Nautical timekeeping

Nautical timekeeping uses a 24-hour clock system, where the day begins at midnight and runs continuously to midnight, often expressed in hours and minutes (e.g., 14:30 for 2:30 PM). This system is essential at sea for clear communication, navigation, and synchronization across different locations and time zones. Historically, sailors used Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as a standard reference to coordinate activities worldwide, regardless of local time differences. This uniform approach helps prevent confusion during navigation and operations, ensuring ships worldwide operate cohesively, especially when calculating routes, watch schedules, and celestial observations.