bosun

A bosun, short for boatswain, is a ship’s officer in charge of the deck crew and the maintenance of the vessel’s exterior and its gear. The bosun acts as the senior supervising deckhand, directing tasks related to rigging, ropework, mooring, and the upkeep of deck equipment. On sailing ships, the bosun historically oversaw the handling of sails, lines, and rigging, coordinating work aloft and in the rigging. In modern merchant ships and many naval forces, the bosun leads the deck crew, assigns duties, and ensures readiness and safety of deck operations.

Duties and responsibilities commonly include supervising deck hands, organizing maintenance of the hull, masts, rigging, anchors, winches, capstans, mooring lines, and lifeboats. The bosun may oversee painting and cleaning of the deck, carpentry and repair work, rope splicing and line handling, and the proper storage and use of deck equipment. They also play a key role in mooring and anchoring operations, general ship handling, and safety procedures on the exposed areas of the vessel. Communication with the ship’s officers and crew is a central part of the job, and the bosun often serves as a practical link between skilled craftsmen and shore-side requirements.

In many fleets, the bosun is a senior non-commissioned officer or a petty officer, and may be referred to as a boatswain’s mate in some navies. Training typically comes from long experience in the deck department, progressing from able-bodied seaman to bosun through demonstrated skill in rigging, maintenance, and leadership. Tools commonly associated with the role include rigging gear, rope splicing kits, winches, and various deck hand equipment. The bosun’s chair, a rope-supported seat used for work aloft, is a related term often associated with the role.