What is a critical step to take when dealing with a civil external disturbance?

When responding to a civil external disturbance, securing the weather deck to nonessential personnel is a critical step because it helps ensure the safety of all personnel onboard. This action minimizes the risk of exposure to potential threats or chaos occurring outside the vessel. By limiting access to areas where personnel could inadvertently become involved in or impacted by the disturbance, the ship can better maintain order and safety.

Additionally, securing nonessential personnel helps to concentrate resources and attention on effectively managing the situation. While logging occurrences is important for record-keeping, and preparing for immediate evacuation may be necessary in extreme cases, the immediate priority is to protect the crew and passengers from unnecessary risk by controlling access and maintaining a secure environment. Calling a ship-wide meeting may also be seen as a way to inform personnel, but it could create additional challenges if not managed carefully during a disturbance. By choosing to secure the weather deck, the focus remains on maintaining safety and order.