Buffer (navy)
Encyclopedia
Buffer is the colloquial title for the senior seaman sailor in a Commonwealth of Nations
Navy ship. The formal title is Chief Boatswain's Mate.
This person is typically a Chief Petty Officer
in frigates or destroyers, and in larger ships may be a Warrant Officer
. In smaller ships, such as a patrol boat, the Buffer may be a Petty Officer
.
The Buffer reports to the Executive Officer
(second in command), and has a wide-ranging roving commission
to supervise seamanship evolutions (activities) and issue directions to seamen as required, and advise "part of ship" Officers and Petty Officers on their activities. As such, directions and orders come with the 'line' authority of the Executive Officer.
The Buffer will manage major ship activities, such as: taking on equipment in harbour; a ship berths alongside in harbour; rigging for refuelling or stores transfer at sea; sending away a sea-boat; laying or recovering a buoy; the ship coming to a mooring.
The Buffer will often be involved in "Heads of Department" planning meetings, along with senior specialist sailors from other departments.
The Commanding Officer
will usually call for advice from the Buffer with the Executive Officer in attendance, so that there is wide agreement and understanding between these three senior seamanship staff.
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
Navy ship. The formal title is Chief Boatswain's Mate.
This person is typically a Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
in frigates or destroyers, and in larger ships may be a Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
. In smaller ships, such as a patrol boat, the Buffer may be a Petty Officer
Petty Officer
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed...
.
The Buffer reports to the Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
(second in command), and has a wide-ranging roving commission
Roving commission
A roving commission details the duties of a commissioned officer or other official whose responsibilities are neither geographically nor functionally limited....
to supervise seamanship evolutions (activities) and issue directions to seamen as required, and advise "part of ship" Officers and Petty Officers on their activities. As such, directions and orders come with the 'line' authority of the Executive Officer.
The Buffer will manage major ship activities, such as: taking on equipment in harbour; a ship berths alongside in harbour; rigging for refuelling or stores transfer at sea; sending away a sea-boat; laying or recovering a buoy; the ship coming to a mooring.
The Buffer will often be involved in "Heads of Department" planning meetings, along with senior specialist sailors from other departments.
The Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
will usually call for advice from the Buffer with the Executive Officer in attendance, so that there is wide agreement and understanding between these three senior seamanship staff.