Operations Department

These descriptions are for the Operations Department, which is represented by the color yellow. The positions of the Operations Department include the following.

Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer has the primary responsibility of ensuring that ship functions, such as the use of the lateral sensor array, do not interfere with one and another. S/he must prioritize resource allocations, so that the most critical activities can have every chance of success. If so required, s/he can curtail shipboard functions if s/he thinks they will interfere with the ship's current mission or routine operations.

A Chief Operations officer is also responsible for the oversight of the maintenance of transporters, the computer core, life support and sensors.

The Chief Operations Officer is a Department head, and a member of the Senior Staff.

Assistant Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer cannot man the bridge at all times. Extra personnel are needed to relive and maintain ship operations. The Operations Officers are thus assistants to the Chief, fulfilling his/her duties when required, and assuming the Operations consoles if required at any time.

The Assistant Chief Operations Officer is the second-in-command of the Operations Department, and can assume the role of Chief Operations Officer on a temporary or permanent basis if so needed.

Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer cannot man the bridge at all times. Extra personnel are needed to relive and maintain ship operations. The Operations Officers are thus assistants to the Chief, fulfilling his/her duties when required, and assuming the Operations consoles if required at any time.

The Operations Officer reports to the Chief Operations Officer.

Boatswain

Each vessel and base has one Warrant Officer who holds the position of Boatswain. The Boatswain (pronounced and also written "Bosun" or "Bos'n") trains and supervises personnel (including both the ship's company or base personnel as well as passengers or vessels) in general ship and base operations, repairs, and protocols; maintains duty assignments for all Operations personnel; sets the agenda for instruction in general ship and base operations; supervises auxiliary and utility service personnel and daily ship or base maintenance; coordinates all personnel cross-trained in damage control operations and supervises damage control and emergency operations; may assume any Bridge or Operations role as required; and is qualified to temporarily act at Operations if so ordered. The Boatswain reports to the Chief Operations Officer.

Boatswain's Mate

The Boatswain, like many other positions, needs help at times. The Boatswain's Mate is a Non-commissioned officer that assists the Boatswain and helps out in the Operations Department wherever needed.

Materials Officer

Replicator usage can allow the fabrication of nearly any critical mission part, but large-scale replication is not considered energy-efficient except in emergency situations. However, in such situations, power usage is strictly limited, so it is unwise to depend upon the availability of replicated spare parts.

Thus a ship/facility must maintain a significant stock of spare parts in inventory at all times. The Materials Officer is the person responsible for the requesting part from Starfleet and maintaining the stock and inventory of all spare parts. All request for supplies are passed to the Materials Officer, who check and send the final request to the XO for final approval. A good Materials Officer is never caught short on supplies.

Quartermaster

The Quartermaster trains and supervises crewmen in Bridge operations, repairs, and protocols and sets the agenda for instruction in general ship and starbase operations for the Boatswain¹s Mate; maintains the ship's log, the ship's clock, and watch and duty assignments for all Bridge personnel; may assume any Bridge (i.e. CONN) or Operations role (i.e. transporter) as required; and is qualified to temporarily act as Commanding or Executive Officer if so ordered.

Quartermasters ensure that all officers and crew perform their duties consistent with Starfleet directives. The Quartermaster reports to the Executive Officer.

Communications Officer

Communications is a vital part of each and every starship. The Communications Officer monitors any and all transmissions aboard ship, as well as externally. The Communications Officer is an experienced linguist, proficient in many different languages.

Starbases and outposts, as well as vessels with an above average amount of transmissions (such as flagships) usually have a separate Communications Department run by a senior officer.