Are their still Boatswains in the Navy?

I found this article, it appears it might still be an active position: boatswain mate

Edited to add: Also, check out this link – on the US Navy website: boatswain

Looks like an interesting job. It is under the enlisted jobs, on the main page – Emergency Services, I think.

BTW it is pronounced “Bosun” and the nickname for the rank is “Boats.” Both the Navy and the Coast Guard still have boatswains and boatswain’s mates.

From Wikipedia(United_States_Navy):

“Boatswain’s mates train, direct, and supervise personnel in ship’s maintenance duties in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship’s external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. Boatswain’s Mates take charge of working parties; perform seamanship tasks; act as petty officer-in-charge of picketboats, self-propelled barges, tugs, and other yard and district craft. They serve in, or take charge of damage control parties. BM’s also operate and maintain equipment used in loading and unloading cargo, ammunition, fuel, and general stores. BMs take charge of and supervise UNREP (underway replenishment) procedures and equipment. They are integral to ship’s navigation and serve as ship’s Helmsman. Boatswain’s mates enjoy a normal path of advancement to Chief Warrant Officer and Limited Duty Officer. Candidates must have normal color perception, and no speech impediment.”

There is also the Ship’s Boatswain, “an officer who assists the First Lieutenant by supervising the deck force in the execution of major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside gear. The Ship’s Boatswain supervises cargo handling and inspects and maintains rigging and deck gear. His duties also include supervising anchoring, mooring, fueling, towing, transferring of personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenance of ship’s boats. The Ship’s Boatswain is in charge of what the Navy deems “unusual” seamanship operations such as retrieving target drones, and also schedules training for deck division personnel. Another key duty of the Ships’ Boatswain is supervision of the maintenance of abandon-ship equipment and instruction in abandon-ship techniques.”

Boatswain’s are part of the group of folks who are considered to be the guys that actually get the work of the Navy done, the petty officers and the CPO’s, or Chief Petty Officers. My husband retired as a CPO after 22½ years in the Navy.

So I’m assuming since he stuck around for 22 years he’d consider it a pretty good job?

The Navy was an excellent job for him. He didn’t get rich, but he travelled the world and even got his associates degree through Embry-Riddle University. He ended up as a chief and a “weather guesser” so he was typically stationed either on carriers or at Naval air fields. He greatly enjoyed the fact that his job was useful and challenging and that he was part of a community.

As a retiree he gets health insurance for an amazingly low price (despite the fact that the recruiter told him it would be free – that seems to be what all recruiters say) and he has a pension.

The one caveat is that you should do your best to avoid living paycheck to paycheck. The atmosphere, the ready availability of loans through the Navy-Army Credit Union, and the NEX all contribute to the temptation to spend it as fast as you get it, but you would be well-advised to save a portion of your check every month.

The difference between a Boatswain and a Boatswain’s mate is rank. The Boatswain is the Deck Officer, and is responsible for everything on the surface of the vessel, including the sides, rigging, and watercraft. The Boatswain’s Mate is an enlisted rating, and is roughly equivalent to an Able-Bodied Seaman on a merchant or commercial vessel.

When I was in the Navy, before I moved to Radioman, I worked on the Deck Force. In addition to our daily job of maintenance (mostly painting) we would stand watch as lookout, helmsman, and messenger of the watch. There were special details, called a “Special Sea and Anchor Detail” when the most skillful among us would be assigned these duties.