Who is responsible for visual and electronic exterior communication equipment onboard a ship?

The Communications Officer is primarily responsible for visual and electronic exterior communication equipment onboard a ship. This role involves overseeing all aspects of communication systems, including the operation and maintenance of equipment like radios, signal flags, and other means of transmitting information to and from the ship. The Communications Officer ensures that these systems are functioning effectively to facilitate communication with other vessels and shore commands, which is critical for safety and operational efficiency.

This position also encompasses the management of secure communications and may require coordination with various departments to ensure that all necessary information is communicated accurately and reliably. The expertise of the Communications Officer is essential for maintaining situational awareness, strategic planning, and responding to emergencies that may arise while underway.

Understanding the responsibilities of roles such as the Operations Officer, Weapons Officer, and Bridge Officer indicates that they focus on different areas, like overall operational management, weapon systems coordination, and navigation, respectively, but they do not have the same specialized focus on communication equipment as the Communications Officer.