Watches on an Atlantic Crossing: Organisation and Tips
Watchkeeping is essential for a safe and successful Atlantic crossing. Here's how it works.
Héloïse Everytransatlantic3 min readUpdated on
Contents
Keeping an eye on the weather, handling the boat, monitoring everything on board… An Atlantic crossing demands constant vigilance! To cross safely, the crew therefore rotates according to an organised system of "watches".
Here's an overview of how it works, which watch system to choose for an Atlantic crossing, and some tips for managing your watches effectively.
What is a watch at sea?
In offshore sailing, a "watch" is the period of time during which one or more crew members are responsible for keeping an eye on the boat and handling the navigation.
To maintain continuous vigilance, the crew is put on a rotation tailored to the specific needs of the crossing: some members stand watch while the others rest. Then the roles are swapped according to a set schedule.
Watches: essential on a transat
Setting up and properly managing watches is essential for a safe and efficient crossing.
In particular, they ensure:
- constant supervision of the boat
- weather monitoring
- good management of fatigue, sleep at sea and everyone's needs
- an available, efficient and more close-knit crew
The different watch systems and how they work
Because every crossing and every crew is different, there's a whole range of watch systems! Here are 5 systems commonly used on transats.
Note that this isn't an exhaustive list. Each crew chooses its own system based on its specific needs!
The 4/8 system
- 4 hours on watch for 8 hours of sleep, day and night
- Longer rest periods, but more tiring night watches
- Suitable for novice crew (4 to 6 people)
The 3/3 system
- Alternating 3 hours of sleep and 3 hours of rest, day and night
- Regular vigilance but fragmented sleep
- Suits smaller crews (2 to 3 people)
The pyramid system
- Alternating longer watches during the day with shorter watches at night
- Example: 5/2 watch (5h day / 2h night)
- Suitable for novice crew
Solo watches
- Continuous alternation of very short watches with 30 to 60 minutes of rest between each watch
- Polyphasic (opens in a new tab) sleep
- Reserved for experienced sailors such as Guirec Soudée
How to choose your watch system
Choosing the right watch system is crucial for smooth and safe sailing. Here are the factors to consider, along with the systems best suited to different types of transat.
Criteria to consider
- The size and experience level of the crew
- The boat
- The length and conditions of the crossing
- The skipper's experience level and confidence
Which watch system should you choose for your Atlantic crossing?
| Type of crew | Recommended system | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Full crew (4 to 6 people), including novice crew, and longer crossings | 4/8 | Longer rest periods |
| Small crew (2 to 3 people) and/or shorter crossings | Pyramid or 3/3 | Effective supervision but broken rest |
| Mixed crew (experienced and novice) or more demanding night sailing | Pyramid | Long day watches, short night watches |
| Experienced solo sailor or two-handed crew | Polyphasic (opens in a new tab) sleep | Maximum flexibility |
5 tips for getting the most out of your watches
Manage your sleep well
Managing your sleep periods well is essential to stay fit and alert.
Stick to your schedule, avoid screens and limit caffeine so you're 100% ready for your watch.
Have the right gear
Prepare all the necessary gear in advance: head torch, harness, tether, lifejacket and foul-weather gear.
Look after your lifestyle
Keep your lifestyle as healthy as possible: balanced diet, hydration, enough rest.
Find the right rhythm (and stay flexible!)
Maintain a regular rhythm by sticking to your watch and rest times, while listening to your body.
Alternate tasks according to your energy levels and adjust the watches if needed.
Stimulate body and mind to stay awake
Do some stretching, take short walks, listen to music or podcasts (safely) to stay alert.
There you go, now you know all about watches on a crossing!
To stand your very first watch, check out all the skipper listings from skippers looking for crew for their crossing.
FAQ
How long does a watch at sea last?
The length of a watch depends on the watch system chosen to suit the crew and the crossing. It generally lasts between 2 and 6 hours.
Can watches be changed?
While discipline is essential for effective watches, it's important to stay flexible. Watches can be adjusted according to fatigue, the weather and sailing conditions.
How do you manage watches when sailing solo?
When you head offshore alone, iron discipline matters all the more! You adopt [polyphasic](https://www.santemagazine.fr/sante/bien-dormir/sommeil-polyphasique-dormir-plusieurs-fois-en-journee-est-ce-utile-1058235) sleep to stay rested while keeping a constant watch. The focus is on safety (monitoring radar and GPS) and streamlining manoeuvres by automating navigation.
