Who is responsible for passing the word during ship announcements?

The Petty Officer of the Watch is responsible for passing the word during ship announcements because this role involves communication and information dissemination while the ship is in port. The Petty Officer of the Watch, as part of the watch team, ensures that critical information is relayed accurately and efficiently to the crew, maintaining smooth operations and compliance with protocols. This responsibility includes addressing announcements related to ship operations, safety drills, and various other shipboard events.

The Officer of the Deck oversees the entire evolution of the watch and is more focused on the overall management and safety of the ship rather than the specific tasks associated with announcements. The Chief of Staff typically handles administrative and staff coordination duties, not the direct passing of announcements. The duty Master-at-Arms (MAA) specializes in security and law enforcement on board, but does not manage communications in the same way as the Petty Officer of the Watch. Therefore, the Petty Officer of the Watch is the clearly defined position responsible for ensuring that all announcements are communicated effectively to the ship's crew.