Watch System - Union

A watch system, watch schedule, or watch bill is a method of assigning regular periods of work duty aboard ships and some other areas of employment. A watch system allows the ship's crew to effectively operate the ship 24 hours a day for the duration of long voyages or operations.

When the Union Navy was being formed, many things that would become it's traditions came from Pre Astro Terran aquatic navies, in particular that of the Royal Navy One of those traditions was watchstanding and the division of the day into regular watches

The Standard Union Day (24 hours) is divided into 6 watches:

First watch: 2000 to 0000 Middle watch: 0000 to 0400 Morning watch: 0400 to 0800 Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200 Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600 First dog watch: 1600 to 1800 Last dog watch: 1800 to 2000

The senior bridge officers will normally rotate through the watchkeeping schedule, but any officer may be in command for the watch.