Boatswain's Mate	BM
	Boatswain's Mate (Navy) performs general seamanship duties on board Navy ships. They handle the berthing of ships, use ship's boats and small arms, and maintain the ship and its fixtures.

Boatswain's Mates (BM) is the oldest rating in the Navy, has a rich history of honored traditions. BM’s are the leaders and backbone of every ship’s crew. A Boatswains Mate maintains the exterior surfaces of ships, deck handling machinery and equipment, handle cargo and operate small boats during a number of evolutions including Anti-Terrorism Operations and Maritime Interdiction boardings of suspect ships.

The duties performed by Seamen (Boatswain's Mates) include:

 • Stand watch as helmsman, lookouts, and Boatswain Mate of the Watch.

• Repairing, maintaining and stowing equipment in preparation for underway operations.

• Search and Rescue swimmer.

• Standing security watches while in port and underway.

• Operating sound-powered telephone systems.

• Serving as a member of damage control, emergency and security alert teams.

• Participating in naval ceremonies.

• Underway replenishment (transferring supplies from ship to ship at sea).

• Small boat operations.

• Flight deck and amphibious operations.

• Taking command of tugs, barges and other small craft.

• Supervising deck crew in cleaning, painting and maintaining ships and their equipment.

• Direct boat crews in landing and rescue operations.

• Teaching seamanship.

• Serving as flight deck crew during helicopter operations.
Qualifications and Interests

Working Environment

Boatswain’s Mates perform most of their duties outdoors, working closely with others, and the majority of work is of a physical nature.

Qualifications and Interests

BM’s must be able to get along well with others and to speak clearly and distinctly. Other qualities include resourcefulness, a good memory, curiosity, physical strength, manual dexterity, the ability to work as a team member and to perform repetitive tasks.

BM - Able Seaman

Ships and Boats Mates are responsible for the proper training and supervision of junior personnel including junior officers in naval traditions, military conduct and justice, leadership, management information, career information, training, programs and policies, military requirements, safety and damage control and security, visual, and radio communications procedures; direct the operation and maintenance, deck machinery, firefighting and other emergency equipment; assist in sea/air rescue and missions of mercy operations; direct the movement of non-self-propelled yard craft within the boundaries of harbors, bays and sounds; operate YTM/YT tugs to assist in docking, undocking, dry-docking, and cold iron moves; act as safety technicians by assisting the collateral or primary duty Safety Officer or Safety Manager in coordinating the implementation of the Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) program, traffic safety program, and recreational, athletics, and home safety program; perform administrative and record keeping functions in support of the command safety organization; identify hazards, unsafe work practices, and health hazardous conditions.

BM - Ordinary Seaman

Ordinary Seamen perform shipboard operations including stevedoring and maintenance. They are knowledgeable in rigging, ship’s security, deck seamanship, navigation, and piloting. They operate and maintain small boats, deck equipment, and machinery. They prepare metal and wood surface for primers and paints; prepare and apply primers and paints; rig cargo handling equipment to replenish ships at sea; handle cargo in port; know signals for directing winch and crane operators. They supervise cargo handling, stand watch as boatswain’s-mate-of-watch at sea, and in port, supervise 6-40 persons performing work details, deck functions, general upkeep of the ship, and maintenance and repair of deck equipment. They maintain discipline; serve as master-at-arms and police petty officers. They supervise repair parties during shipboard emergencies, handle small boats as coxswain, inspect and maintain lifeboats, life rafts, and survival equipment; launch and recover lifeboats and ship’s small craft; conduct training of junior personnel, supervise flight deck operations as flight deck observers, chock and chain persons, and enlisted landing signalmen for multiple helicopter flight deck operations.

BM - Ships and Boats Mate

Ship’s and Boats Mates are responsible for the proper training and supervision of junior personnel including junior officers in naval traditions, military conduct and justice, leadership, management information, career information, training, programs and policies, military requirements, safety and damage control and security, visual, and radio communications procedures; direct the operation and maintenance, deck machinery, firefighting and other emergency equipment; assist in sea/air rescue and missions of mercy operations; direct the movement of non-self-propelled yard craft within the boundaries of harbors, bays and sounds; operate YTM/YT tugs to assist in docking, undocking, dry-docking, and cold iron moves; act as safety technicians by assisting the collateral or primary duty Safety Officer or Safety Manager in coordinating the implementation of the Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) program, traffic safety program, and recreational, athletics, and home safety program; perform administrative and record keeping functions in support of the command safety organization; identify hazards, unsafe work practices, and health hazardous conditions.

110202-N-YO394-236 CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Feb. 2, 2011) Chief Electronics technician Nicholas Howell, left, and Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Sheldon Oga, both assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, look for a place to insert a ground patrol during a final exam problem exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Williams/Released)

110210-N-8040H-154 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 10, 2011) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Hillary Luke directs cargo in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a replenishment at sea. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher K. Hwang/Released)

 
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