Vacancies for Boatswain

Boatswain (also Bosun) is the senior rating in the deck crew and, on most vessels, a promoted AB Seaman. The Boatswain works closely with the Chief Officer, organizes the day-to-day work of deck ratings and helps keep the deck, hull and deck equipment in proper working condition. In practice, the Bosun is the person who turns the Chief Officer’s instructions into daily deck work on board.

Boatswain Salary Expectations

Boatswain salary today usually starts at around USD 1,500 per month on lower-paid merchant fleet contracts such as Bulk Carrier and can move into the USD 2,200 - 2,500 range on stronger cargo and tanker jobs. The average Boatswain salary on Maritime Zone is USD 2,391/month. In current data on the site, Boatswain earns from about USD 1,500 on Bulk Carrier, around USD 2,200 - 2,400 on Container Ship and about USD 2,300 - 2,800 on Oil Products Tanker. For a broader overview, see the Boatswain salary statistics page.

Duties

The Boatswain assigns tasks to the deck crew and supervises day-to-day deck work. This usually includes cleaning, painting, chipping rust, maintenance of deck areas and hull, and making sure mooring equipment, anchoring gear and other deck equipment stay in good condition.

On many ships, the Bosun also plays a key role during mooring and anchoring operations and reports progress to the Chief Officer. The job is also closely linked to safety: the Boatswain often helps look after firefighting equipment, supports emergency preparedness and makes sure deck ratings know their duties during drills and real operations.

Some fleets expect extra background. Tanker companies may ask for relevant tanker experience or safe working practices during cargo operations. Offshore employers may look for previous offshore sea time, crane or deck equipment experience, or other practical skills depending on vessel type. On any fleet, companies value a Bosun who can manage deck crew well and keep work moving without constant supervision.

Requirements

A Boatswain vacancy usually requires solid previous sea service as an AB Seaman, good practical knowledge of deck maintenance and mooring operations, and enough experience to supervise deck ratings on daily jobs. Depending on vessel type, employers may also prefer candidates with tanker background, offshore experience or other vessel-specific skills.

If you are looking for the best Boatswain vacancies, compare not only salary, but also vessel type, contract length, workload, crew size and the reputation of the company. The best contract is not always the one with the highest number. Clear duties, a well-run deck department and a company that treats ratings properly often matter just as much.