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Bosun maritime career represents the pinnacle of the unlicensed deck department — a role that combines hands-on seamanship with supervisory responsibility and sits just one step below the officer ranks. If you’ve been working your way up through the rating system and want to know what it takes to reach bosun and what comes after, this guide covers everything from day-to-day duties to qualifications, salary, and pathways to an officer certificate.

Additionally, the bosun (formally called the boatswain) is one of the most respected positions at sea for non-officers. You’ll lead the deck crew, coordinate maintenance operations, and act as the key link between the Chief Officer and the ratings. Getting there takes years of sea time and deliberate career planning — but the role is well worth it.

What Is a Bosun? Role Overview

The bosun is the senior rating on the deck department. Reporting directly to the Chief Officer, the bosun is responsible for supervising the Able Bodied Seamen (ABs), Ordinary Seamen (OSs), and any deck ratings below them. On most merchant vessels — whether bulk carriers, tankers, container ships, or offshore support vessels — the bosun functions as the working foreman of the deck.

Unlike officers, the bosun does not hold a certificate of competency. However, the role demands a deep understanding of seamanship, safety systems, cargo handling, and crew management that rivals many junior officers in practical terms. The Chief Officer relies heavily on a competent bosun to execute deck work safely and efficiently.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The bosun’s daily workload is diverse. On a typical day you might be rigging gangways in the morning, supervising hull painting in the afternoon, and checking mooring lines before departure in the evening. Here are the core responsibilities:

• Deck maintenance: Coordinating painting, chipping, greasing, and preservation of the hull, superstructure, and deck equipment
• Mooring and anchoring operations: Directing the deck crew on the fo’c’sle and stern during berthing, unberthing, and anchor operations
• Cargo handling: Rigging and tending cargo gear, hatch covers, and lashing equipment under the Chief Officer’s direction
• Safety equipment maintenance: Maintaining lifeboats, liferafts, fire-fighting equipment, and other LSA/FFA as required by SOLAS
• Rigging and lifting: Setting up derricks, cranes, pilot ladders, and accommodation ladders to the correct standard
• Crew supervision: Allocating daily tasks to ratings, monitoring work quality, and reporting progress to the Chief Officer
• Stores and inventory: Managing deck stores, paint, ropes, and consumables
• Watch support: Assisting the OOW during navigation in restricted waters or heavy weather

Required Qualifications and Certifications

Furthermore, there is no single mandatory “bosun certificate” — the role is largely experience-based. However, most companies and flag states expect a bosun to hold a solid set of STCW certifications before being appointed. Here is what you will typically need:

• AB Certificate: A valid Able Bodied Seaman certificate is the baseline prerequisite. This requires a minimum of 18 months deck sea service.
• STCW Basic Safety Training (VI/1): Personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities — the four basic safety courses required of all seafarers
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (STCW VI/2): Required to serve as a person in charge of a survival craft or rescue boat
• Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW VI/3): Increasingly required by major shipping companies, particularly for tankers and passenger vessels
• Medical Fitness (ENG1 or equivalent): A valid seafarer medical certificate issued by an approved examiner. See our ENG1 Medical Certificate guide for full details.
• Line-Throwing Appliance certificate: Required by SOLAS and expected of any bosun on an ocean-going vessel
• Crane Operator Certificate: Many companies require this for bosuns on bulk carriers or heavy-lift vessels
• STCW Security Awareness (VI/6): Required for all seafarers since the 2010 Manila Amendments

Tanker companies (crude, product, chemical, LNG) will additionally require relevant tanker endorsements. For a full breakdown of the STCW framework, see the complete STCW Certification Guide.

Bosun Maritime Career Path: From OS to Bosun

However, the bosun maritime career path follows a clear progression through the rating system. It is not fast — most seafarers take between five and eight years to reach the bosun position — but each step builds the seamanship foundation you need to lead a crew effectively.

Starting Your Bosun Maritime Career: Step-by-Step Progression

• Ordinary Seaman (OS): Entry point. General deck work under supervision. Build sea time and learn basic seamanship.
• Able Bodied Seaman (AB): After 18 months service and passing the AB assessment. Take on watch-keeping, mooring, anchor, and maintenance duties independently.
• Senior AB / Leading Seaman: Some companies use this intermediate grade. The senior AB takes on more supervisory tasks and mentors junior ratings.
• Bosun: Appointment by the shipowner or management company, usually after demonstrating leadership ability and completing the relevant STCW certifications. Typically requires 5–8 years of total deck sea service.

Progression is not automatic — you need to make yourself visible as a leader. Take on additional responsibilities, complete extra training courses, and build a strong relationship with your Chief Officers. A recommendation from a senior officer carries significant weight when a shipowner is looking for a new bosun.

“A good bosun makes my job as Chief Officer significantly easier,” says a veteran Chief Officer with 18 years on bulk carriers and tankers. “I’m looking for someone who can translate my orders into work plans and keep the crew motivated and safe — without me having to supervise every detail.”

How a Bosun Can Progress to Officer Rank

Reaching the end of your bosun maritime career as a rating is a significant achievement — but it doesn’t have to be the endpoint. Many experienced bosuns go on to earn an Officer of the Watch (OOW) certificate and cross into the officer ranks. The pathway requires formal training and passing the STCW II/1 examination, but the sea service you’ve already accumulated gives you a head start.

The typical route from bosun to officer:

• Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1): Attend an approved nautical college for the required bridging course. Existing sea service (up to 36 months) can be counted toward the OOW sea service requirement. Pass the oral and written examinations with your flag state authority.
• Second Officer: Once you hold an OOW certificate, you can sail as Second Officer. Check our Second Officer Career Path guide for what that role involves.
• Chief Officer to Master: Continue with STCW II/2 (Chief Mate) and ultimately STCW II/2 Master. For the full picture of where this leads, see the Ship Captain Career Path.

Importantly, some major shipping companies — particularly those with cadet and rating development programmes — actively sponsor experienced bosuns into officer training. This typically involves a company-sponsored full-time course with a contract to return to the company as a junior officer afterwards. It is worth asking your crewing manager directly whether such a scheme exists.

Bosun Salary: What to Expect

Bosun salaries vary considerably depending on vessel type, flag state, company, and whether the vessel operates under an ITF-inspected or IBF-agreed collective bargaining agreement. The ranges below reflect current market rates for blue-water trades:

• Bulk carriers / general cargo: $2,500–$3,200/month basic wage
• Container ships: $2,800–$3,500/month
• Tankers (crude / product): $3,000–$4,000/month
• LNG / LPG vessels: $3,500–$4,500/month
• Offshore support vessels: $3,000–$4,200/month depending on region and operator
• Cruise ships: $2,800–$3,800/month (includes accommodation and meals)

These figures represent basic wages only. Many contracts include leave pay, overtime pay, and performance bonuses that can add 20–30% to the total package. ITF minimum wages set a floor — most reputable companies pay above this. For a full salary comparison across all ranks, see the Seafarer Salary Guide by Rank.

Tips for Becoming a Bosun and Advancing Further

The pathway to bosun is competitive. These practical steps will help you get there faster and set you up for further progression:

Practical Steps to Advance Your Bosun Maritime Career

• Complete your STCW VI/2 and VI/3 early: Don’t wait until you’re applying for bosun positions. These courses take time and money — start before you need them.
• Get crane operator certified: Even if your current vessel doesn’t require it, this certificate opens doors on bulk carriers and heavy-lift ships where bosuns are in high demand.
• Build a maintenance track record: Keep a personal log of paint schemes, preservation projects, and mooring equipment you’ve worked on. This becomes your portfolio when applying for senior rating or bosun positions.
• Seek tanker endorsements: Tanker companies pay significantly more and often have structured rating development paths.
• Ask for leadership responsibilities as an AB: Volunteer to lead small work parties, assist the bosun in planning daily tasks, and demonstrate initiative. Chief Officers notice.
• Research officer sponsorship schemes: If you want to progress to OOW, identify companies with bosun-to-officer programmes early and target your applications accordingly.
• Maintain your medical fitness: An ENG1 lapse at the wrong moment can derail a promotion. Keep it current with at least six months to spare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a bosun?
Most seafarers reach the bosun position after five to eight years of sea service, starting from Ordinary Seaman. The exact timeline depends on the company, vessel type, and how quickly you accumulate the required STCW certifications and leadership experience.

What is the difference between a bosun and an AB?
An Able Bodied Seaman (AB) carries out deck work under direction. The bosun supervises the AB and OS ratings, plans and organises daily deck work, and reports directly to the Chief Officer. The bosun is the senior non-officer on deck.

Do bosuns need a certificate of competency?
No. The bosun role does not require a STCW certificate of competency (CoC). However, bosuns are expected to hold the full suite of STCW basic safety training, Proficiency in Survival Craft (VI/2), and increasingly Advanced Fire Fighting (VI/3). Some flag states have specific national requirements for senior ratings.

Can a bosun become an officer?
Yes. Experienced bosuns can attend a nautical college bridging programme and sit the Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1) examinations. Existing sea service counts toward the OOW sea-service requirement, making the bosun-to-officer transition one of the most practical ways into the officer ranks for those without a cadet background.

What is a typical bosun salary?
Bosun salaries range from approximately $2,500 to $4,500 per month depending on vessel type, flag state, and company. LNG carriers and offshore vessels typically pay at the higher end, while general cargo and some bulk carrier contracts sit at the lower range. ITF/IBF collective bargaining agreements set minimum wage floors across the industry.

What vessel types have the highest demand for bosuns?
Tankers (crude, product, chemical, and LNG) and offshore support vessels tend to have the highest demand and best pay for experienced bosuns. Container ship operators and cruise companies also regularly recruit bosuns, often with structured rotation schedules and good benefits packages.

Conclusion

Moreover, the bosun role is one of the most fulfilling positions in the unlicensed deck department. You lead a crew, you work across the full breadth of seamanship, and you sit at the centre of shipboard operations in a way few other ratings experience. Whether you plan to remain as a career bosun or use the position as a springboard into the officer ranks, the skills and reputation you build in this role will define your maritime career.

Ready to find your next bosun or senior rating position? Browse current maritime vacancies at Seaplify Jobs — deck ratings, bosun roles, and officer positions across all vessel types and trading areas.

For official maritime standards and further information, visit the International Maritime Organization (IMO).