bosuns
Ship's petty officers
Bosuns is the plural of bosun, a spelling that reflects the pronunciation of boatswain—a ship's officer responsible for equipment, rigging, and deck crew.
The bosun supervises maintenance and ensures the vessel runs smoothly: The bosuns piped the captain aboard.
The spelling bosun appears more in casual or nautical contexts than the formal boatswain.
Enlisted naval rank
- deckShip's flat surface
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- crewWorking team aboard
- seamanshipSkill in operating vessels
warrant officer · naval · anchors · ropes · whistle · quartermaster · mate · coxswain
Single-person sitting furniture
- pipeHollow conveyance channel
- lockerSecured storage compartment
- callContact by phone
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
lanyard · knife · fid · palm · needle · ditty bag · marlinspike · shackle
Trained self-control or specialty
- ordersInstructions to obey
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- musterAssemble for inspection
punishment · command · supervision · maintenance · drill · stations · duties · assignments
petty officer
Enlisted naval rank
seamanship · warrant officer · naval · anchors · ropes · whistle · quartermaster · mate · coxswain · seaman
chair
Single-person sitting furniture
whistle · lanyard · knife · fid · palm · needle · ditty bag · marlinspike · shackle · block
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- ordersInstructions to obey
- watchPortable timekeeping device
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
muster · punishment · command · supervision · maintenance · drill · stations · duties · assignments · work parties
bosunscaptains
Leaders of ships or teams
admirals · commodores · commanding officers · landlubbers · deckhands
bosunsnavigators
Those who direct travel
pursers · radio operators · cooks · stewards · chaplains
bosunspurser
Ship's financial officer
navigator · engineer · chief engineer · radio operator · chaplain