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Boatswain
Supervisor of a ship's deck department / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about a seafaring occupation. For other uses, see Boatswain (disambiguation).
A boatswain (/ˈboʊsən/ BOH-sən, formerly and dialectally also /ˈboʊtsweɪn/ BOHT-swayn), bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun, also known as a deck boss, or a qualified member of the deck department, is the most senior rate of the deck department and is responsible for the components of a ship's hull. The boatswain supervises the other members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews. Additional duties vary depending upon ship, crew, and circumstances.
Quick Facts General, Other names ...
![]() The boatswain aboard a US merchant ship stands cargo watch as freight is lowered into an open hatch, c.1981 | |
General | |
---|---|
Other names | Bosun Deck Boss Chief rate |
Department | Deck department |
Licensed | No |
Requirements | Typically, able seaman certificate |
Watchstanding | |
Watch (at sea) | On smaller vessels (varies) |
Watch (in port) | On smaller vessels (varies) |
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