On the longer trips everyone will be assigned to a watch. Watch duty is 4 hours on and 8 hours off. A standard system on almost all ships. The watches on the Swan are split into 3 separate watch teams which operate day and night.

• Watch A .. .. 12.00 - 4.00
• Watch B .. .. 4.00 - 8.00
• Watch C .. .. 8.00 - 12.00

This means that watch A will come on at 12.00 (noon) and be in charge of sailing and working the Swan till 4.00 p.m. At 4.00 p.m. watch A can relax as watch B takes over. At midnight watch A relives watch C who were on from 8.00 p.m. to midnight and keep watch till 4.00 a.m. when they are relived again by watch B. While at anchor or in port overnight there are no watch duties for voyage crew.

While on watch you will be under the command of your watch leader and your watch will be temporarily responsible for the safe operation of the Swan. Duties are many and varied and include steering, setting sail, keeping a lookout, helping in the galley and occasionally performing routine maintenance. You are encouraged to participate but nothing barring obvious safety requirements, is compulsory and you will not be forced into doing anything you feel uncomfortable about.

Once you are off watch, there is plenty of time to relax, read, yarn with your shipmates, have a cup of tea or a nap.