What should you do if a decision to escalate to GQ arises during a disturbance?

In the context of handling disturbances while serving as Officer of the Deck (OOD), notifying the Commanding Officer (CO) or Command Duty Officer (CDO) immediately is critical for several reasons.

The CO is ultimately responsible for the safety and security of the vessel and its personnel. By escalating to General Quarters (GQ), you're acting on a serious decision that could have significant implications for the ship's readiness and response posture. It’s important to ensure that the highest level of the chain of command is informed so that they can authorize and coordinate the necessary actions and resources.

Timely communication with the CO/CDO allows for a unified and strategic response to potentially hazardous situations, ensuring that any escalation is handled with appropriate authority and oversight. This makes it easier to manage resources effectively and prepare the crew for an immediate and effective reaction to the disturbance.

While assessing the situation and waiting for additional reports from intelligence may seem prudent, such steps could lead to delays in response during a critical time. Consulting the crew for their opinions, although valuable in many situations, is not necessary when immediate action is required to ensure ship security and crew safety.