Andrew Pace
Watches on boats are a necessary safety measure, especially on long voyages. Even on a four-hour voyage, someone should be on lookout duty. The number of people on watch duty depends on the type of boat, the experience of the crew, the length of the voyage, the weather, and whether there is a working autopilot. Watches can be done in shifts, with crew members taking turns to be on duty for six hours during the day and two, three or four hours during the night. Yacht watches are a type of watch with a display indicating a critical countdown time. They can be set by unscrewing the crown, turning the rotating bezel ninety degrees counterclockwise, and pressing the pusher at the 4-o'clock position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Watch schedule | Depends on the type and complexity of the boat, the number and experience of the crew, the length of the passage, the weather and sea state, and whether you have a working autopilot |
| Watch length | Six hours on during the day with 2, 3 or 4-hour rotations during the night |
| Watch frequency | More frequent and active on near coastal passages or in shipping lanes |
| Watch standing orders | Clear and specific as to what to do and when and under what circumstances to wake the captain |
| Yacht watch key feature | Display indicating that critical countdown time |
| Yacht watch function | Countdown function in a horseshoe shape on the interior of the dial at the 12-o’clock position |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of a lookout
A lookout should be familiar with the navigation and electronics equipment aboard, including the chartplotter, radar, AIS, and VHF radio. They should be able to use the radar to scroll up and down in range to see what is nearby and check the AIS collision system periodically.
The frequency of watch standing will depend on the location of the boat. For example, watch standing must be more frequent and active on near coastal passages or in shipping lanes.
The length of time spent on watch duty will also depend on the circumstances. For example, during the day, someone might do six hours on with two, three, or four-hour rotations at night. An extreme schedule for a crew of two might include non-rotating watches of eight hours.
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Navigation and electronics equipment
Watches on a boat are scheduled depending on the type and complexity of the boat, the number and experience of the crew, the length of the passage, the weather and sea state, and whether you have a working autopilot. A four-hour voyage still necessitates that someone is a lookout even on a clear day with flat seas and ten knots of breeze.
Everyone should be familiar with the navigation and electronics equipment aboard and be able to use the chartplotter, radar, AIS, and VHF radio. Develop a routine that includes scrolling up and down in range on the radar to see what’s near and check the AIS collision system periodically. Watch standing must be more frequent and active on near coastal passages or in shipping lanes. Set electronic proximity and engine alarms and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Standing orders should be clear and specific as to what to do and when and under what circumstances to wake the captain.
The key feature of a yacht watch is a display indicating that critical countdown time. From more widely known models, like the Rolex Yacht-Master II, to vintage models, like the Heuer Skipper, most regatta timers share the same basic functions. However, various models have different ways of illustrating this interval, often using a combination of colours and numbers. The Rolex Yacht-Master II features a countdown function in a horseshoe shape on the interior of the dial at the 12-o’clock position. The display illustrates a ten-minute timer with a red chronograph seconds hand and a flyback function. With the push of a button, this allows the regatta timer to sync with a reference clock to the nearest minute. To set the regatta timer, unscrew the crown, turn the rotating bezel ninety degrees counterclockwise, and press the pusher at the 4-o’clock position.
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Watch schedules
A workable schedule might include six-hour watches during the day with two, three or four-hour rotations at night. This is a more sustainable schedule than a rigid four-on/four-off pattern. For a crew of two, an extreme but viable schedule on a long passage might include non-rotating watches of eight hours.
Watch standing must be more frequent and active on near coastal passages or in shipping lanes. Electronic proximity and engine alarms should be set, and everyone should know how to use them. Standing orders should be clear and specific as to what to do and when, and under what circumstances to wake the captain.
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Yacht watch features
Yacht watches are an essential part of sailing, whether on a yacht or a smaller boat. The key feature of a yacht watch is a display indicating the critical countdown time. Most regatta timers share the same basic functions, but different models have different ways of illustrating this interval, often using a combination of colours and numbers. For example, the Rolex Yacht-Master II features a countdown function in a horseshoe shape on the interior of the dial at the 12 o'clock position. This display illustrates a ten-minute timer with a red chronograph seconds hand and a flyback function. With the push of a button, the regatta timer can sync with a reference clock to the nearest minute. To set the regatta timer, unscrew the crown, turn the rotating bezel ninety degrees counterclockwise, and press the pusher at the 4 o'clock position.
The number of people on a yacht watch and the length of their shifts will depend on various factors, including the type and complexity of the boat, the number and experience of the crew, the length of the passage, the weather and sea state, and whether there is a working autopilot. For example, on a four-hour voyage, someone should be on lookout duty even on a clear day with flat seas and ten knots of breeze. On coastal passages or in shipping lanes, watch standing must be more frequent and active. An extreme but viable schedule for a crew of two on a long passage may include non-rotating watches of eight hours. One person takes the 08:00-16:00 shift, and the other takes the 20:00-04:00 shift. The remainder of the time, both are awake, giving them time to socialise, communicate about boat issues and eat together.
It is important that everyone on the yacht watch is familiar with the navigation and electronics equipment aboard and knows how to use the chartplotter, radar, AIS, and VHF radio. They should also know how to set electronic proximity and engine alarms and be clear on standing orders, including what to do and when, and under what circumstances to wake the captain.
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Setting a regatta timer
To set the regatta timer, you must first unscrew the crown. Then, turn the rotating bezel ninety degrees counterclockwise. Finally, press the pusher at the 4-o'clock position. This will allow the regatta timer to sync with a reference clock to the nearest minute.
The regatta timer is an important tool for those standing watches on a boat. The schedule for this can vary depending on the circumstances and the number of crew members. For example, with a crew of two, an extreme but viable schedule for a long passage may include non-rotating watches of eight hours. This means one person takes the 08:00-16:00 shift, and the other takes the 20:00-04:00 shift. During the remaining time, both crew members are awake and can socialise, communicate about boat issues, and eat together.
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Frequently asked questions
A yacht watch is a type of watch with a display indicating a critical countdown time. This is known as a regatta timer.
Yacht watches have a countdown function, often in a horseshoe shape on the interior of the dial at the 12 o'clock position. They illustrate a ten-minute timer with a red chronograph seconds hand and a flyback function. With the push of a button, the regatta timer can sync with a reference clock to the nearest minute.
To set the regatta timer, unscrew the crown, turn the rotating bezel ninety degrees counterclockwise, and press the pusher at the 4 o'clock position.
Watches on a boat refer to the crew's shifts. The number of people on a watch depends on the type and complexity of the boat, the number and experience of the crew, the length of the passage, the weather and sea state, and whether you have a working autopilot. For example, a four-hour voyage still necessitates that someone is a lookout even on a clear day with flat seas and ten knots of breeze.
