Besides the general ratings, some specific billets or assignments require special mention. Two of these billets are the oil and water king and the boat engineer.

Oil and Water King

On large ships, the billet for oil and water king is divided into two billets-one for fuel oil and the other for potable (fresh) water and feedwater.

On steam-driven ships, the oil and water king could be either a Boiler Technician or a Machinist's Mate. On diesel- and gas turbinedriven ships, the oil and water king is an Engineman or a Gas Turbine Systems Technician. The responsibilities of an oil and water king are as follows:

Supervise the operation of all valves in the fuel oil and transfer system and the freshwater system, as prescribed by the casualty control bills for those systems.

Properly maintain fuel oil service tanks and shift suction among service tanks.

Maintain the distribution of fuel oil and water so the ship can remain on an even keel and in proper trim.

Prepare fuel and water reports.

Test and record the pH, phosphate, chloride content, hardness, and other properties of feed and boiler water.

Test and record fuel oil samples. For detailed information on these tests, refer to Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 541, "Petroleum Fuel Stowage, Use, and Testing," and chapter 220, volume 2, "Boiler Water/Feedwater Tests and Treatment."

Refer to Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 10054-F, chapter 19, for information on safety precautions to be observed when handling fuel oil.

Small Boat Engineer

Firemen, Enginemen, or Machinist's Mates from the A division are detailed as boat engineers. Boat engineers operate, clean, and inspect the section of the boats assigned to them. Boat engines are repaired by Enginemen.

When a ship is at anchor, the officers and crew usually travel to and from the shore in small boats. As a Fireman, you may be assigned as an engineer on one of these boats. You will be responsible for operating the boat's engine(s). A coxswain will be in charge of the overall operation of the boat. On some boats, two seamen may act as bow and stern hooks, or one seaman may act as bowhook and the engineer may act as sternhook.

For additional information on small boats and boat safety, refer to Basic Military Requirements, NAVEDTRA 10054-F, and Seaman, NAVEDTRA 10120-J.