Northeast Coast

[Paul Racine]

During the early sixties I sailed as a junior ordinary seaman on a British coaster the MV Harcliff.
I am trying to remember the sea watch system for the coast. Was it 5 hrs on then 5 hrs off or 4 on and 4 off?
If anyone knows I would appreciate a reply. Many thanks

[Tony Morcom]

Hi Paul and welcome to the site. An interesting question and sadly one I cannot answer as I only sailed deepsea. I am sure that someone will come up with an answer for you. My own experience was always 4 on 8 off. Enjoy the the site and all it has to offer.

[Ivan Cloherty]

During the early sixties I sailed as a junior ordinary seaman on a British coaster the MV Harcliff.
I am trying to remember the sea watch system for the coast. Was it 5 hrs on then 5 hrs off or 4 on and 4 off?
If anyone knows I would appreciate a reply. Many thanks

Paul, normally it was 5 on, 5 off, but on some ships they would throw in 5 on,5 off 5 on, 4 off, this gave everyone a different time of day on watch and also co-ordinated with afternoon meal time, I found this latter system the best (personal opinion) for the very fact on extended voyages you did get a different time of day to gaze out the wheelhouse window or wing of the bridge. Also sailed on the 4on, 4off system, but preferred the 5/5.

If I remember rightly (someone will know) "Harcliff" was owned by Hargreaves Shipping and managed by Comben Longstaff in the 60's

[E.Martin]

I served on 3 coasters,4 on,4 off,5 on 5 off,2 on 4 off.

[j.sabourn]

A lot of the offshore vessels I was on was 6 on and stop on. Cheers John Sabourn. Do believe the NE coast agreement was different though think this applied to the flatties. (NE coast colliers) Regards John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Ref. to NE coast agreement re. colliers believe they had the watch ashore watch aboard agreement as was split crew half from the NE and Half from the SE. Cheers John Sabourn

[Roger Dyer]

Hi Paul,

My own experience on coasters, i.e 'small ships', was limited. I only served on three, but strangely, each of the three had a different
watchkeeping arrangement. On the Alouette, 276 grt, it was 4 hours on, 4 hours off. On the Mavis, 381 grt, it was 5 on, 5 off, with one 4 hour watch each day, as described by Ivan. On the Mertola, 497 grt, it was 4 on, 4 off, with dog-watches.

I wonder if, now, you are beginning to wish you'd never asked.

......Roger

[happy daze john in oz]

Like the sign outside the jewlers, 'watch repairs here' stood all day and nothing happened. LOL

[Paul Racine]

Gentlemen.

OMG .......First day and first question on the site and and what an amazing response.
Many thanks.
Although as Roger says...........with all the variables perhaps I should have never asked.
Also, Ivan you are correct. I joined the Harcliff out of the London office of Comben Longstaff.
I am trying to put together a narrative of the short trip that I made on the Harcliff but memory fails me in a lot of cases.
I am sure to have more questions and look forward to further discussions.
Again many thanks to all

Paul Racine
Montreal Canada

[Gulliver]

Like the sign outside the jewlers, 'watch repairs here' stood all day and nothing happened. LOL

And like the refined-looking lady running screaming out of a discount fur shop, her beaver lamb coat cut to ribbons, chased by an assistant with a huge knife.
The sign on the shop window reads: FUR COATS SLASHED !





Sorry,I was following John-we're just a bit off-topic !...