Part of the fun of recreational boating is keeping with the traditions of the merchant marine and the naval service F and on long trips that encompass a weekend or longer, keeping the watch is one such tradition. ItBs always prudent to have someone awake and alert at all times when the boat is away from port, to warn of, and take care of, any dangerous situations that may arise.
12 Midnight to 4AM F Midwatch
4AM to 8AM F Morning Watch
8AM to Noon F Forenoon Watch
Noon to 4PM F Afternoon Watch
4PM to 8PM F Dog Watch (it is divided in half so watch standers can have dinner)
8PM to Midnight F Night Watch
Now, how did sailors who didnBt have time pieces, tell the time on their watches? Whoever had charge of the deck during the watch had a half-hour sandglass. When the sand ran out, he would ring the appropriate number of bells.
Eight bells always signals the change of watch. So as our example, letBs begin at midnight with eight. Half an hour later, at 12:30 we ring one bell F at 1AM two, at 1:30, three, at 2AM, four, at 2:30, five, at 3AM, six, at 3:30, seven and at the change of watch at 4AM, we start over at 8 Bells.
There are clocks you can buy that automatically chime the watch. On your boat, you might just instruct the watch stander to clang your boatBs bell the appropriate number every half hour so even in the dark as you snooze away in your cabin, youBre up to date on where in the watch you are.
