Dogwatches are periods of time at sea when a watch is divided into two shorter watches to allow crewmembers to have more downtime. These periods are called dogwatches because they "dog" the normal watch schedule. There are a few different synonyms for the term dogwatch that sailors might use, such as "half watches," "double watches," or "trick watches." These terms all refer to the same practice of splitting a watch into two shorter intervals so that everyone on board can get some much-needed rest. Whatever you call them, dogwatches are an important way to ensure that everyone on board a ship stays safe and well-rested during long voyages at sea.