Which of the following best describes the importance of the CDO in naval operations?

The role of the Command Duty Officer (CDO) is crucial in naval operations, primarily because they provide support to the Officer of the Deck (OOD) in making operational decisions. The CDO acts as a senior advisor and can help in assessing the tactical situations that arise while the ship is underway. This includes evaluating the ship's capabilities, understanding the mission objectives, and ensuring that the OOD has all the necessary information to make informed decisions.

The functioning of naval operations demands a high level of coordination and communication, and having a CDO who supports the OOD allows for more effective command and control of the ship. This partnership ensures a smooth operational flow and enhances overall mission effectiveness.

While operating the ship’s machinery is essential, this task is typically the purview of engineering officers rather than the CDO. Enforcing orders from the captain and managing logistics are also vital functions in a naval context, but they do not encapsulate the primary role of the CDO as directly related to operational decision-making at sea.