• BTW
• Watch System

(draft)

The Zheng He, like all long-duration ASWF ships, uses a circadian watch system in which, under normal conditions, each crewmember has consistent sleeping hours (though the activities during his or her waking hours, in particular watchstanding, may take place at varying times of day.) The day is divided into four six-hour watches. The crew is divided into five watch sections, designated by a letter A-E. In any given day, four of the five watch sections will stand watches and one is enjoying an extended rest period, albeit one possibly interrupted by occasional events like special meetings.

Despite being generous in comparison to analogous 20th-century systems of continuous staffing, it is considered rigorous by contemporaries in the Twelve Worlds, many of whom are used the equivalent of a 20-30-hour workweek (12-18% time working) thanks to increased automation. The personnel here are working about 30% of the time depending on mission needs. For comparison, a conventional 20th century 40-hour workweek is 24% work-time.

It can be observed that sections A-D alternate 3 on - 1 off - 5 on - 1 off, whereas section E always has 4 on - 1 off. Watch sections A-B and have their protected rest period in the evening, C-D have it in the morning.

Rest periods are structured to maximize the chances that it will be possible to satisfy irregular personnel needs with crewmembers who are already awake (albeit off-duty) rather than by waking someone. Crewmembers in protected rest periods are ordinarily excused from non-emergency duties, e.g. serving as drill monitors or attending meetings. This is only the case for their protected rest period, though, not their days off.