The deck department  is fairly small, we are billeted for a BOSN, BMC, 2 BM1’s and 2 BM2’s.  With these six members we maintain 11 boats ranging in size from 14’ inflatable to a 32’ Munson (Pictured above)  The BMs are the coxswains, but some put in to become CDL drivers or ATV instructors. There are several options for other collateral duties.  Your primary responsibility here is to be qualified responder.   Along with the boats, we maintain a good portion of the “orange gear” when it comes to boom reels, VOSS loads, all rigging, and temporary storage devices for oil.  We are also in charge of all  aircraft load-out equipment. Once a year we have a maintenance period, which is a two week event where we break out all the equipment in our inventory for maintenance, evaluation and training. The deck department gets underway as often as operationally possible to maintain our currency requirements.  With the size of our AOR and the potential to get underway during the worst conditions, it is paramount that we train and get underway as often as possible, just remember this is only one part of our overall mission.  By being a BM you are inherently a leader, and this job will help make you a better, stronger leader.