Photo via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Lookout.jpg under Creative Commons License.
The captain sent him to stay on the qui ve and alert him if he sees any other boats on the ocean.
To be alert; lookout
The Declaration • December 8, 2016 • https://thedeclarationatcoloniahigh.com/20580/wordoftheday/qui-vive/
Qui Vive