Definition

Noun

  • A period of time on duty.

Origin

14th century. From the Middle English, wacche. The word goes back to the Anglo-Saxon word, waecce, meaning to watch or guard.

Comments

The idea of a watch system is to divide up the crew into divisions with periods on-watch and off-watch so the vessel remains operational around the clock. The traditional watch system divides the crew into two divisions (port and starboard) with the watches in four-hour increments (except the two dog watches which are two hours each to prevent people from standing the same watches every day). It’s as follows:

WatchDay 1Day 2
Middle Watch (0000 – 0400)Division 1Division 2
Morning Watch (0400 – 0800)Division 2Division 1
Forenoon Watch (0800 – 1200)Division 1Division 2
Afternoon Watch (1200 – 1600)Division 2Division 1
First Dog Watch (1600 – 1800)Division 1Division 2
Second Dog Watch (1800 – 2000)Division 2Division 1
First Watch (2000 – 0000)Division 1Division 2

Another alternative is to divide the crew into three divisions (red, white, blue). There are many different watch systems in use depending on the sea service (and even the country).

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

King, D., Hattendorf, J.B, & Estes, J.W. (1997). A Sea of Words: A Lexicon and Companion for Patrick O’Brian’s Seafaring Tales (2nd Ed.). Owl Books.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.