The Boatswain's Mate (Article + Video)

SAG HARBOR, NEW YORK, September 20, 2007 (BoaterB,The Boating Channel)

U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jessica Walsh
practices her technique with the Boatswain's Pipe

Have you ever thought about the a Boatswain's Mate? Do you know what a Boatswain's Mate is? I've never given it much thought myself. I knew the term, and might have even guessed the right answer on Jepordy. But, I wouldn't have known where to start in an open-ended question like "What is a Boatswain?" Fortunately, I came upon a Coast Guard Video Interview with Joseph Klemencic, from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell, about his job as the boatswain mate of the watch, otherwise known as a BMOW.

Mr. Klemencic does a good job of laying out the functions of a BMOW. He starts by telling us how the BMOW relates to the other major job functions that keep the Cutter Boutwell ship-shape, and ready for action. "The OD puts the focus on the ship, where we're going, piloting. CUMO makes sure the OD is getting the correct information as far as navigation is concerned, and "The BMOW is a watch standard, keeps all that running together, running smoothly." We're then taken on his tour of duty, checkin in on this and that, waking a guy at 5:00AM, rather thoughtfully considering the hour...

The full article and video can be seen at: BoatingChannel.com