The options for different systems of watch keeping on long passages at sea are numerous and depend on many factors, not least the number of crew and their relative abilities. An informal survey among over 75 participants in the World Cruising Club’s various rallies, and a couple of professional delivery companies, has revealed a variety of views regarding the lengths of watches (and therefore the lengths of off-watches), the number of people in each watch, day-time watches, the need to change or not change watch timings, and so on. Read more.
