Encl (1) to COMDTINST M3520.

2A

HELM COMMANDS

This enclosure provides a list of commonly used helm commands and may be tailored as
appropriate to meet the requirements of Chapter 1, Section C. Standard phraseology governing
orders to the helmsman is required to ensure orders are understood and promptly executed. The
helmsman shall repeat each command word-for-word and shall report when the ordered action is
complete. The conning officer shall acknowledge the helmsman’s responses with “VERY
WELL”.

COMMAND ACTION

RIGHT (LEFT) Apply the ordered rudder. Standard rudder is the amount required
STANDARD (FULL) to turn the ship on its standard tactical diameter. The rudder angle
RUDDER varies from ship to ship. Full rudder is normally the amount
required for reduced tactical diameter.

RIGHT (LEFT) ## Apply the ordered rudder. This order may be followed by a new
DEGREES RUDDER course for the helmsman to steer, such as “STEADY ON
COURSE 256” or another rudder command. If no course is
specified the helmsman shall call out the heading at 10 degree
increments, such as “PASSING 150, PASSING 160”, until a
course is ordered by the conning officer.

INCREASE YOUR Increase the rudder angle the amount specified to cause the ship to
RUDDER TO RIGHT turn more rapidly. This order may be followed by a new course
(LEFT) ## DEGREES for the helmsman to steer or another rudder command. If no
course is specified the helmsman shall call out the heading at 10
degree increments until a course is ordered by the conning officer.

EASE YOUR Decrease the rudder angle by half the amount currently applied or
RUDDER/EASE YOUR by the amount ordered. This order may be followed by a new
RUDDER TO RIGHT course for the helmsman to steer or another rudder command. If
(LEFT) ## DEGREES no course is specified the helmsman shall call out the heading at
10 degree increments until a course is ordered by the conning
officer.

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 Steer the course on which the ship is currently headed or the
SHE GOES, STEADY ON ordered course. If the ship is turning and the command STEADY
COURSE ### or STEADY AS SHE GOES is given, the helmsman notes the
heading and brings the ship back to the heading. The helmsman
should then reply “STEADY; COURSE ###”.
Encl (1) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

COMMAND ACTION

SHIFT YOUR RUDDER Move the rudder to the same angle in the opposite direction from
where it is currently ordered. This order may be given only when
a specific rudder angle is in effect.

NOTHING TO THE Steer nothing to the right (left) of the course specified.
RIGHT (LEFT) OF
COURSE ###

HOW’S YOUR RUDDER This is a query from the conning officer to ascertain the current
rudder placement. The helmsman replies, “MY RUDDER IS
RIGHT(LEFT) ## DEGREES”.

MARK YOUR HEAD Respond “MARK ###”. A command to the helmsman to state the
heading of the ship at the moment the command was given.

COMMAND The helmsman’s response to the conning officer if he/she did not
hear a command, misunderstood a command or believes a
command is improper.

STEER ON The helmsman steers on a range or object identified by the

conning officer.

2
 Encl (2) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

LINEHANDLING COMMANDS

This enclosure provides a list of standard linehandling commands and may be tailored as
appropriate to meet the requirements of Chapter 1, Section C.

COMMAND ACTION

PUT OVER/PASS Pass the specified line to the pier and provide enough slack to allow
(line number) linehandlers to place the line over the bitt, cleat or bollard.

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

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

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

EASE (line number) Let a line out until it is under less tension, but not slacked.

SLACK (line Take all tension off a line and let it hang slack.
number)

TAKE THE SLACK Take all the slack out of a line, but do not take a strain.
OUT OF (line
number)

SHIFT (line number) Shift a line to the specified location.

HEAVE AROUND Take a strain on a line with the capstan.

ON (line number)

TAKE (line number) Take the specified line to the capstan.

TO POWER

SINGLE UP (line Take in all but one bight so there remains a single part to the line. May
number) also be used to single up all normal mooring lines.

DOUBLE UP (line Pass an additional bight on the specified line so there are three parts to
number) the line. This may 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 pier.

AVAST or AVAST Stop taking a strain on a line with capstan.

HEAVING
Encl (2) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

COMMAND ACTION
TAKE IN (line Allow the pier linehandler enough slack to take the line off the fitting and
number) bring the line aboard. Used when secured with your own line.

CAST OFF (line When you are secured with another ship’s lines, it means to cast off the
number) ends of their lines.

2
 Encl (3) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

NAVIGATION PLOTTING SYMBOLS

NAVIGATION PLOTTING SYMBOLS

123
0
1330

Single line of position

(Same for visual and electronic LOP) Visual fix

1440 440
420 -1
1

Advanced LOP
Distance arc or range Original time and time LOP advanced to

1524

1503

Electronic fix
Electronic fix using radar ranges
Encl (3) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

110 1105 - 111

0- 12
111
2 11
2

1112 R Fix Continued on Chart 11411

Chart shift
Running fix

1600
0745 0800
C-090
S-18

Actual course line

DR position. between a fix and an EP

1620
1730

1730
173
0

Estimated Position (EP) based EP based on two LOPs.

on DR position and single LOP

2
 Encl (3) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

C-090T / 087M
WP1 S-18.3 / D-17NM WP2
1230 1245 1300
C-090
S-15
Trackline. Used
DR course line between intended waypoints.

1610
1715

Two visual bearings Two radar ranges

and one radar range and one visual bearing.

0730 45
07
0800 0815
0730 0745 0745 R Fix C-090
C-090
S-15
07

S-15
30
07

0715
-0
30

0700
74
5

Examples of a DR course line with an EP and a DR course line with a running fix

3
Encl (3) to COMDTINST M3520.2A

NLT 075
Stack

Danger bearing No Less Than 075 Deg T

Spire

NGT 090

Danger bearing No Greater Than 090 Deg T

4
 Encl (4) to COMDTINST M3530.2A

PAPER CHART USAGE/MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FLOWCHART

Is cutter ECINS No
Enter D
equipped?

Yes

Does ECINS have an No

adequate primary
positioning source?
(See Chapter 1, Section F.5)
Yes

Does ECINS have an Does ECINS have an

adequate back-up adequate back-up
positioning source? Yes
arrangement?
(See Chapter 1, Section F.6.a.(9)) (See Chapter 1, Section F.6.a.(8))

Yes No No

A B C

A = Carry uncorrected paper chart. Use ECINS as primary means of navigation.

B = Carry uncorrected paper chart of the area. Use ECINS as primary means of
navigation. Cutter shall correct and use paper charts in the event of positioning
source failure.
C = Carry corrected paper chart of the area. Use ECINS as primary means of
navigation.
D = Use corrected paper charts. ECINS/ECS (if so equipped) is to be used only as
a situational awareness tool.