What are the primary responsibilities of the POOW?

The primary responsibilities of the Petty Officer of the Watch (POOW) indeed focus significantly on assisting the Officer of the Deck (OOD) and maintaining the deck log. The POOW plays a crucial role in ensuring that the watch operations run smoothly by providing support to the OOD, who is responsible for the overall conduct of the ship while under way or at anchor.

Maintaining the deck log is a critical duty because this document serves as an official record of the ship’s activities, navigational data, and any events that occur during the watch. Accurate logging is essential for operational accountability and future reference, especially in matters involving navigation, safety, and compliance with regulations.

Other roles like monitoring engine performance, conducting safety drills, and training new crew members are important but they typically fall under different responsibilities or personnel. Monitoring engine performance is generally the responsibility of the engineering department, while conducting safety drills and training new crew members would involve different ranks and roles focused specifically on safety training and crew development. Therefore, the unique combination of assisting the OOD in watch duties and keeping an accurate deck log underscores the pivotal function of the POOW in shipboard operations.