Bosun (Boatswain)

The senior deck crew member responsible for supervising deck work, maintenance and seamanship equipment.

The bosun normally allocates and oversees work involving mooring, anchoring, cargo or deck operations, rigging, small boats, painting and preservation. The exact duties and authority vary with vessel type, manning and organisation.

Bosun is the usual spoken and informal spelling of boatswain. The role should not be described as responsible for the vessel’s entire operation, which remains divided among the master, officers, engineers and other departments.