Pip Hare explains why efficient and well-planned watch handovers are vital to ensure a happy crew and a well kept yacht on passageOn longer voyages, and passages with larger crews, a good watch system is essential to the efficient running of the boat. But the same watch system can also hinder good communication and sharing of knowledge leading to poor performance, technical problems being overlooked and at times a discord \u2013 even tribalism \u2013 among the crew. These problems can all be avoided through efficient and well-planned watch handovers.
\nWhether sailing double-handed or in a crew of 20, the time two watches spend together is critical to the smooth running of your boat and watch handovers should be briefed and executed in the same way throughout a trip.
\nCrews should understand that allowing enough time for a handover is expected for both the incoming and outgoing watches, and arriving late for watches or scuttling off deck as soon as another crew person shows up is never acceptable.
\nWatch handovers & smooth transitions
\nHere\u2019s how a well-executed watch handover works:<\/p>\n
The new watch arrives on deck 5-10 minutes before they take over, appropriately dressed with equipment, drinks and snacks for the watch. They acclimatise to the conditions, talk to the previous watch crew about how it has been on deck, get their night vision.
\nA formal handover between the two watches takes place.
\nThe two watch leaders, if relevant, agree parameters for waking the skipper, even if these have not changed since the last watch changeover.
\nIf there is a sail change or manoeuvre that has been saved until the change of the watch, this can be performed with the old watch leader still in charge.
\nThe new watch takes over during a 5-10 minute handover. With larger watches this means leaving one or two crewmembers on the deck to support the old crew while the others go down and get ready for the off watch. Crew members who are early off watch can check that the new watch crew have everything they need, and an offer to pass up hot drinks or extra clothing if required is often appreciated.
\nOff-going crewmembers go below, being careful to use red or low lights at night while preparing to rest.
\nInformation exchange<\/p>\n
Sometimes there will be little to report between watches, while at others there will be a lot to go over. It\u2019s useful to have a checklist to work through to make sure nothing falls through the gap and is forgotten. Work through the list each time and confirm that there is nothing to report against each heading. This list could be put up by the chart table.
\nDon\u2019t rush handover, take some time to acclimatise, particularly if taking the helm as oncoming watch crew. Photo: 59\u00b0 North Sailing
\nAn example watch handover list could be:<\/p>\n
Safety considerations \u2013 navigation, weather, traffic.
\nCondition of crew \u2013 sickness, fatigue, morale.
\nCondition of boat \u2013 any problems, damage, other concerns.
\nWind report \u2013 past, general trend, expectations.
\nSail plan and anticipated changes.
\nSteering characteristics, pilot settings, pilot performance.
\nTrim notes \u2013 agreed parameters for waking skipper or waking other watch.
\nState of batteries \u2013 charging schedule.
\nRoutine tasks to be completed during watch (eg weather download).<\/p>\n
Depending on the makeup of your crew different items can be briefed between crewmembers. Explain how you have been using the instruments and what each one is displaying, particularly if you have changed the size or data set on any of the screens. Talk through any alarms that have been set.
\nWatch timings
\nBefore starting an offshore passage, it is important to agree with the crew watch timings and make sure all understand that the length of the watch is the length of time on deck and in command of the boat \u2013 not the length of time in your bunk asleep.
\nRepeatedly arriving on deck late for a watch will quickly start to generate bad feeling among a crew and fatigue for the other watch. If your watch system is three hours, this will equate to between two and two-and-a-half hours of sleep, depending on how efficiently you are able to get from the deck to your bunk and back.
\nWatch handover can be a good time for planned manoeuvres or all-crew briefings. Photo: 59\u00b0 North Sailing
\nMake sure you allow a realistic amount of time to get in and out of foulies, use the heads and prepare food and drink \u2013 remember for a larger watch this will mean sharing common areas so space may be an issue and some crew may need to get on deck early to free up room to change.
\nItems such as head torches and phones should be charged up when you are off watch, so leave enough time to plug them in before going to your bunk. Agree a time with the outgoing watch at which they can wake you if you have not appeared for the changeover.
\nArticle continues below\u2026<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMasterclass: Pip Hare on tuning an autopilot<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe latest generation of autopilots require less manual input to perform well but, besides selecting the correct mode (read Pip\u2026<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOnboard communication: Pip Hare\u2019s guide<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEarlier this year I was lucky enough to join the French crew of the IMOCA 60 Bureau Vall\u00e9e 3 for\u2026<\/p>\n
Preparing hot drinks can slow things down so in smaller watches make sure you light the stove as soon as you are up. With larger crews a member of the outgoing watch could go down below down and light the stove 15 minutes before the handover.
\nIf you wake up late, or need to take more time to get on deck, then let the other watch know straight away so that they can adjust their expectations for getting off the deck, especially if the weather is bad.
\nAll hands on deck
\nRather than a handover period, think of this watch changeover as an opportunity to sail the boat fully crewed. When cruising you can plan to tack or gybe at the watch handover, or to change up to a bigger sail. When racing this will be a chance to recap on strategy and performance, to pass on information about how the boat is performing and where other competitors are.
\nOn night watch. Photo: Richard Langdon
\nOn a racing crew each position will hand over to their counterpart individually while the watch captains will exchange an overview. Larger racing teams may have navigators who are not part of the watch system, but will aim to be present at the watch handovers and brief the incoming watch on what they want them to achieve over the length of the watch.
\nThese handover times are a good opportunity for skippers to learn about the health and welfare of crewmembers, but also of the boat itself. If there is something wrong with the boat then the watch leaders can agree how to manage the situation and when and how it will be fixed, taking into account daylight and weather conditions. If a crewmember is unwell or if there is discord within a watch this can also be addressed and a timeline to swap or rest crews can be agreed.
\nMorale-boosting
\nWhether fully crewed or short-handed, you will often find that the appearance of a fresh face or new people on deck leads to a burst of energy from the outgoing watch. These times are not only valuable for an exchange of information but they can be crucial to keeping spirits up and enhancing a crew\u2019s enjoyment of a passage.
\nDon\u2019t be too quick to rush off the deck \u2013 a quick bit of banter or some kind enquiries about how the others slept are as important as the more technical details. If you are a skipper involved in the watch system this could be an opportunity to check on the welfare of another watch, and for any nervous or novice crew members appearing on deck the reassurance of normal conversation will start their watch well.
\nEnsure the space below is left clean and dry for the next watch, dishes are washed up, wet gear hung in the agreed place, and if hot bunking stow your personal kit away. Leave the deck well organised, with ropes coiled and tidied.
\nMore than anything, try to encourage an atmosphere of support and kindness between watches. If you make sure the team on deck are happy and have everything they need before you turn in then they will treat you in the same way.<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
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Pip Hare explains why efficient and well-planned watch handovers are vital to ensure a happy crew and a well kept yacht on passageOn longer voyages, and passages with larger crews, a good watch system is essential to the efficient running … <\/p>\n