Situational Awareness

Know Your Surroundings

On a 19th-century man-of-war, awareness started with the senses: eyes on the horizon, ears on the drum, and minds on the weather. Lookouts, signalmen, and officers constantly assessed changes in wind, sea state, rigging, and distant sails. Early detection meant precious seconds to beat to quarters and secure advantage.

Signals and Watchstanding

age of sail deck lookout

Lookouts

Eyes aloft and forward, spotting changes long before the deck can.

warship deck crew at stations

Signalmen

Flags and drums translating command into crisp, ship-wide action.

sailing ship rigging and sails

Officer of the Deck

Integrates reports, sets posture, and orders the beat to quarters.

Stay ahead of the weather and the threat

Read the signs, confirm with signals, and act decisively. Awareness buys time; time wins fights and saves ships.