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Deck department

U.S. Navy•92 members

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About this Unit

Deck department

U.S. Navy

The Deck Department is a vital unit aboard naval vessels, responsible for the maintenance and operation of a ship's exterior and all deck-related equipment. Historically, sailors assigned to the deck department have managed anchoring, mooring, small boat operations, and the handling of cargo and supplies, dating back to the Age of Sail. Over time, the department has evolved with advancements in naval technology, incorporating modern seamanship skills and safety protocols. Today, the Deck Department remains crucial for ensuring the safe navigation, upkeep, and readiness of naval ships across the world.

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Historical Facts

Origins in Sail: The deck department traces its roots back to the Age of Sail, when “deck hands” were responsible for rigging, sails, and handling the ship’s daily operation—skills still foundational today.
Boatswain’s Call: The boatswain’s pipe (or call) is a centuries-old whistle used by deck department leaders to issue commands and signals—its distinct sound can be heard over the roar of the sea.
Anchor Aweigh: The phrase “anchor aweigh,” meaning the anchor is clear of the sea bottom and the ship is free to maneuver, is a critical call made by the deck department during departures.
Paint and Preservation: Deck sailors spend countless hours painting and preserving the ship to prevent rust and corrosion, a never-ending task that dates back to the earliest steel ships.
Crossing the Line Ceremony: The deck department often orchestrates the “Crossing the Line” ceremony, a traditional naval initiation for sailors crossing the Equator for the first time.
Liberty Boats and Small Craft: The deck department operates and maintains the ship’s boats, used for personnel transfers, resupply, and even rescue missions—essential lifelines, especially before helicopters.
Rigging and Mooring: Handling mooring lines and rigging is a hazardous, high-skill task; “line handling” accidents are among the most common causes of injury on deck.
Navigation Support: Quartermasters from the deck department assist in navigation, plotting courses, and maintaining the ship’s log, making them vital to safe voyages.
Signal Flags: Before modern communications, deck sailors mastered the art of semaphore and signal flag hoisting—a language of colored flags used to convey tactical messages between ships.
Tradition of the Bosun’s Chair: Maintenance aloft, like painting masts or rigging antennas, is done using the bosun’s chair—a specialized seat rigged with ropes, requiring both courage and expertise.

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Deck department

U.S. Navy•92 members

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About this Unit

Deck department

U.S. Navy

Unit members

ERNEST MATELSKI

U.S. Navy · 1985 - 1987

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Stephen Halbrader

U.S. Navy · 1989 - 1993

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Paul Roth

U.S. Navy · 1980 - 1988

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Morris Reid

U.S. Navy · 1993 - 1995

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Navy photos

Somewhere in Kuwait near the Iraqi border

Siezed Soviet/Iraqi Tank that was abandoned

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About Deck department

About this Unit

Historical Facts

Origins in Sail: The deck department traces its roots back to the Age of Sail, when “deck hands” were responsible for rigging, sails, and handling the ship’s daily operation—skills still foundational today.
Boatswain’s Call: The boatswain’s pipe (or call) is a centuries-old whistle used by deck department leaders to issue commands and signals—its distinct sound can be heard over the roar of the sea.
Anchor Aweigh: The phrase “anchor aweigh,” meaning the anchor is clear of the sea bottom and the ship is free to maneuver, is a critical call made by the deck department during departures.
Paint and Preservation: Deck sailors spend countless hours painting and preserving the ship to prevent rust and corrosion, a never-ending task that dates back to the earliest steel ships.
Crossing the Line Ceremony: The deck department often orchestrates the “Crossing the Line” ceremony, a traditional naval initiation for sailors crossing the Equator for the first time.
Liberty Boats and Small Craft: The deck department operates and maintains the ship’s boats, used for personnel transfers, resupply, and even rescue missions—essential lifelines, especially before helicopters.
Rigging and Mooring: Handling mooring lines and rigging is a hazardous, high-skill task; “line handling” accidents are among the most common causes of injury on deck.
Navigation Support: Quartermasters from the deck department assist in navigation, plotting courses, and maintaining the ship’s log, making them vital to safe voyages.
Signal Flags: Before modern communications, deck sailors mastered the art of semaphore and signal flag hoisting—a language of colored flags used to convey tactical messages between ships.
Tradition of the Bosun’s Chair: Maintenance aloft, like painting masts or rigging antennas, is done using the bosun’s chair—a specialized seat rigged with ropes, requiring both courage and expertise.