Bosun / Boatswain Jobs

A Bosun (Boatswain) is the senior deck rating and the right hand of the Chief Officer. This is the person responsible for daily deck operations, mooring supervision, cargo preparation, maintenance planning, and deck safety.JobMarineMan features Bosun Jobs at Sea on LNG carriers, tankers, container vessels, bulk carriers, cruise ships, Ro-Ro vessels, and Offshore fleets. Direct hiring without agency commissions.For seafarers with EU passports, premium vacancies are available with Norwegian and Dutch operators offering salaries up to €6,000/month.

Who Is a Bosun

The Bosun is the senior member of the deck crew. Above the Bosun are only the Chief Officer and the Master.The Bosun supervises:

• AB Seamen
• OS Seamen
• Deck Cadets
• Sometimes fitters and painters

On most vessels, a Bosun is an experienced seafarer with 15–25 years of sea service, extensive mooring experience, and strong leadership skills.The Bosun acts as the bridge between officers and ratings. The Chief Officer gives the operational plan, and the Bosun organizes and supervises its execution.

EU Passport: Premium Segment

Senior deck ratings with EU citizenship are among the most demanded categories in the European maritime market.Top salary ranges for Bosun positions with EU passports:

• Norwegian-flag Offshore (FPSO, AHTS, PSV) — €4,500–6,000/month
• Dutch heavy-lift and Offshore — €4,000–5,500/month
• German-flag Container and LNG fleet — €3,500–4,800/month
• Greek Tanker and LNG operators — €3,500–4,500/month

Especially востребованы candidates from:

• Poland
• Lithuania
• Latvia
• Estonia
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Croatia

The difference between international hiring and EU contracts can exceed €2,500 per month.

Main Responsibilities of a Bosun

• Daily Planning — assigning tasks to AB and OS crew
• Mooring Supervision — controlling mooring operations
• Cargo Operations — coordinating cargo work
• Deck Maintenance Planning — painting, repairs, corrosion prevention
• Safety on Deck — ensuring deck crew safety
• Equipment Maintenance — monitoring deck equipment condition
• Inventory Management — managing stores and tools
• Training — mentoring OS and AB crew
• PSC & Vetting Preparation — preparing for inspections
• Liaison — communication with Chief Officer and Master

A Bosun is not simply a “senior sailor.”
This is a deck team manager.

Vessel Types for Bosun Positions

LNG Fleet

Strict safety procedures, vetting inspections, and gas operations.
LNG Fleet Vacancies

Tanker Fleet

Oil and chemical tankers, inert gas systems, tank cleaning operations.
Tanker Jobs

Container Fleet

Lashing operations, twistlocks, and ULCV operations.
Container Vessel Vacancies

Bulk Carrier Fleet

Hold cleaning, hatch covers, ballast operations.
Latest Bulk Carrier Jobs

Ro-Ro / PCTC Fleet

Vehicle lashing, ramps, and cargo deck operations.
Ro-Ro Fleet Vacancies

Offshore Fleet

FPSO, AHTS, PSV, DP operations, heavy lifting.
Offshore Vacancies

Safety Risks: Bosun Responsibility

The Bosun is one of the key figures in onboard deck safety.Under Bosun supervision:

• Snap-back zones
• Enclosed space entry
• Work aloft
• Mooring operations
• Tool-box talks
• Permit-to-work systems
• Heavy weather operations

Modern Norwegian and Dutch operators place strong emphasis on safety culture during Bosun interviews.

Bosun Salaries (Market Rates 2026)

• Offshore — $3,000–5,000/month
• LNG / LPG Fleet — $3,000–4,500/month
• Tanker Fleet — $2,800–4,200/month
• Container Fleet — $2,500–3,500/month
• Bulk Carrier — $2,300–3,200/month
• Ro-Ro / General Cargo — $2,200–3,000/month
• Cruise Fleet — $2,000–2,800/month

EU premium contracts:

• Norwegian Offshore — up to €6,000
• Dutch Offshore — up to €5,500
• German Container Fleet — up to €4,800

Requirements for Bosun

• Minimum 36 months sea service as AB
• STCW II/5 AB Certificate
• Advanced Fire Fighting
• Medical First Aid
• Risk Assessment / Permit-to-Work Training
• English Marlins / CES 60%+
• Leadership Experience
• Experience with deck equipment

Career Path

AB → Bosun → Senior Bosun → Shore PositionsPossible shore careers:

• Port Operations Supervisor
• Cargo Superintendent
• Marine Surveyor
• Terminal Foreman

Common CV Mistakes

• No vessel types listed
• No leadership experience
• No safety experience
• No equipment experience
• Weak English level
• No references
• Incorrect sea service dates

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Why Direct Hiring Through JobMarineMan

• Direct Hiring without intermediaries
• Crewing feedback within 48 hours
• No agency commissions
• Direct contact with employers
• Vessel verification through Vessel Database

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FAQ

How much AB experience is required before becoming a Bosun?

Usually at least 36 months of sea service, although many companies prefer 4–6 years of experience.

What advantages does an EU passport provide?

Access to European collective agreements and significantly higher salaries.

Where are the highest Bosun salaries?

Norwegian Offshore, FPSO, LNG, and Dutch Offshore fleets.

Can a Bosun become an officer?

Yes, through formal maritime education.

Which safety certificates are most important?

Advanced Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid, and Permit-to-Work Training.

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