Before securing the weather deck during a civil disturbance, what is the first step?

The first step before securing the weather deck during a civil disturbance is to recall gangway watch and pier services if needed. This action is crucial because it helps establish control and security in the area immediately surrounding the vessel. Ensuring that these personnel are in place allows for better management of the situation and increases safety for both ship personnel and those on the pier.

Having the gangway watch and pier services available provides an immediate response capability to monitor and control access to the ship, ensuring that no unauthorized personnel can approach during a potentially volatile situation. This proactive measure is essential for maintaining the security of the vessel and personnel amidst the disturbance.

While ensuring all personnel are accounted for, contacting authorities, or logging the disturbance are important actions to take, they are secondary to establishing a secure perimeter around the ship, which can only be achieved by recalling the appropriate personnel first.