First trip checklist

Before relying on WatchKeeper underway, it is worth taking a few minutes to confirm that your crew, schedule, and alarms are ready. A short setup check before departure helps prevent confusion later, especially when the crew is tired or the schedule changes at sea.

Start by confirming that your crew list is complete and accurate. Make sure every active watchstander is included and that names are easy to recognize at a glance. If someone is not expected to stand watch, leave them out of the active rotation so the schedule stays simple and clear.

Next, review your watch schedule. Check the watch order, assigned crew members, watch lengths, and the schedule start time. If your crew uses fixed or sliding watches, make sure the chosen setup matches how you expect handoffs to work in real conditions. A schedule that looks right before departure is much easier to trust offshore.

After that, verify alarms. Confirm that watch change alerts are enabled and timed the way your crew expects. If possible, test a handoff before the trip so you can see how the app behaves when an alarm is acknowledged or missed. This is also a good time to make sure the phone is charged and that the crew knows which device will be used during the passage.

Finally, walk through one realistic change scenario before leaving. Try a delayed handoff, a swap, or marking a crew member unavailable. That quick practice gives everyone confidence that WatchKeeper can handle the kinds of changes that happen in real life.

Checklist

• Confirm the active crew list is complete and accurate.
• Review watch assignments, durations, and start time.
• Check whether the schedule should use fixed or sliding watches.
• Verify watch alarms are enabled and understandable.
• Test at least one handoff before departure.
• Make sure the device is charged and available when needed.
• Practice one schedule change, such as a delay or swap.

A first-trip checklist does not need to be complicated. The goal is simply to make sure WatchKeeper will give the crew a clear, reliable answer when it matters.