Boatswain's Mate (US Coast Guard)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
To comply with Wikipedia's quality standards, this article may need to be rewritten. Reason: Taken word for word from the US Coast Guard website and thus reads like a recruiting ad Please help improve this article. The discussion page may contain suggestions. |
The most versatile member of the Coast Guard's operational team is the Boatswain's Mate (BM).[1] Boatswain's Mates are masters of seamanship.[1] BMs are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervision of personnel assigned to a ship's deck force.[1] BMs have a general knowledge of ropes and cables, including different uses, stresses, strains and proper stowing.[1] BMs operate hoists, cranes, and winches to load cargo or set gangplanks, stand watch for security, navigation or communications.[1]
Boatswain's Mates can be found in nearly every duty station available throughout the United States and various locations overseas.[1] They serve on every Coast Guard Cutter from harbor tugs to seagoing icebreakers.[1] Additionally, in many assignments act as a federal law enforcement officer.[1] BMs are Officers-In-Charge of many patrol boats, tugs, small craft and small shore units including search and rescue stations and aids to navigation teams.[1] BMs utilize their leadership and expertise to perform the missions of the Coast Guard, at sea and on shore.[1]
Leadership ability, physical strength, good hearing and vision and a high degree of manual dexterity.[1] School courses taken in algebra, geometry and shop are helpful.[1] Any experience handling small boats is extremely valuable.[1]
Training for Boatswain's Mate is accomplished through 12-weeks of intensive training at Yorktown, VA or with on-the-job training through a striker program.[1] Upon completion of this training, BMs may go on to attend other advanced training such as Coxswain, Heavy Weather Coxswain, Aids to Navigation Basic and Advanced, Bouy Deck Supervisor, Law Enforcement including fisheries among others.[1]
Related Civilian Jobs include Pier Superintendent, Tugboat Crewman, Heavy Equipment Operator, Marina Supervisor, Marina Operator, and Ship Pilot.[1]
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- United States Naval Institute [1902] (1996). The Bluejackets' Manual, 21st ed., Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-050-9.