Navigation Department
The department that knows exactly where the ship is and where she's going.
What They Do
The Navigation Department answers the most basic question at sea: where are we, and where are we going? Its quartermasters maintain the charts, keep the ship’s logs, and continuously fix the vessel’s position so the captain and officer of the deck always know precisely where a thousand feet of warship sits on the water.
Standing watch on the bridge, quartermasters advise on courses, track the ship’s movement, and warn of navigational hazards and shoaling water. They blend traditional skills — charts, bearings, and dead reckoning — with electronic aids to keep the ship safely on track through open ocean, crowded straits, and the approaches to port.
Aboard Constellation
Guiding a carrier demanded relentless attention, for a ship of such size and draft cannot turn or stop quickly and has little room for error in confined waters. Quartermasters plotted the track far in advance, fixed the position at regular intervals, and kept a wary eye on traffic, currents, and depth as the ship transited toward its operating areas.
On the bridge they were the captain’s trusted hands on the chart, recording every course and speed change in the log and standing ready to recommend action the instant a hazard appeared. Their steady, exacting watch ensured that wherever the deployment carried the ship, she arrived safely and on time.
Roster
Sailors of Navigation · Department roster, Navigation Department, USS Constellation (CV-64), WESTPAC ’94–95 — transcribed from the original cruise book. Each name links to that Sailor’s page in the scanned book. See a misspelling or a shipmate we missed? Tell us and we’ll fix it.
- LCDRDarryl L. Barrickmanp. 159
- LCDRKevin J. Keiltyp. 159
- QMCMJohn C. Houstonp. 159
- QM1Keith R. Johnsonp. 160
- QM2David L. Partinp. 160
- QM2Gerard M. Philsonp. 160
- QM3Robert A. Aceretp. 160
- QM3Rudy Alavarezp. 160
- QM3Steve A. Garyp. 160
- QM3Donald V. Lepekp. 160
- QM3Derek Razop. 160
- QM3Brian R.W. Wardp. 160
- YNSALouis A. Gutierrezp. 160
- QMSAJason E. Holbrookp. 160
Questions & Answers
What does the Navigation Department do?
Its quartermasters keep the charts, fix the ship's position, maintain the logs, and stand the bridge watch that keeps the carrier safely on its intended track.
What is a quartermaster in the Navy?
A quartermaster is the enlisted navigation specialist responsible for charts, position fixing, logkeeping, and assisting the officer of the deck in safely steering the ship.