Sailor Speak
Over the centuries, naval terms have become a part and parcel of life at sea. Although some of these words may be as old as days of sails, sailors today still use them in honour of the rich seafaring tradition. In fact, some of these terms have even permeated our everyday speech. Want to be part of this colourful naval tradition? Take a look at our simple sailor's glossary.
Dog Watch
Dog watch, in naval terminology, is a period of work duty between 1600hrs and 2000hrs. The period is usually split into two to allow the crew to have meals and exercise.
There are various stories about the origins of the term. It is said to be a direct translation from either German or Dutch, originally referring to the night watch on ships — a time when only dogs would be found awake. The name is also said to have been derived from Sirius, the "Dog Star", as it was claimed that Sirius was the first star that can be seen at night.