As a Boatswain, you will need to master following:

• apply fishing maneuvres
• coordinate fish handling operations
• coordinate the ship crew
• fisheries legislation
• fishing gear
• fishing vessels
• international regulations for preventing collisions at sea
• operate vessel critical systems
• participate in the organisation of emergency drills
• prepare fishing equipment
• preserve fish products
• risks associated with undertaking fishing operations
• stand watch on vessel
• swim
• use fishing vessel equipment

More generally, a boatswain is also versed in:

• Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
• assist in ship maintenance
• extinguish fires
• handle cargo
• handle fish products
• maintain safe navigation watches
• operate ship equipment
• pollution prevention
• quality of fish products
• support vessel manoeuvres
• survive at sea in the event of ship abandonment
• train employees

It also helps to know the following:

• evaluate schools of fish
• prepare aquatic inventory reports
• report to captain
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
• assessment of risks and threats
• communicate using the global maritime distress and safety system
• fisheries management
• use maritime English