ENTERING AND LEAVING PORT

One hour before getting underway, personnel of the MA force should make an inspection of the ship for stowaways and make a report of the inspection to the OOD at least 30 minutes before sailing.

On entering and leaving port, all hands topside should be in the specified uniform. Unless mustered at quarters, idlers should be kept clear of the decks.

REPORTS

You may often be required to make reports to various officers aboard ship. These may include 8 o'clock reports, inspection reports, and reports of incidents. Some instances may require a formal incident/complaint report.

NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT, COURTS-MARTIAL, AND COURTS OF INQUIRY

The Manual of the Judge Advocate General

(JAGMAN) establishes the procedures at captain's masts, courts-martial, or courts of inquiry. However, the formalities before to and at the termination of the captain's mast are determined by custom and tradition, and each command may set its own procedures and directives. Chapters 5 and 6 of this manual explain in detail captain's masts, courts-martial, and courts of inquiry.

Here are some of the duties you may encounter- duties you should be familiar with:

You may be assigned the duty of guarding prisoners at a court-martial. When performing this duty, station yourself in a position so you can observe the prisoner at all times and close enough to the prisoner so that, should the prisoner become violent, you will be in a position to prevent injury to anyone, including the prisoner. You may also be required to make sure that the accused, witnesses, and interested parties are present. There may be times when you will be stationed outside the door to the room where the hearing is being conducted to summon witnesses. Remain alert at all times and make sure that quiet is maintained in the immediate area.

Prisoners being tried may be delivered in handcuffs if circumstances warrant. If so, the cuffs should be removed during the proceedings unless otherwise ordered by the senior member present.

Upon completion of the court and depending upon the sentence awarded, the MA may take charge of the accused immediately upon sentencing.

SHIP'S BRIG RESPONSIBILITIES

Brigs aboard ship are places of confinement included in the original construction or added during an authorized conversion. Shipboard brigs are authorized and certified for the confinement of personnel attached to or embarked in the ship. Persons with more than 30 days of confinement remaining to be served upon delivery are normally delivered to a shore station brig for confinement. Shipboard brigs are operated in full accord with provisions of the Department of the Navy Corrections Manual, SECNAVINST 1640.9. The brig officer and brig staff (normally MAs) ensure the safety of prisoners in the brig and their release in time of emergency.

The Department of the Navy Corrections Manual contains all the information on brig operations and transfer of prisoners. This manual should be used for guidance when dealing with anything that pertains to brigs or prisoners.

SAFETY

_{Personnel of the MA} force perform the following duties regarding safety: 

. Act as roving inspectors, looking for safety hazards and risks that could result in injury to personnel or damage to equipment. Safety hazards/violations found in this category should be corrected immediately. 

l Assist the safety officer in keeping the safety program viable and workable. 

l Carry out a system of internal reporting to focus command attention on material deficiencies and operating practices that jeopardize personnel and equipment.

BURIAL AT SEA

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the requirements for burial at sea in terms of eligibility, preparation of remains, and the burial at sea ceremony. Identify the procedures used when the remains have been cremated.

In early naval history, burial at sea was a necessity when death occurred aboard ship. This is seldom necessary today. Except under extreme conditions, as ordered by the commanding officer, burials at sea do not take place except when specific arrangements have been made at the request of the deceased's primary next of kin.

ELIGIBILITY FOR BURIAL AT SEA

The regulations for at-sea disposition of remains from a naval vessel or inurned cremains from a naval aircraft are set forth by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

Civilian personnel are not authorized to attend services aboard ships, aircraft, and auxiliary craft. Services aboard ship while it is in port are permitted on a not-to-interfere basis.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREPARATION OF REMAINS

It is the responsibility of a naval hospital to ensure the caskets are suitably prepared. In general, this includes the following:

l Metal caskets only are used, banded with five 3/4-inch bands of durable material (not metal).

. A minimum of 20 2-inch holes are drilled in the casket (at least eight on top, eight on the bottom, and two on each end).

l The casket must weigh at least 300 pounds. If it does not meet this minimum, additional weight should be added at the foot end.

If the casketed remains do not submerge upon entering the water, the commanding officer of the ship, while maintaining the dignity of ceremony, should take necessary measures to make sure it submerges. Normally, the casket should be retrieved and proper steps taken to ensure it will submerge, then the casket returned to the sea. Under no circumstances should gunfire be used to cause the casket to submerge.