styrman

Styrman is a maritime term used in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish to denote the person responsible for steering the vessel and often for navigation on deck. In English translations, styrman is commonly rendered as helmsman or steersman, depending on the context. The term is used for both historical and contemporary roles and is not the same as the ship’s captain or the boatswain.

The word derives from the verb styra, meaning to steer, with the agent suffix -man, literally “the steer-man.” Cognates appear in other Nordic languages, such as Norwegian styrmann and Danish styrmand, reflecting the shared maritime heritage of the region.

Typical duties of a styrman include steering the ship under orders, maintaining a steady course, and, in many cases, supporting navigation by following the navigator’s instructions. The styrman may also assist with lookout and with handling lines during docking or mooring under supervision. The exact responsibilities can vary by vessel, fleet, and historical period.

Historically on sailing ships, the styrman was a deck officer or experienced crew member entrusted with helm duties and basic navigation. In modern times, the term is mainly used in Scandinavian navies and merchant fleets to describe the person on watch at the helm or the onboard navigator, rather than a senior command position.

See also: helmsman, navigator, deck officer.