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jackdale · 03-04-2017, 06:29

Is anyone familiar with a watch system based on these premises:

4 crew, A, B, C, D
One shift on, off for 3

0600 - 0900 A
0900 - 1200 B
1200 - 1400 C
1400 - 1600 D
1600 - 1800 A
1800 - 2000 B
2200 - 2400 C
0000 - 0200 D
0400 - 0600 A

etc..

Can links be provided to any blogs, etc., who have used it?

Any comments about the approach.

Thanks

Jack

TheOffice · 03-04-2017, 09:40

3 on 9 off? Only 1 person standing watch? In benign conditions with no traffic it might be OK, but I prefer 2 people on watch. OTOH, 3 hours of sleep is not enough.

**boatman61** · 03-04-2017, 09:56

Would it not be better having something like..
A/ 0800-1200
B/1200-1600
C/1600-1800 (1st dog watch)
D/1800-2000 (2nd dog watch)
A/2000-2359
B/2359-0400
C/0400-0800
D/0800-1200
Also.. have A on watch and B on standby.. then B on watch C on standby and so on.. covers rotation and also the watch keeper has dedicated back up for toilet breaks, coffee/sandwich maker and.. if things need adjustments the standby pauses the video/puts the book down and lends a hand.. leaving the other 2 to grab their 8hrs undisturbed.
Standard Royal Navy watches..

MV Wanderlust · 03-04-2017, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

0600 - 0900 A
0900 - 1200 B
1200 - 1400 C
1400 - 1600 D
1600 - 1800 A
1800 - 2000 B
2200 - 2400 C
0000 - 0200 D
0400 - 0600 A

I see a lot of potential for trouble between the hours of 2000 and 2200 and from 0200 to 0400.

jackdale · 03-04-2017, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman61

Would it not be better having something like..
A/ 0800-1200
B/1200-1600
C/1600-1800 (1st dog watch)
D/1800-2000 (2nd dog watch)
A/2000-2359
B/2359-0400
C/0400-0800
D/0800-1200
Also.. have A on watch and B on standby.. then B on watch C on standby and so on.. covers rotation and also the watch keeper has dedicated back up for toilet breaks, coffee/sandwich maker and.. if things need adjustments the standby pauses the video/puts the book down and lends a hand.. leaving the other 2 to grab their 8hrs undisturbed.
Standard Royal Navy watches..

Admittedly better.

My concern is one person on deck.

The crew:

2 with no bluewater passage experience (the owners, who admit to issues with mal de mer)
1 with one passage of 21 days
me

Are you familiar with a system similar to that in the original post?

ziacek · 03-04-2017, 13:20

Day 1
0700-1300 A+B
1300-1900 C+D
1900-2300 A+B
2300-0300 C+D
0300-0700 A+B
Day 2
0700-1300 C+D
1300-1900 A+B
1900-2300 C+D
2300-0300 A+B
0300-0700 C+D

and repeat

Paul L · 03-04-2017, 13:39

With a mixed crew of experience levels, I like the 3 hr shifts with overlaps.
0800 D A
0900 A
1000 A B
1100 B
1200 B C
1300 C
1400 C D
1500 D
......
This gives overlap and social conversation with 2 people on watch at most times, plus gives everyone a 1 hour solo watch, with plenty of off watch to sleep.

**Pete7** · 03-04-2017, 13:50

Can they all cook? if so 3 people on rotating watch and the fourth on mother watch doing the days cooking and cleaning but a full nights sleep before going back to three days of shifts.

Pete

**boatman61** · 03-04-2017, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

Admittedly better.

My concern is one person on deck.

The crew:

2 with no bluewater passage experience (the owners, who admit to issues with mal de mer)
1 with one passage of 21 days
me

Are you familiar with a system similar to that in the original post?

If you split yourself 'A' and the 21day passage guy 'C' you'll have the inexperienced owners (B and D) covered by at least one of you with experience at all times.. when I say 'standby watch' I mean close to hand, awake and dressed, but not necessarily exposed to the elements, doing other little jobs.. prepping the next meal.. maybe navigation/system checks etc.
Most of my deliveries owner assist and crewed have been myself plus one where I'm actively 'on' 20hrs with occasional power naps in the salon and sleep properly for 4.. with instructions to call me for anything they're unsure about/sail/weather changes.
Lets face it.. the AP does most all the work under way..

44'cruisingcat · 03-04-2017, 15:20

With 4 crew we did 2 hours on, 6 hours off. The "on watch" crews job was to do just that- watch. If any changes needed to be made the next on watch was roused, so there were two to do the job, and everyone got 4 hours sleep at least.

It worked well for us.

leftbrainstuff · 03-04-2017, 16:10

What's obvious is that there is no watch system that suits all.

**StuM** · 03-04-2017, 16:34

Given your stated crew, I'd go with two watches. My preferred 2 watch system is "modified Swedish":

A 0600 - 1200
B 1200 - 1800
A 1800 - 2300
B 2300 - 0300
A 0300 - 0600

jackdale · 03-04-2017, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuM

Given your stated crew, I'd go with two watches. My preferred 2 watch system is "modified Swedish":

A 0600 - 1200
B 1200 - 1800
A 1800 - 2300
B 2300 - 0300
A 0300 - 0600

Thanks Stu

This is one subject on which you and I are in full agreement.

Jack

Look for a PM with more details.