Careers · Deck rating
Bosun (Boatswain)
The Bosun is responsible for the exterior of the vessel and leads the deck team in its ongoing maintenance, supporting the deck department under the Master's or Staff Captain's instructions. On cruise ships the Bosun reports to the Staff Captain and supervises the able and ordinary seamen and the carpenters.
STCW competence
Reports to
Staff Captain
A watch or a day
Watchkeeping
The certificate that gates the job
STCW II/5 (STCW bosun rank (held at able seafarer deck level))
The certification behind this rank
What the rules require for this role — STCW, Indian and UK implementation.
Plus the certificates every seafarer holds: medical, basic safety, security awareness, and passenger-ship training on a cruise ship.
STCW II/5
owner: STCW bosun rank (held at able seafarer deck level)
STCW V/2
serving on passenger ships (applies to all personnel)
MSN 1862 Amd 1
UK implementation of STCW II/5
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.34
India implementation of STCW II/5
MSN 1866 Amd 2
UK implementation of STCW V/2
MS (STCW) Rules 2014 r.55
India implementation of STCW V/2
What employers ask for
Seen across employer job postings — a guide to what recruiters look for, not a legal requirement.
STCW basic safety training
e.g. STCW Basic · STCW certificates
English / Marlins / CES test
e.g. English language · Fluent English
Also known as
Where can this role take you?
See how to reach this role — and the ladder above it — in the Route Finder.