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Operations Department

Navigation Division

In July of 2003, the Coast Guard merged the former Quartermaster rate and the Boatswain’s Mate rate, creating one rate under the Boatswain’s Mate rating badge. Traditionally, Quartermasters were assigned to the Navigation Division in the Operations Division and Boatswains Mates were assigned to the Deck Division in the Weapons Department.

Boatswain’s Mates assigned to Legend Class cutters will serve in both the Navigation Division and the Deck Division. This ensures that each Boatswain’s Mate is exposed to all of the skill sets necessary to be successful in a fully merged rating.

The Navigation Division is composed of Boatswain's Mates, and rated Seamen led by the Assistant Navigator. The responsibilities of the Navigation Division include the safe navigation of the cutter, celestial and terrestrial navigation, chart correction, maintaining ships logs, maintaining and calibrating navigation instruments, voyage planning and honors and ceremonies.

Inport, the Navigation Division with the help of some shipmates stands the Gangway Petty Officer of the Watch (GPOW), meets and greets official visitors to the cutter and maintains this ceremonial part of the ship, the Quarterdeck.

Underway, the Navigation Division stands watches on the bridge including Boatswain Mate of The Watch (BMOW), and Officer of the Deck (OOD) ensuring the safe navigation of the ship.

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Last Modified 9/24/2009