As a Fireman, you maybe assigned to one of many different types of ships. On these ships, the engineering spaces vary in size and appearance. On a steam-driven ship, the boilers, the main engines, and their associated equipment may be in one space; or the boilers and their equipment may be in one space and the main engines and their equipment in another. Regardless of the number of boilers and main engines, the watches on most ships are basically the same. Therefore, this information is general in nature and does not apply to a specific class of ship.

When working with a variety of propulsion, auxiliary, and electrical equipment, you will stand various watches that range from main switchboards to security watches or other watches, depending on your ship's organization. When standing these watches, you will be required to perform many tasks. These include logging meter readings, inspecting equipment for leaks, and preventing fire hazards. This section has information on watches and duties that you may be required to perform. As you progress and become better acquainted with the fireroom and engine room, you will stand watches under the supervision and instruction of a petty officer. You will learn to operate equipment using EOSS by following the ship's EOP and EOCC procedures.

In the following paragraphs we will discuss the EOOW, the watch stander from whom you will take your directions. We will also describe the various watches that pertain directly to you.

ENGINEERING OFFICER OF THE WATCH

The EOOW is the officer on watch in charge of the main propulsion plant and of the associated auxiliaries. On some types of ships, the EOOW is normally a senior petty officer. The EOOW is primarily responsible for the safe and efficient performance of the engineering department watches (except damage control) associated with the equipment in his or her charge. The engineer officer determines if an officer or petty officer of the engineering department is qualified to perform the duties of the EOOW. When the engineer officer considers the officer or petty officer qualified in all respects, he or she assigns that person to the watch. The engineer officer or, in his or her absence, the MPA is authorized to direct the EOOW concerning the duties of the watch when such action is considered necessary.

DAMAGE CONTROL CENTRAL WATCH

Damage control central (DCC) on most ships is manned around the clock when the ship is in port and under way. The DCC watch is responsible for the supervision and maintenance of the material condition of readiness in effect on the ship at all times. As a watch stander in DCC, you will be required to maintain the Damage Control Closure Log. You will also be responsible for the damage control log. On this log you will make entries of the firemain pressure, the number of pumps on the firemain, and several other entries. You will also make hourly status reports to the officer of the deck (OOD).