Watchstander

Why it exists

Watchstander started from a simple training gap: bridge watchstanding is difficult to practice outside an actual ship or a full-scale simulator. The project was built to make that kind of repetition available on a normal computer, including in offline environments, so a watchstander can spend more time working through contact geometry, radar information, collision risk, and maneuvering decisions.

The emphasis is on the routine work of standing the watch rather than on combat. The player issues helm and engine orders, tracks contacts, evaluates risk of collision, applies COLREGs, and works within the expectations of the commanding officer. The simulator is intended to be useful for qualification preparation and skills maintenance while still remaining approachable for maritime learners without the same background.

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What is in Early Access now

The current Steam build is fully playable and includes Free Roam for shiphandling and contact tracking, an initial Bridge Watch mode with CO trust mechanics and Rule of 30 expectations, a functional RADAR/NAV display with range rings and sweep behavior, and Rules of the Road exams with selectable test sizes and records.

The radar and navigation systems support north-up and heads-up presentation, hooked contacts, and an updating sweep that is meant to build situational awareness rather than simply display static targets. Dynamic sea states affect how aggressively the ship can be handled, while Free Roam provides a lower-pressure space to learn the controls and explore the systems.

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Where development is going

The Early Access roadmap calls for additional watchstanding scenarios and evolutions, more depth in Bridge Watch and career progression, broader Rules of the Road training, improvements to radar and navigation realism, stronger AI vessel behavior and bridge-team dynamics, and continued visual and interface polish.

The September 2026 development update also marked the return to active development after a period away from the project. Recent work has included simulator fixes, UI changes, navigation and radar improvements, and the beginning of dedicated scenario-based Rules of the Road training. The first scenario is in place, with more encounters and watchstanding scenarios planned.