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Maritime & Shipping vocabulary · Crew & Ranks

Bosun

Meaning in maritime & shipping, with examples

/ˈboʊsən/nounCommon term

In maritime & shipping, bosun means: The senior deck rating, who leads the deck crew in maintenance, mooring and cargo work and takes daily orders from the chief officer.

In Turkish: lostromo

How it is used

Spelled 'boatswain' in official documents but always pronounced, and often written, 'bosun'. The bosun plans the day's work with the chief officer, handles the windlass when anchoring and looks after the deck store.

Example sentences

  1. The bosun and two ABs are chipping rust on the main deck.

  2. Ask the bosun to stand by at the windlass for anchoring.

Common collocations

  • bosun's store
  • bosun's chair
  • report to the bosun
  • bosun and deck crew
  • able seaman (AB)An experienced deck rating who is qualified to steer, keep a lookout, handle mooring lines and do maintenance work on deck.
  • chief officerThe senior deck officer, second in command after the master. The chief officer is usually responsible for cargo work, stability, deck maintenance and the deck crew.
  • windlassA powerful machine on the forecastle deck that lowers and raises the anchor chain, often with drums for mooring lines as well.
  • deckOne of the floor levels of a ship, especially the open main deck. The word also names the department that handles navigation, cargo and the upkeep of the ship's structure.

More terms: Crew & Ranks

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