Nautical Term: OIC

Definition of OIC

The term Officer in Charge (OIC) refers to the naval officer who has been assigned the overall command and supervision of a particular naval vessel, detachment, or station.

For instance, during a long-range naval patrol, the captain of a destroyer might decide to detach a smaller vessel, such as a patrol craft, to conduct surveillance and interdiction operations in a more confined area. In this scenario, the commander of the patrol craft would be designated as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the detachment. As the OIC, this officer would be responsible for the overall command and supervision of the detachment, ensuring that all missions are carried out efficiently and effectively.

Explore other nautical terms:

Head back to the Nautical Dictionary

Take a Tour With Us!

Recommended Reading