midwatch
Midnight naval duty
The midwatch is the period of duty aboard a ship from midnight to 4 a.m.—the loneliest stretch of the night.
The term extends to any late-night or graveyard shift: He pulled the midwatch at the security desk.
Also called the middle watch.
Ship's elevated aft platform
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- helmsmanOne who navigates vessels
- lookoutWatcher or vista point
patrol · submarine · destroyer · frigate · carrier · ensign · lieutenant · graveyard-shift
Total absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- sleeplessnessInability to rest
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
coffee · alertness · solitude · silence · stillness · night-sky · circadian · wakefulness
Vessel's steering mechanism
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- seafarerOne who navigates oceans
- deckhandShip's manual laborer
mariner · sailor · shipmate · port · starboard · bow · stern · wheelhouse
Keenly aware of danger
- sentryGuard on duty
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- alertnessActive mental awareness
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
endurance · dedication · solitary · duty · responsibility · attentive · unwavering · post
quarterdeck
Ship's elevated aft platform
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- helmsmanOne who navigates vessels
lookout · patrol · submarine · destroyer · frigate · carrier · ensign · lieutenant · graveyard-shift · underway
darkness
Total absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- sleeplessnessInability to rest
fatigue · coffee · alertness · solitude · silence · stillness · night-sky · circadian · wakefulness · drowsiness
helm
Vessel's steering mechanism
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
- seafarerOne who navigates oceans
deckhand · mariner · sailor · shipmate · port · starboard · bow · stern · wheelhouse · lantern
vigilant
Keenly aware of danger
- sentryGuard on duty
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- alertnessActive mental awareness
steadfast · endurance · dedication · solitary · duty · responsibility · attentive · unwavering · post