The engineer officer is the head of the engineering department. Besides the duties as a department head, the engineer officer is responsible for the following areas:

0 Operation, care, and maintenance of all propulsion and auxiliary machinery

0 Control of damage

Figure 1-1.-Typical engineering department.

*Completion of all repairs within the capacity of the shops in the engineering department

For more detailed information about the duties and responsibilities of the engineer officer, refer to the U.S. Navy Regulations, the Engineering Department Organization and Regulations Manual (EDORM), and the SORM.

Assistants to the Engineer Officer

The engineer officer is assigned assistants for main propulsion, electrical, damage control, and other specific duties that are required for the proper performance of the functions of the engineering department. The engineer officer must make sure the assistants perform their assigned duties. In the following paragraphs, we will describe the duties of the administrative assistant, training officer, fire marshal, gas-free engineer, MPA, electrical officer, and DCA.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.- The department administrative assistant functions as an aide to the engineer officer in the details of administration. The responsibilities and duties of the department administrative assistant are as follows:

Supervise the operation of the department administrative office; this includes the upkeep of assigned office spaces and the care and maintenance of office equipment.

Screen all department incoming correspondence and initiate required action; also, screen and ensure correct preparation of all outgoing correspondence.

Assist in the preparation of all department directives and exercise control over their issuance.

Supervise the maintenance of department records and maintain a tickler file on all required reports.

Coordinate the preparation of the department daily watch bill.

Assign tasks to, and evaluate the performance of, department yeomen and other enlisted personnel assigned to the department office.

In an engineering department without an administrative assistant billet, the engineer officer may delegate the duties of such a billet to any competent person.

TRAINING OFFICER.- The duties of a department training officer are delegated by the engineer officer to an assistant. Some of these duties include the followmg:

Develop a department training program in support of the training objectives of the ship.

Carry out approved training plans and policies within the department.

Coordinate and assist in the administration of division training programs within the department. This includes supervision of the preparation of training materials and review of curricula, training courses, and lesson plans. It also includes assisting in the selection and training of instructors, observation of instruction given at drills, on watch, on station, and in the classroom. It further includes procurement of required training aids and devices.

Maintain department training records and training reports.

Disseminate information concerning the availability of fleet and service schools.

Requisition training supplies and materials.

FIRE MARSHAL.- The fire marshal works under the engineer officer and the DCA and is responsible for the maintenance and readiness of the ship's fire-fighting equipment. The fire marshal is also responsible for the prevention and elimination of fire hazards on the ship.

GAS-FREE ENGINEER.- The duties and responsibilities of the gas-free engineer are described in Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 074, volume 3, "Gas-Free Engineering." Briefly, the gas-free engineer tests and analyzes the air in sealed compartments or voids that are being opened for inspection. The engineer determines whether such spaces are safe for personnel to enter without danger of poisoning or suffocation. The engineer also determines whether it is safe to perform welding or cutting within or in the vicinity of such spaces. Such hot work is dangerous and can cause fires and explosions.

MAIN PROPULSION ASSISTANT.- The responsibilities of the MPA are as follows:

Operation, care, and maintenance of the ship's propulsion machinery and related auxiliaries

Care, stowage, and use of fuels and lubricating oils

Preparation and care of the Engineering Log and the Engineer's Bell Book

Preparation of operation and maintenance records and procedures

The MPA also has the responsibility as division officer for the boiler and machinery divisions. These divisions are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Boiler (B) Division.- The B division operates the boilers and the fireroom auxiliary machinery. If you are assigned to this division, your work station may be in a fireroom. The firerooms are usually located midships on the lower level. There may be as many as eight firerooms, depending on the size and type of ship. Ships with only one fireroom will have two boilers. They are installed either facing each other or side by side. The boilers are arranged so any number of them supply steam to the ship's engines. The firerooms are separated by watertight bulkheads. This allows any fireroom to be sealed off in case of a casualty. The ship can operate on the remaining boilers.

On your first trip through the fireroom, you will notice many sizes of pipes and valves. These lines (pipes) carry steam, water, fuel oil, and air. You will become familiar with a few of them at a time. Gradually, you will learn all their purposes and functions.

The lines that carry steam or water are covered by insulation and lagging. This is done to ensure personnel safety and to prevent heat loss and condensation. Stencils on the lines show the fluid carried and the direction of flow.

During your training, you will trace these lines from one unit to another throughout each system. The ship's blueprints and drawings will help you trace out systems in the engineering plant.

Machinery (M) Division.- The M division is responsible for the safe operation of the main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and all associated auxiliary machinery that supports this equipment. When assigned to this division, you will work in one of the engine rooms. The engine rooms are generally located immediately aft of the firerooms that supply them with steam.

ELECTRICAL OFFICER.- The electrical officer is designated E division officer and electrical safety officer. The electrical officer is responsible to the engineer officer. The following are the specific duties and responsibilities of the electrical officer:

Routinely observe the performance of personnel and equipment to ensure efficiency and safety and take action to correct deficiencies

Administer and execute the ship's electrical safety program using the most up-to-date instructions and notices

Provide training to the crew routinely on electrical safety

The E division has charge of enforcing the electrical safety program for both personal and shipboard electrical equipment. It maintains generators, power and lighting distribution, gyrocompasses, intercommunications, and other electrical equipment throughout the ship. If assigned to this division, you may work in the main motor rooms, the engine rooms, the electric repair shop, or in the interior communications (IC) rooms.

DAMAGE CONTROL ASSISTANT.- The DCA is responsible for the prevention and control of damage. This includes control of stability, list, and trim. Material conditions of readiness, watertight integrity, and compartment testing are carried out under the supervision of the DCA. The DCA administers various training for ship's personnel. This training includes damage control, fire fighting, emergency repair work, and nonmedical defensive measures for chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) defense.

The DCA is in charge of the hull maintenance (R division) and the auxiliary machinery (A division) shops. In these shops repairs to the ship's hull and the ship's boats, which are within the ship's capabilities, are made by the assigned personnel. These divisions are described in the following paragraphs.

Repair (R) Division.- The R division is responsible for keeping the ship watertight. The

R division operates the hull maintenance shops. This division maintains damage control and firefighting equipment and assists in damage-control training for shipboard personnel.

Auxiliary (A) Division.- The A division operates the refrigeration plant, air compressors, emergency fire pumps, emergency diesel generators, and the ventilation, heating, and airconditioning systems. They are the boat engineers in small boats. They also maintain the ship's steering engines. If assigned to this division, you may work in the auxiliary spaces or parts of the ship under A division's authority. The equipment assigned to A division is found throughout the ship.

Division Officer

The duties of a division officer are described in the U.S. Navy Regulations and the SORM. The following are specific duties and responsibilities of the division officer:

Direct the division through work center supervisors.

Assign watches and duties within the division.

Ensure that division personnel receive indoctrination and military and professional training.

Prepare enlisted performance evaluation sheets for personnel of the division.

Maintain a division notebook containing personnel data cards, training data, a space and equipment responsibility log, and the watch and battle stations requirements. The notebook also has data useful for ready reference and for the orientation of a relief officer.

Account for all forms, reports, and correspondence originated or maintained by the division.

Establish and maintain a division organization manual and other directives necessary for the administration of the division.

Ensure that prescribed security measures are strictly observed by division personnel.

Recommend to the department head personnel transfers and changes in the division allowance.

Forward requests for leave, liberty, and special privileges. This includes making recommendations for their disposition.

Conduct periodic inspections, exercises, and musters.

Evaluate the performance and discipline of the division.

The division chief petty officer (CPO) and division leading petty officer (LPO) are assigned to aid the division officer in the administrative, organizational, and disciplinary duties. Their function within the division is discussed in the following paragraphs.

DIVISION CHIEF PETTY OFFICER.- The function of a division CPO is to assist the division officer in coordinating and administering the division. The duties, responsibilities, and authority of the division CPO depends on the division organization. The division CPO may be required to perform the following tasks:

Supervise the preparation and maintenance of the watch, quarter, and station bill.

Formulate and implement policies and procedures for the operation of the division.

Supervise the division in the performance of its daily routine and conduct inspections.

Administer discipline within the division.

Complete Enlisted Performance Evaluation Reports (NAVPERS 1616/24) after evaluating individual performances. The LPO assists the CPO in this task.

Provide counsel and guidance to division personnel.

Ensure routine logs and records are maintained correctly and required division reports are prepared properly.

Act as the division officer in his or her absence.

Perform other duties assigned by the division officer.

DIVISION LEADING PETTY OFFICER.The LPO appointed by the division officer or CPO is usually the senior petty officer in the division. The LPO will assist in the administration, supervision, training, and watch standing qualifications of division personnel.