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Deck

Bosun: open recruitment

Bosun jobs: open recruitment for experienced deck ratings holding Able Seafarer Deck (STCW II/5). Duties, certificates and how to apply on Seafarers Recruitment.

Vessel typeVarious Vessels
LocationWorldwide
ContractCommonly 6 to 9 months
JoiningUpcoming vacancies
CompanyCrewing agencies and shipowners we work with
SalarySet by the employer for each vacancy

Role overview

Open recruitment for crewing agencies and shipowners we work with. This is not a single vacancy with a fixed joining date: apply to be considered for upcoming Bosun vacancies.

What a Bosun does

The bosun (boatswain) is the senior deck rating. The bosun takes daily work orders from the chief officer and organises the able and ordinary seamen: chipping and painting, maintenance of mooring winches, windlass, hatch covers, cranes and cargo gear, rigging pilot ladders and gangways, and mooring and anchoring operations. The bosun also checks that work is done safely, with permits to work and the right protective equipment.

Certificates required

  • Able Seafarer Deck (STCW Reg. II/5)
  • Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch, RFPNW (STCW Reg. II/4)
  • Basic Training (STCW Reg. VI/1): personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities
  • Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats (STCW Reg. VI/2)
  • Security awareness (STCW Reg. VI/6), or designated security duties if you have security tasks on board
  • Seafarer medical certificate (STCW Reg. I/9 and MLC 2006 Reg. 1.2), valid for a maximum of 2 years
  • On tankers and gas carriers: basic tanker training (STCW Reg. V/1-1 or V/1-2)

Sea service and promotion

Bosuns are normally promoted from experienced ABs. Employers usually look for several contracts as AB on the same ship type and good references from chief officers. Able Seafarer Deck (STCW Reg. II/5) itself requires RFPNW plus at least 18 months of deck seagoing service, or 12 months with approved training.

Typical ships

Contract length

Commonly 6 to 9 months, set by the employer for each vacancy. MLC 2006 limits continuous service on board to less than 12 months before the seafarer is entitled to repatriation.

Bosun jobs by ship type

How to apply

  1. Create a free seafarer account and confirm your email address.
  2. Fill in your online CV: rank, sea service, certificate of competency, STCW certificates, medical and seaman’s book. Upload copies of your documents.
  3. Apply to this post with one click and make your profile visible to verified employers, so crewing agencies and shipowners can find you when a vacancy opens.

Create seafarer account See all jobs

Related ranks

Seafarers: see how Seafarers Recruitment works for seafarers. Employers and crewing agencies: post a vacancy or search crew.

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