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,
In many fleets, the bosun is a senior non-commissioned officer or a petty officer, and may be