| Ship- and small boat-handling. Rigging. Painting. Chipping paint.
Basically, if it's on the outside of a boat or ship, the Bosun's Mates are responsible for it. Lines and line-handling, rigging, anchors, cleats, chocks, davits, small craft, superstructure and hull, and all the rest.
The rules are simple:
If it moves, salute it.
If it doesn't move, polish it.
If you can't polish it, paint it.
If you can't paint it, throw it overboard 'cause it's useless.
:-D
OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but only a bit. Bosun's Mates are the real sailor-men and -women of the force. They work damned hard, in all kinds of weather. They also learn a LOT of useful skills, and are utterly invaluable. No Bosun's Mates, no ship.
*edit*
Throughout a Navy career that included submarines and surface ships both, I NEVER saw anyone painting the hull overside whilst underway. It's a foolish and dangerous thing to do. I cannot imagine the circumstances that would lead to such an event. Hull painting takes place when either moored or anchored.
Anyone that claimed the Bosun's Mate rate was the worst rate in the Nav is simply ignorant, or is blowing smoke up your backside. It *is* a HARD working rate, make no mistake about it, but there are worse jobs at sea, in my experience. Anyone wearing the crossed anchors has my respect.  |