OFFICER OF THE DECK

The officer of the deck under way has been designated by the commanding officer to be in charge of the ship, including its safe and proper operation. The officer of the deck reports directly to the commanding officer for the safe navigation and general operation of the ship, to the executive officer (and command duty officer if appointed) for carrying out the ship’s routine, and to the navigator on sighting navigational landmarks and making course and speed changes. Also called OOD. (JP 3-04.1)