DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3440.18
N46
13 Nov 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3440.18
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: PROCEDURES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR SHIPBOARD
NON-NUCLEAR CASUALTIES WHILE IN PORT AT A U.S. NAVAL
INSTALLATION OR A U.S. SHIP REPAIR OR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Ref: (a) OPNAVINST N3040.5E (NOTAL)
(b) OPNAVINST 3440.15D
(c) OPNAVINST 3440.17A
(d) NAVSEA Technical Publication S0570-AC-CCM-010/8010, Industrial Ship Safety
Manual for Fire Prevention and Response (ACN-2/A) of 17 July 2018
(e) OPNAVINST 5450.340A
(f) OPNAVINST 4700.7L
(g) OPNAVINST F3100.6J (NOTAL)
Encl: (1) Definitions
(2) Response Procedures
(3) Chain of Command
(4) Reporting
(5) Public Information
1. Purpose. To establish an emergency response command structure, define responsibilities,
and provide procedures and reporting requirements for major shipboard non-nuclear casualties
on U.S. Navy commissioned United States Ships, and in-service vessels manned by pre-
commissioning units while in port at a U.S. naval installation or at a U.S. ship repair or
construction activity.
2. Discussion
a. The size of in-port duty sections and scope of industrial work being performed while in
port could render normal shipboard damage control protocols, systems, or equipment inoperable
or incapable of combating a major shipboard casualty. A major shipboard non-nuclear casualty
could cause significant personnel injury, equipment damage, a threat to the nuclear reactor plant
on nuclear powered warships, a threat to a nuclear weapon on nuclear weapon capable warships,
or result in members of the general population being exposed to hazardous materials. Current
industrial work practices, fire safety procedures, shipboard casualty response procedures, and
training are in place to minimize the probability of such an event. Even with such measures in
place, there still exists a remote but real possibility that such a major casualty may occur.
