Who is responsible for training individuals to serve as lookouts?

The responsibility for training individuals to serve as lookouts falls primarily to the Combat Information Center (CIC) Watch Officer. This position is crucial because CIC personnel play a vital role in maintaining situational awareness and ensuring the safety of the vessel. The CIC Watch Officer oversees the collection and analysis of navigational and tactical information, including training lookouts to effectively report potential hazards, identify surface contacts, and understand their roles in the broader context of navigation and safety.

Lookouts must be able to communicate effectively and work in concert with other members of the crew, and the CIC Watch Officer's leadership is essential in providing this training. They ensure that lookouts are prepared to understand what to look for and how to respond in varying situations, contributing to the ship's overall operational readiness and safety.

The other roles mentioned, while they may have responsibilities related to watchstanding and navigation, do not directly entail the training of lookouts in the same way the CIC Watch Officer does.