Deck department
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Deck Department is a reference to a division on a U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine vessel that is comprised of sailors who perform maintenance and upkeep on the ship ("chippers and painters," as they are commonly referred to) and are knowledgeable in basic seamanship. Undesignated seamen, or those who have not selected a rating (e.g. job or vocation), are normally the most junior sailors onboard and are usually sent to the Deck Department for their first tour of duty.
In the Navy, the Deck Department is led by boatswain's mates, sailors who have chosen seamanship as their primary area of expertise. The First Lieutenant serves as the Deck Department's division officer while the Operations Officer serves as the department head, reporting directly to the ship's Commanding Officer.
In the Merchant Marine, the unlicensed crew of Able Seaman and Ordinary Seaman is led by the Boatswain. The Chief Mate is the department head.
