Lights and Day Shapes, Helm Commands, and Line Handling Commands

Vessel Underway

1

Pilot Vessel

2

Vessel Towing (Less than 200 ft)

3

Vessel Towing (Greater than 200 ft)

4

Vessel Restricted in the Ability to Manuever

5

Vessel Constrained by Draft

6

Fishing Vessel

1

Trawling Vessel

2

Vessel Not Under Command

3

Sailing Vessel

4

Vessel at Anchor

5

Vessel Aground

6

Red White Red Ram Lights

1

Red over Red

2

Green over Green

3

Green Cross

4

RIGHT/LEFT

STANDARD/FULL

RUDDER

Apply the ordered rudder. Standard rudder is the amount required to turn the ship on its standard tactical diameter, normally 20 degrees. Full rudder is the amount required to steer on a reduced tactical diameter, normally 30 degrees. The rudder angle can vary from ship to ship.

RIGHT/LEFT

### DEGREES

RUDDER

Apply the ordered rudder. The Conn can follow this order with a new course for the Helmsman to steer, such as "STEADY ON COURSE 256" or another rudder command. If the Conn does not specify a course, the Helmsmen must call out the heading at 10-degree increments, such as "PASSING TO THE RIGHT 150, PASSING TO THE RIGHT 160" until the Conn orders a course.

EASE YOUR RUDDER

EASE YOUR RUDDER TO RIGHT/LEFT

## DEGREES

Decrease the rudder angle by half the amount currently applied or by the amount ordered. The Conn can follow this order with a new course for the Helmsman to steer or another rudder command. If the Conn does not specify a course, the Helmsman must call out the heading at 10-degree increments until the Conn orders a course.

RUDDER AMIDSHIPS

Place the rudder at zero degrees.

MEET HER

Use the rudder as necessary to check the swing of the ship without steadying on any specific course.

STEADY

STEADY AS SHE GOES

STEADY ON COURSE ###

Steer the course on which the ship is currently headed or the ordered course. If the ship is turning and the Conn gives the command STEADY or STEADY AS SHE GOES, the Helmsman notes the heading and responds "MARK, ###," calling the heading of the ship at that point. The Helmsman then steers the ship to that heading and calls "STEADY ON COURSE ###," when the heading has been reached.

STEER ON

The Helmsman steers on a range or object identified by the Conning Officer.

SHIFT YOUR RUDDER

Move the rudder to the same angle in the opposite direction from where it is currently ordered. The Conn can only give this order when a specific rudder angle is in effect

NOTHING TO THE RIGHT/LEFT OF COURSE ###

Steer nothing to the right/left of the course specified.

HOW'S YOUR RUDDER

This is a query from the Conn to ascertain the current ridder placement. The Helmsman replies, "MY RUDDER IS RIGHT/LEFT ### DEGREES."

MARK YOUR HEAD

A command given to the Helmsman to state the heading of the ship at the moment the command was given. The Helmsman responds, "MARK ###."

COMMAND

The Helmsman's response to the Conn if they did not hear a command, misunderstood a command, or believes a command is improper.

SALLY YOUR RUDDER

Shifting back and forth between a set number of degrees of right and left rudder as ordered by the OOD.

MIND YOUR HELM

A command from the Conn, CO, OOD (if separate), or the Navigator to the Helmsman to pay closer attention to their steering.

PUT OVER

Pass the specified line to the pier and provide enough slack to allow line handlers the place the line over the bit, cleat, or bollard.

HOLD

Do not let any more line out even though the risk of parting may exist.

CHECK

Hold heavy tension on the specified line but render it as necessary to prevent parting the line.

SURGE

Hold moderate tension on a line but render it enough to permit movement of the ship.

EASE

Let a line out until it is under less tension, but not slacked.

SLACK

Take all tension off a line.

TAKE SLACK OUT OF

Take all slack out of a line, but so not take strain.

SHIFT

Move a line to the specified location.

HEAVE AROUND ON

Take a strain on a line.

SINGLE UP

Take in all but one bight so there remains a single part to the line. Can also be used to single up all normal mooring lines.

DOUBLE UP

Pass an additional bight on the specified line so there are three parts on the line. This can also be used to double up all normal mooring lines. Cutters without sufficient mooring line for three parts should just pass the bitter end of the single up to the peer.

CAST OFF

When using another ship's lines to secure your ship, it means to cast off the ends of their lines.

TAKE IN

Allow the pier line handler enough slack to take the line off the fitting and bring the line aboard. Used when secured with your own line.

STAND BY YOUR LINES

Man the lines, ready to cast off or moor.

UP-BEHIND

Cease hauling on the line and slack it quickly.