CHAPTER 1
ENGINEERING ADMINISTRATION
The Navy has many programs that will affect
you at some time in your Navy career. In this
chapter you will learn the basics of some of the
programs that will affect you as a Fireman. This
chapter is not designed to make you an expert in
any of these programs, rather it will make you
aware of their existence and advise you where to
seek more in-depth information. Programs we
discuss include only those you will need to know
about while carrying out your assigned duties.
After studying this chapter, you should be able
to identify the organizational structure of the
engineering department, have a general under-
standing of each engineering rating, and be able
to incorporate general safety precautions to
perform your day-to-day tasks. You should be
able to discuss with some accuracy the various
programs pertinent to you as an engineer; that is,
the planned maintenance system (PMS), the
equipment tag-out program, and the engineering
operational sequencing system (EOSS).
STANDARD SHIP ORGANIZATION
The responsibility for organization of the
officers and crew of a ship belongs to the
commanding officer by U.S. Navy regulations.
The executive officer is responsible, under the
commanding officer, for organization of the
command. The department heads are responsible
for the organization of their departments for
readiness in battle and for assigning individuals
to stations and duties within their respective
departments. The Standard Organization and
Regulations of the U.S. Navy manual (SORM),
OPNAVINST 3120.32B, prescribes this admin-
istrative organization for all types of ships.
ORGANIZATION OF THE
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The SORM organizes the engineering depart-
ment for the efficient operation, maintenance, and
repair of the ship’s propulsion plant, auxiliary
machinery, and piping systems. The engineering
department is responsible for (1) damage control,
(2) operation and maintenance of electric
generators and distribution systems, (3) repair to
the ship’s hull, and (4) general shipboard repairs.
The organization of each engineering depart-
ment varies according to the size of the ship and
the engineering plant. For example, forces afloat,
such as repair ships and tenders, have a separate
repair department with many engineering ratings
responsible for off-ship repair and maintenance.
These ships also have a standard ship’s force
engineering department. Smaller ships, because
of the smaller number of engineering ratings
aboard, combine many ratings into one division.
Figure 1-1 is an example of the organizational
structure of the engineering department aboard
any large ship. Note that the administrative
assistant and the special assistants are aides to
the engineer officer. These responsibilities are
often assigned as additional duties to officers
functioning in other capacities.
The three main assistants to the engineer
officer are the main propulsion assistant (MPA),
the electrical officer, and the damage control
assistant (DCA). Each assistant is assigned the
division(s) shown on the organization chart.
The division officers are responsible for the
various divisions. The organization of each
division by sections is set up by the watch, quarter,
and station bill.
ENGINEER OFFICER
The engineer officer is the head of the
engineering department. Besides the duties
as a department head, the engineer officer is
responsible for the following areas:
. Operation, care, and maintenance of all
propulsion and auxiliary machinery
. Control of damage
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