What Exactly Does a Bosun Do?

We Break Down The Definition Of A Bosun & Their Role In The Yachting Industry.

Updated On: December 4, 2020.

What’s a bosun? Aside from a strange word, the simplest dictionary definition of a bosun is a ship’s officer in charge of equipment and the crew. As the highest-ranked member of a ship’s deck department, he or she is responsible for the rest of the yacht’s deck crew and all associated equipment. Sounds simple, right? The role is anything but. There is way more to being a bosun than the basic definition provided above.

Daily Schedule… Or Lack There Of

There are no normal hours for a bosun on a yacht charter. The bosun plays 100 different roles, which can vary from one minute to the next. Some of the duties that a bosun performs, guests will never even know about (that’s part of the magic of being a charter guest).

The bosun is a teacher and a true teammate. He or she is constantly sharing knowledge and encouragement with those in his command as he or she leads the rest of the deck crew throughout a wide variety of tasks. From anchoring to sitting watch to tying a particular type of knot, the bosun is a true leader for his team.

Duties Of A Bosun

The bosun is a host (and most likely a comedian). If you spend a lot of time on the water and on a superyacht’s deck, you’ll get to know the bosun pretty well. This is a great thing, as your standard bosun is full of interesting stories and has a true zest for adventure. He’ll get you whatever you need, even if what you need is an inflatable swan.

The bosun is also a safety officer. From jet-skis to tubing to wakeboarding to scuba diving, yachting provides guests tons of opportunities to try new and exciting activities. However, without taking proper precautions, some of these activities have the potential to be dangerous. The bosun is always watching the water to ensure that everyone is having fun, but most importantly staying safe.

What To Expect From A Bosun On Your Next Charter

Whether it’s organizing and executing a beach barbeque, winning cocktail competitions, signaling for more margaritas, setting up scuba gear, leading guided tours through mangroves, wiping salt-soaked railings, unloading or storing equipment, or diving to the bottom of the ocean for lost sunglasses, the bosun never stops. He or she never fails to go above and beyond for those onboard a yacht charter. Contact your charter broker to book your next vacation. And say hi to the bosun for us.