper operation of such units, and for the performance of the duties prescribed in these regulations and by other competent authority.

Directing and Relieving the Engineering Officer of the Watch. The engineer officer, or in his absence, the main propulsion assistant may direct the engineering officer of the watch concerning the duties of the watch, or may assume charge of the watch, and shall do so should it, in his judgment, be necessary.

Relation with the Officer of the Deck. The engineering officer of the watch shall ensure that all orders received from the officer of the deck are promptly and properly executed. He shall not permit the main engines to be turned except as authorized or ordered by the officer of the deck.

Reports by the Engineering Officer of the Watch. The engineering officer of the watch shall report promptly to the officer of the deck and the engineer officer any actual or probable derangement of machinery, boilers, or auxiliaries which may affect the proper operation of the ship.

Reports to the Engineering Officer of the Watch. The engineering officer of the watch shall be promptly informed of any engineering work or change in disposition of machinery which may affect the proper operation of the plant or endanger personnel, or which is re-quired for entry in the record of his watch.

Inspection and Operation of Machinery. The engineering officer of the watch shall cause frequent inspections to be made of the engines, boilers, and their auxiliaries; and shall ensure that pre-scribed tests, methods of operation, and instructions pertaining to the safety of personnel and material are strictly observed.

Records and Logs. The engineering officer of the watch shall ensure that the engineering log, engineers bell book, and prescribed operating records are properly kept. On being relieved, he shall sign the engineering log and the engineers bell book for that watch.