Officer of the Watch

The Officer of the Watch, also known as the Duty Officer or Officer of the Deck, refers to the officer placed in temporary command of the vessel while the Commanding Officer is not present on the bridge. Usually this duty falls to the Executive or Second Officer, especially during Alpha and Beta shift, however many younger officers vie for the position during Gamma shift as valuable "bridge time".

Command, even temporary command, must be clearly defined and the ritual for doing so on a Federation ship dates back to pre-space naval tradition. As the Commanding Officer leaves the bridge he informs the bridge personnel, and therefore the computer's log, who he is placing in command with the phrase "You have the bridge (or command)" and naming the officer.

It is important to remember that command does not change if an officer of superior rank to the Officer of the Watch enters the bridge, even if it is the commanding officer. Traditionally the Officer of the Watch will say "I stand relieved". A higher ranking officer might prompt that by informing the Officer of the Watch that he wishes to assume command by the phrase "I relieve you" although an Executive or Commanding Officer rarely has to ask. In times of crisis this may be abbreviated to the simple act of the Officer of the Watch vacating the command chair when the Commanding Officer or Executive Officer reaches the bridge.