Dog watch Dog watch Dog watch, in marine or naval terminology, is a watch, a period of work duty or a work shift, between 16:00 and 20:00 (4 pm and 8 pm). This period is split into two, with the 'first' dog watch from 16:00 to 18:00 (4 pm to 6 pm) and the 'last' dog watch from 18:00 to 20:00 (6 pm to 8 pm). Each of these watches is half the length of a standard watch. The last dog watch is also referred to as the second dog watch in some sources. For instance Jack London in "The Sea Wolf",
Watch system 1700; sometimes a light midnight meal is provided for the 0000 turnover. Various alternative watch schedules have been devised, which are typically referred to as Swedish watches. Although there is no standard for what constitutes a Swedish watch, the variations all feature some element of extended watches to accommodate longer time off. Like the traditional watch system, they begin at 2000 hours. Some popular variations have durations of 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 and 5, 5, 5, 5, 4. On merchant ships, watchstanders typically stand watch for three periods of four consecutive hours. This system has a couple of advantages: