WATCH
An allotted period of time, of four hours, during which crew and/or
officers take a turn of duty tending a Vessel while Underway.
Traditionally, the day began on a Vessel when the Sun reached
its Zenith at 1200 hours, which was the start of the Afternoon Watch,
1200 to 1600.

The Watch Cycle is as follows:
Afternoon Watch: 1200 to 1600 Hours (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
First Dog Watch: 1600 to 1800 Hours (4:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
Second Dog Watch: 1800 to 2000 Hours (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm)
First Watch: 2000 to 2400 Hours (8:00 pm to 12:00 am)
Middle Watch: 0000 to 0400 Hours (12:00 am to 4:00 am)
Morning Watch: 0400 to 0800 Hours (4:00 am to 8:00 am)
Forenoon Watch: 0800 to 1200 Hours (8:00 am to 12:00 pm)

WATCH BELL
The passing of time for each watch is indicated every half hour by a
sequence of rings on the ships bell. For example, when the first half
hour of the watch has elapsed, the bell is rung once; when the second
half hour has elapsed, the bell is rung twice, and so on until the end
of the watch which is eight bells per watch. The cycle of eight bells
begins again at the start of the next watch and is repeated every four
hours around the clock.

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