Who is responsible for giving permission to strike the 12 o'clock bells while in port?

The responsibility for giving permission to strike the 12 o'clock bells while in port falls to the Command Duty Officer (CDO). This authority is grounded in the structure of naval operations and ensures that there is an accountability chain for significant actions on the ship. The CDO is responsible for the safety and operational integrity of the vessel while in port and acts as a representative of the commanding officer (CO). Given the importance of keeping the ship’s routines and schedules accurately, the CDO’s involvement in this decision reflects the need for consistency and communication in shipboard operations.

The other roles, such as the Officer of the Deck (OOD) and Executive Officer (XO), have their specific duties that do not typically include granting permission for routine timekeeping activities like striking the bells. The CO, while ultimately in charge, usually delegates such specific responsibilities to other officers to ensure efficient operations.