(I am a sailor, and have stood many Low Visibility Watches where my relief never showed, here is a glimpse into what it is like to stand freezing wet for your country, starving and alone, in the fog that travels the ocean blue.)

Standing watch on bow,

Waves splashing to and fro,

Soaked to the bone,

Shivering as watch relief is late,

One hour, two hour,

Time for me to stand watch again,

Into the night I freeze,

Standing watch on bow,

Waves splashing to and fro,

Watching the horizon as ship sails forth,

Middle of the storm I stand,

On the bow,

Binoculars in hand,

Crackling radio in my ear,

As I stand,

Standing watch on bow,

Waves splashing to and fro,

Guarding forecastle from the dangers ahead,

Freezing as I stand,

Safety paramount,

My mission straight ahead,

Watching for dangers on horizon,

As fog washes over me,

Can’t see the bridge anymore,

As waves crash to and fro,

Washing over me,

As I stand on forecastle,

Freezing head to toe,

Watch relief late again I know,

Lunch passes by,

Midrats my only substance,

To maintain my energy,

To go back and stand again,

On the bow,

Watching as,

Waves splash to and fro,

Contact on horizon I see,

Calling it in over crackling radio,

As I stand,

As I stand.