A Day in the LIfe of the Tall Ship Intersession

For people aboard ships, life at sea is organized into "watch systems".  Three watches (student groups) are established each with an adult watch leader.  While underway, the ship works 24 hours a day and each watch takes four hour shifts throughout the day and night (length of watches can vary depending on the ship).  Watches are filled with the challenges of sailing the vessel, as well as chores to keep the vessel safe, clean and fed.

• All Hands Meeting:  After lunch (usually 1300), there is an "All Hands Meeting" which is when ALL members of the crew meet together.  These meetings are run by the Captain and each watch will present a report about the ship.  They also may include a lesson or other event. 
• Meals:  Meals are prepared and served by students as part of their watch duties.  Meals are eaten around watch changes, and for that reason are eaten in two shifts.  The first shift is the oncoming watch and "idlers" (those who are not assigned to a watch like the Captain).  The second shift is served after the watch change and consists of the offcoming watch and the off watch.

The table below provides an example of a watch schedule and duties in the watch:

Time	Watch Name	Activities
0400-0800	Dawn Watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel Soles and bowls (cleaning floors and "heads" (aka bathrooms)) Breakfast Prep Breakfast wake-ups for sleeping crewmembers  Preparation of report for All Hands Meeting
0800-1200	Morning Watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel Breakfast cleanup Deck wash (cleaning decks, bulkheads and neatening lines) Lunch Prep Preparation of report for All Hands Meeting
1200-1600 1300 All Hands Meeting	Noon Watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel Lunch cleanup Wake ups for "All Hands Meeting"
1600-2000	Dinner Watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel  Dinner Prep Dinner Cleanup
2000-0000	Night Watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel Learning the stars!
0000-0400	Mid-watch	Sailing and navigating the vessel

At Anchor

There will be days when we will be anchoring during the night.  During these times, a modified watch schedule is employed so that someone is always awake throughout the night to make sure the anchor stays put, and the weather does not bring us any surprises.