MANNING THE RAIL PROCEDURES
1. The crew will be divided into two basic groups: one main group at the back of
the general seating area and one group dispersed throughout the ship to facilitate
manning the rail and the coming alive ceremony. Only an absolute minimum number
will remain on the ship.
2. The ceremonial quarterdeck watch will be in the front of the seating section,
facing the guests, and will board the ship through the forward brow when the watch
is set.
3. After the boatswain’s mate pipes the crew to the rail, the following actions will
take place:
a. The band will commence playing “Anchors Aweigh” upon the order to
march.
b. Immediately, those on the left (facing the ship) of the main group will double
time, by column, onto the ship through the center aisle and forward brow. The first
man in the group will proceed down the side until he reaches the speaker’s area with
the others following until the rail is manned. At this time, the next man will proceed
forward to the bullnose and those following will man the rail aft to the quarterdeck
(FR 120). Those personnel whose stations are within the MT 51 danger circle will
form a second rank behind those outside the aft of the danger circle only during the
come alive evolution. The officers and chief petty officers in the group will man the
rail forward and aft of the speaker’s platform.
c. Simultaneously, the group to the right (facing the ship) will proceed down
the center aisle and cross in front of the audience. The group will proceed down the
pier, cross the after brow and man the after part of the ship. Those personnel whose
station is within the MT 52 danger circle will form a second rank behind those
outside and forward of the danger circle only during the come alive ceremony. As
with the other group, the officers and chief petty officers will man the rail forward
and aft of the speakers platform.
d. Some men may be hidden inside the ship to man the rails. The senior man
of each group will ensure that the group double times into place in synchronization.
e. The honor guard will remain on the pier.
f. When manning the rail, each crewman will stop in his appropriate position,
do a sharp left or right face, as appropriate, then do a normal interval dress right or
left to the crewman next to him, doing a “ready to” once in position.
The above procedures will be adopted/modified as necessary after initial
rehearsals to ensure a smart evolution.
Enclosure (8)
AV-22
