Most large cruise ships boast extensive facilities and activities, which necessitates employing a virtual
army of people to ensure the “resort” operates to meet guests’ needs. Traditionally, ships
employed officers and ratings (non-officers) or crew who performed tasks related to the safe passage
and commercial activity of the vessel within a hierarchical regime. This regime was often operated on
a rotating “watch keeping” basis, from which the term “officer of the watch” is derived. Automation
has, on many vessels, changed the strict pattern of 24-hour watch keeping, but for any ship there
remains a need to maintain operational effectiveness, safety, and security. Watch duties are traditionally
4 hours in duration: 0800 to 1200, 1200 to 1600, 1600 to 2000, 2000 to 2400, 2400 to 0400
and 0400 to 0800. Typically, a deck or engineering officer will undertake two 4-hour watches in a
24-hour period.