Bosun

JOB POSTING: BOSUN
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced and technically competent Bosun (Boatswain) to serve on
board the HUMANITY 1, a German-flagged humanitarian search and rescue (SAR) vessel
operating in the Central Mediterranean. As Deck Department Leader, the Bosun plays a
central role in coordinating safe deck operations, crew supervision, SAR mission support,
and vessel maintenance.
The Bosun works closely with the Chief Mate and Search-and-Rescue-Coordinator (SARCo) to
ensure operational readiness, technical safety, and crew performance on deck. This role
demands excellent seamanship, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to humanitarian
values in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities and Duties:
- In charge of crew and operation on deck related to rescue activities
- Report to Chief Mate and coordination of work on deck acting as deck leader with three deck
ratings
- Responsible for safe operations on deck
- Responsibility for maintenance of general arrangement of deck and accommodation
Safety & Rescue Operations
- Ensure the readiness of all rescue-related deck equipment, including RHIBs, davits, lifting
slings, fenders, and embarkation ladders.
- Coordinate safe RHIB launching/recovery operations using electric/hydraulic davits or deck
crane, in line with SMS procedures.
- Support preparing RHIBs for deployment: inspecting sponsons,
fuel tanks, battery charge, safety inventory (VHF radios, PPE, lifebuoys, rescue nets).
- Act as crane operator for lifting RHIBs, provisions, and gear, with strict adherence to rigging
safety practices.
- Monitor deck lighting, firefighting stations, and LSA gear specific to SAR operations.
- Maintain and update vessel’s spare part inventory

Training & Drills:

- Line handling drills (forward/aft stations)
- RHIB launch and recovery training
- Crane operation safety sessions
- Fire, abandon ship, and person-overboard drills

Requirements:
- Valid Navigational Watchkeeping Certificate (STCW A-II/4 or ATCW A-II/5)
- Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
- Valid Certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) as well as Certificate of Designated
Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2)
- Valid Certificate of Proficiency for Advance Training in Techniques for Firefighting (STCW AVI/3) (issued within the last 5 years)
- Experience in SAR operations preferable
- Crane operator experience (hydraulic and electric systems)
- Familiarity with davit systems and SOLAS RHIBs
- very good teamwork skills, especially in extreme situations
- strong communication skills
- Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired
position
- Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
- Awareness of working for an NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced
volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
- Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team;
spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of
themes)
- Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
- Age: 23-70 years
- Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella

We provide:
• Base Salary: 3000 € / month (employee gross)
The salary may increase depending on work experience, qualifications as well as social factors in
line with our internal salary structure
• Possibility for long-term employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in
certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse
as possible. In particular, we encourage persons identifying as female, trans*, inter* or agender
to apply.