AB Bosun

AB Bosun

Location: Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8AJ
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits
Schedule: 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off rotation

Ready to impact a better future?

As an AB Bosun in our Defence Maritime team, you’ll play a key role in supporting safe vessel operations, maintenance activities, and cargo handling. As the senior deck rating on board, you’ll help ensure deck personnel, equipment, and operations are ready to deliver essential maritime services safely and efficiently.

In this role, you'll help create a positive impact by maintaining high safety standards, supporting operational readiness, and ensuring vessels remain prepared to meet customer and mission requirements. Your expertise, professionalism, and commitment to teamwork will help impact a better future while creating trusted and effective solutions for our customers and communities.

What you’ll do as an AB Bosun

• Lead and supervise deck ratings, ensuring tasks are carried out safely, professionally, and in line with operating procedures and risk assessments.


• Support the Master in the safe and efficient operation of the vessel, maintaining compliance with company, Flag State, Classification Society, International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS), and International Safety Management (ISM) requirements.


• Manage cargo loading and unloading activities in accordance with approved cargo plans and operational requirements.


• Maintain the cleanliness, upkeep, and readiness of vessel accommodation, deck areas, bridge spaces, and working environments.


• Monitor lifting equipment, maintain accurate records, and ensure equipment is available for testing and certification as required.


• Conduct toolbox talks, promote a strong safety culture, and support the vessel’s safety committees and daily operational planning activities.

Does this sound like you?

• Hold an Able Seafarer (AB) Certificate of Competence and relevant Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certifications, including Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Survival Craft proficiency.


• Hold a valid ENG1 medical certificate.


• Have experience working in maritime deck operations, including cargo handling, vessel maintenance, and deck watchkeeping duties.


• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders to achieve safe and successful outcomes. 


• Take pride in delivering high standards, demonstrate personal drive, and adapt positively to changing operational requirements.

What we offer

• 25 days’ holiday


• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme


• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.


• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service


• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel


• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity


• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks:

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, you will need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.


• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact [email protected].

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