Her quickest turn—usually both screws ahead.
Her shortest turn—inner screw slow astern and the way her head scends, under all conditions.
See that the course is kept religiously—use small helm, be quick and courteous. Keep a sharp lookout for signals when passing craft at sea—Call Captain—and reply smartly.
THE WATCH OFFICER—IN PORT
While in port, merchant ships, except the larger liners, do not indulge in the luxury of an officer of the watch, in fact such a gentleman would be out of place with his telescope under his arm, dodging drafts of cargo, and listening to the repartee of the stevedores. Everything in its place, and as common sense rules in the long run, the formalities of the merchant service have settled down to the more simple courtesies of life.
A quartermaster should be on gangway watch, cleanly dressed, or in uniform, if it is worn, to see that only those who have business on board are admitted to the ship. He should salute the officers, who will return it.
On Sundays, and Holidays, when cargo is not being worked, and when the ship is at rest, an officer should be told off to stand day's duty. He should see that the vessel is in shipshape order, falls neatly coiled, decks clean, Irish pendants all removed, awnings hauled out taut, flags closely mast headed and kept clear, and that everything is kept in immaculate order about the gangway. He should not allow loitering about the gangway.
[1] Three toots vessel (or light) ahead.