The Bosun, formally Boatswain, is the senior-most rating in the deck department, acting as the direct link between the Chief Officer and the deck crew.
Typical Responsibilities
- Supervising deck ratings — organizing and directing the daily work of ABs and Ordinary Seamen
- Coordinating deck maintenance — chipping, painting, rigging, and general upkeep, planned and assigned by the Bosun on the Chief Officer’s instructions
- Overseeing mooring and anchor operations on deck, directing the ratings actually handling lines and equipment
- Deck stores and equipment — maintaining an overview of deck consumables, tools, and equipment condition
How Bosun Is Reached
Unlike officer ranks, Bosun isn’t reached through a DG Shipping competency exam — it’s a position of demonstrated seniority, experience, and leadership ability among the ratings, typically following years of experience as an Able Seaman.
Bosun’s Role in Ship Operations
The Bosun bridges the gap between the Chief Officer’s planning and the practical, hands-on execution by the deck crew — a genuinely important leadership and coordination role, even without formal officer certification.
Working Relationship with the Chief Officer
The Chief Officer plans and directs overall deck work; the Bosun translates that into practical daily task assignments and directly supervises execution — an experienced Bosun’s judgment and crew management skills are highly valued by companies.
Exam Relevance
While the Bosun role itself has no dedicated competency exam, deck department organization and the Bosun’s coordination role are referenced in officer-level Ship Knowledge and crew management topics.