Standard Commands

4 parts of a Standard Command

1. Command

2. Reply

3. Report

4. Acknowledgement

Correcting Incorrect Orders

Issue proper order, NOT “Belay my last”

3 Parts of a Rudder Order

1. Direction (right, left, amidships)

2. Amount of rudder in degrees

3. Course to steer (optional)

Repeat

“Orders to the Helm/Lee Helm”

Standard

15*

Full

30* (25* on YP)

Hard

35* (30* on YP)

Format of Order with Hard Rudder

Hard - direction - course (optional)

Move the rudder to the higher amount

“Increase your rudder right/left x degrees”

Move the rudder to the lower amount

“Ease your rudder to right/left x degrees”

Place the rudder at 0*

“Rudder amidships”

Move rudder to the opposite direction at the same amount

“Shift your rudder”

Steer the heading of the ship when the command was given

“Steady as she goes”

Pay attention

“Mind your helm”

Do not allow the ship’s course to drift

“Steer nothing to the right left of x”

Helmsman responds with the degree of his rudder at time of order

“How is your rudder?”

Helmsman reports the ship’s course at time of order

“Mark your head”

Engine Orders

1. Engine Desired (Port/Starboard)

2. Direction desired (Ahead, Back, Stop)

3. Bell desired (1/3,2/3, Standard, Full, Flank)

4. Exact speed/revolutions desired (optional)

Man the lines and make them ready

“Stand by your lines”

Pass the line(s) to the pier, place the eye over the appropriate bollard, but take no strain

“Over line X” or “Over all lines”

Take tension off the line and let it hang loosely

“Slack the X line”

Do not allow anymore line to go out, even at the risk of parting

“Hold line X”

Hold heavy tension on the line but let it slip as necessary to prevent it from parting

“Check line X”

Line handlers on the pier will cast off the lines

“Cast off all lines”

Cast the line off from the pier and bring it aboard the ship

“Take in line X" or “Take in all lines”