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Navigation Department Always On Watch
Story Number: NNS130404-10
4/4/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Duran, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (NNS) -- Day and night the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) traverses the seemingly endless ocean. Surrounded by nothing but the angry seas, it is up to one department to make sure it never loses its way.

The navigation department is primarily responsible for the movement and transit of Peleliu and ensures the ship arrives to its operational tasking in a timely manner.

With such a large responsibility, some would be surprised to find the department is one of the ship's smallest. The entire department is made up of 14 quartermasters plus the navigation and assistant navigation officer.

"People don't really know who we are because we work up on the bridge," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Nick Goyeneche from Austin, Texas. "We help with safe navigation and provide the necessary information on where we are going and how to get there."

A well-known role for navigation lies on the quartermaster of the watch (QMOW), who is responsible for constantly maintaining the ship's position, as well as the upkeep of the underway deck log.

"As QMOW, we advise the officer of the deck in all matters of navigation," said Quartermaster Seaman Joshua Turner from Tulsa, Okla. "We assist with time management and account for all hazards. It's where all our preparation meets the practice."

The watch is posted on the bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week while underway with five sections rotating throughout the day. However, being quartermaster of the watch is not all navigation does.

"We train and stay on top of our navigational knowledge and study the 'rules of the road' on how to navigate the open ocean," said Goyeneche. "We also maintain the charts and navigational publications and ensure they are all updated. A buoy might change or it might get deeper or shallower in a spot. This becomes extremely important when doing strait transits."

Goyeneche added that the ship adheres to a plan of intended movement (PIM) which the department carefully plans and approves through the commanding officer. The ship uses the PIM to stay on or ahead of schedule. If the ship falls behind, navigation can recommend a course or speed change to make up the difference.
Navigation personnel are versed in honors and ceremonies aboard Peleliu. This includes the calling of colors, raising and lowering of the ensign when getting underway, as well as setting up flags for holidays and special events.

Although the life of a quartermaster in navigation department may be expected or not as flashy as others, most are glad to be a part of it.

"I love being a quartermaster. It's the best rate in the Navy as far as I'm concerned," said Turner. "You get to be up on the bridge and to see where we're going. You really get a feeling of being a part of something bigger."

Peleliu is the flagship for the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.