officer of the deck

officer of the deck

n. pl. officers of the deck

A naval officer assigned to represent the commanding officer of a vessel or installation for a specified period during which he or she is superior to all officers below the executive officer.

---

The officer of the deck under way has been designated by the commanding officer to be in charge of the ship, including its safe and proper operation. The officer of the deck reports directly to the commanding officer for the safe navigation and general operation of the ship, to the executive officer (and command duty officer if appointed) for carrying out the ship's routine, and to the navigator on sighting navigational landmarks and making course and speed changes. Also called OOD.