Almost as essential to a successful bridge watch as a helm, this guide has long been a primary source of information for standing a taut, safe and efficient watch. This new edition has been updated for the Navy of the twenty-first century, reflecting the need for increased security, the appropriate role of automation in navigation, and the extensive integration of computers into virtually every phase of watchstanding.

While these new elements give this revised edition a futuristic feel, the timeless basics are reassuringly still there. New figures and appendices reveal the evolving nature of today's Navy and the wonders of supportive technology, yet proper development of the human element remains paramount in this newest version of a longstanding classic. Vice Admiral Stavridis and Captain Girrier have made this essential guide a worthy companion to their Division Officer's Guide, and they have ensured that this latest addition to the Blue & Gold Professional Library meets the exacting standards of that
important series.

Safe navigation, standard commands, honours and ceremonies, communications, weather, and practical advice on the keeping of a deck log are among the many subjects covered in this comprehensive book. Practical checklists and samples help watchstanders meet the demands of challenging evolutions such as getting underway, entering port, and night steaming. Whether the watch is on the bridge, on the quarterdeck, or in the combat information centre, the prudent watchstander will do well to adhere to the advice of a famous ad campaign: `Don't leave home without it.'

About the Author
Vice Admiral James Stavridis has served at sea in destroyers, cruisers and carriers, as well as on several afloat staffs. Captain Robert Girrier has served at sea on cruiser-destroyer units.