officer of the watch

noun

, Nautical.

1. the officer primarily responsible for the navigation of a ship, in the absence of the captain, during a certain watch.

Example Sentences

In port, a sub will typically employ a roving watch for security using a young enlisted sailor, as well as a petty officer of the watch and an officer of the deck on the quarterdeck to check ID cards of crew members and visitors attempting to board and disembark.

From Fox News

The officer of the watch did not spot until it was too late the MV Priscilla had moved from its planned route.

From BBC

The SS officer of the watch sneered at us.

From Literature

Workers were needed in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, the officer of the watch told us, and we were being sent to fill their barracks.

From Literature

“Lay him in the guardroom,” the sentry told them, and as they did so, he turned the crank of the telephone bell and reported what was happening to the officer of the watch.

From Literature