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CHAPTER 34

BOATSWAIN, ROYAL NAVY POLICE OR CHIEF OF THE BOAT AND COXSWAIN

(MOD Sponsor: PMN)

This chapter has been diversity and inclusion impact assessed by the sponsor in accordance
with Departmental policy. No direct discrimination or adverse impact was identified. This
chapter is due for review at the next routine amendment exercise.

CONTENTS

SECTION I - THE BOATSWAIN

Para
3401. Boatswain’s Duties
3402. Rigging
3403. Anchors and Cables
3404. Weather Decks
3405. Portable Fittings and Spare Gear
3406. Periodical Examination and Testing of Gear - Defects
3407. Other Equipment and Publications
3408-3420. Unallocated

SECTION II - THE ROYAL NAVY POLICE, CHIEF OF THE BOAT AND COXSWAIN

3421. Royal Navy Police (RNP) Duties - Responsibilities and Authority

3422. The Senior Royal Navy Policeman (SRNP) Responsibilities
3423. Ratings Under Punishment
3424. Libertymen
3425. Customs
3426. Embarkation/Disembarkation Patrols and Escorts
3427. Ships Visits and Rounds
3428. Control of Personnel Effects.
3429. Duty Senior Rating
3430. Duty Rosters
3431. RNP Investigations
3432. Security Management
3433. Books and Records to be Kept

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CHAPTER 34

BOATSWAIN, ROYAL NAVY POLICE OR CHIEF OF THE BOAT AND COXSWAIN

SECTION I - THE BOATSWAIN

3401. Boatswain’s Duties

1. A Chief Petty Officer (SEA) will be borne for Boatswain’s duties only in large ships,
such as aircraft carriers, and in certain other specialized ships. They are also responsible for
management of the bridge staff and providing Tactical Communications delivery to the
Command. They are frequently to be on deck when the hands are employed and is to
supervise their work under the direction of the Executive Officer or delegated officer.

3402. Rigging

1. They are responsible for ensuring that the standing and running rigging, hawsers,
boats’ falls, derrick purchases and all items detailed in their list of portable fittings and spare
gear are in a thoroughly serviceable condition, taking care that they are refitted as necessary.
They are to acquaint themselves of their state by frequent examination, reporting the result to
the Executive Officer or delegated officer, so that immediate steps may be taken to refit or
replace whatever may require to be dealt with.

2. They are also responsible for the provision, stowage and maintenance of all
seamanship equipment used for replenishment at sea except those items which are under the
charge of the Marine or Weapon Engineer Officer.

3. They are to take charge of the ship’s Rigging Warrant (D6f/ROLARE as fitted) and is
to insert therein any alterations or additions which arise during the commission.

3403. Anchors and Cables

1. When the ship commissions, they are to inspect all gear, except hull fittings, which is
supplied for the working of anchors and cables to ensure that it is complete and correctly fitted.
Thereafter, until the ship pays off, they are to see that such gear is maintained in an efficient
condition and ready for immediate use.

2. When the ship proceeds to sea, they are to assist the officer detailed for cable duties
in seeing that the anchors are secure, and again on returning to harbour that the anchors and
cables are ready for immediate use.

3404. Weather Decks

1. On the ship proceeding to sea and throughout the period at sea, they are to ensure
that all derricks and gear on the weather decks are properly secured. Similarly, they are
responsible for the security against wind and weather of any stores carried on the weather
decks.

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3405. Portable Fittings and Spare Gear

1. They are to take charge of all gear detailed in the ship’s list of portable fittings and
spare gear for the Boatswain. On the ship paying off they are to see that these items are tallied
and are returned to the custody of the dockyard.

3406. Periodical Examination and Testing of Gear - Defects

1. They are to ensure that all gear under their charge is periodically inspected and tested
in accordance with the regulations and instructions.

2. They are to keep an accurate account of all defects to the gear and fittings on their
charge, and record the steps taken for test or repair either by the ship’s staff or by the dockyard
when the ship is taken in hand for refit. When preparing the lists of defects, they are to be
guided by the instructions contained in the regulations referred to above.

3. They are to bring all defects in the hull fittings which may concern them to the notice
of the Marine Engineer Officer and is to obtain the latter’s assistance in the maintenance of the
anchors and cables.

3407. Other Equipment and Publications

1. They are responsible for all flag halyards, signal lamps and other equipment and
publications necessary to enable the provision of tactical communications including visual
signaling.

3408–3420. Unallocated

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SECTION II - THE ROYAL NAVY POLICE, CHIEF OF THE BOAT AND COXSWAIN

3421. Royal Navy Police (RNP) Duties - Responsibilities and Authority

1. Responsibility. Where applicable, the Executive Officer, or any other officer

nominated by them in their absence, is to ensure that any RNP ratings on the unit’s
complement, carry out the instructions contained in this section.

2. The RNP is a specialisation within the Warfare Branch and includes the Warrant
Officer First Class (Master at Arms) (WO1(MAA)), Master at Arms (MAA), Regulating Petty
Officer (RPO) and Leading Regulator (LReg).

3. Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and Leading Ratings of any other branch may be
required to assist the RNP outside of their normal duties. When considering their employment
for this purpose ratings of the medical branch should be given due regard to the duties required
of them and any possible ethical objections to such employment.

4. In the absence of the MAA or RPO the duties of the Senior Royal Navy Policeman
(SRNP) are to be performed where possible, by the LReg or where no RNP rating is borne,
any other non commissioned Officer the Commanding Officer may appoint.

5. In ships where there are no RNP ratings, these duties are to be performed by the Chief
of the Boat or Coxswain. Instructions in this section and elsewhere in these regulations relating
to the SRNP may also apply to the Chief of the Boat or Coxswains or any other non
commissioned Officer appointed by the Commanding Officer in this role.

6. RNP have powers of arrest, under Sections 67, 69 & 303 of the Armed Forces Act
(AFA) 2006, over all Service personnel and civilians who are subject to Service discipline.

3422. The Senior Royal Navy Policeman (SRNP) Responsibilities

1. Where applicable, the SRNP is responsible directly to the Executive Officer and the
Officer of the Watch / Day for the following:

a. All RNP duties, excluding the conduct of RNP investigations, which are
independent of the Chain of Command (see QRRN J.3604 – Independence of Service
Police Investigations and BRd 3 20042 – Investigation of Offences) and for which the
SRNP is only responsible to Provost Marshal (Navy) (PM(N)).

b. The reporting of any incidents, offences, irregularities, causes of dissatisfaction or

any other ill feeling that may arise amongst the ship’s company.

c. Ensuring that all subordinate RNP staffs carry out their duties with diligence and
integrity and deal with emerging situations in an effective and pragmatic manner.

d. For proactive policing and enagaging in activities that seek to deter any offences,
on ship or ashore, that promote the ethos of good order and discipline amongst the
ship’s company (See QRRN 3602 - Maintenance of Good Order).

e. Maintaining a complete and auditable record of all lost and found propertyand its
continued retention or disposal (see QRRN 3614).

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3423. Ratings Under Punishment

1. General. The SRNP is to be fully conversant with all summary punishment

procedures in accordance with JSP 830 - Manual of Service Law and is to ensure that
punishments awarded are administered correctly.

2. Reports. The SRNP is to provide the Executive Officer with a list of all ratings under
punishment and ratings under investigation on a regular basis. They are also to complete the
relevant part of the Weekly Logistics Report.

3. Charges. The SRNP is responsible for all ratings under or awaiting punishment, until
released to duty or otherwise disposed of.

4. Visits. Where applicable, the SRNP, or delegated RNP staffs are to visit all personnel
in custody and ensure their continued safety in accordance with established risk assessments
and the overarching principles outlined in JSP 837-Service Code of Practice for the
Management of Personnel in Service Custody and Committal to Service Custody Premises
and Civil Prisons.

5. Fire or Danger. Where fire or any other danger, threatens the wellbeing and safety of
any person in custody, the SRNP is responsible for the release of the individual from custody.

3424. Libertymen

1. The SRNP or rating nominated by them for such duty, is to ensure that libertymen are
supervised during their departure from the ship and are dressed in accordance with the
standards laid down in the Ship’s General Orders and/or BRd 3 Part 6-Uniform Regulations.
On expiry of leave the SRNP must inform the Officer of the Watch / Day of any personnel not
accounted for.

2. When considered necessary, the SRNP is to ensure that libertymen, boats’ crews and
boats are searched when leaving and returning to the ship, in order to ensure that HM Revenue
and Customs Regulations for the RN, in accordance with BRd 1990. SRNP are to ensure that
no public or Service property is taken from the ship unlawfully and that no prohibited items,
substances or alcoholic liquor is brought on board the ship (see QRRN 3501(6) and 3502 for
privileges of Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and Leading Rates).

3425. Customs

1. The SRNP is to be fully conversant with HM Revenue and Customs for the RN
outlined in BRd 1990 and QRRN 6301 - 6310 and is to enforce those regulations accordingly.

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3426. Embarkation/Disembarkation Patrols and Escorts

1. Authority. Ratings or other ranks of the Royal Marines when employed on regulating,
security/sentry or patrol duties, or as a Quartermaster in harbour, are authorised in the
execution of those duties, to give lawful orders to other ratings, including those superior to
them in accordance with QRRN 0334(1)(f). Furthermore, they may, where Section 67 of the
Armed Forces Act 2006 applies, arrest any person subject to Service Law1, who they believe
to be engaged in the commission of an offence or having had committed an offence.

2. Composition of Patrols. Patrols and escorts, consisting of personnel other than

RNP, are to be below the rating of Petty Officer. One member of the patrol or escort party
should be the rank of LH.

3. Armlets. Patrol armlets are to be worn on the left cuff by ratings temporarily employed
on security or patrol duties or as quartermaster whilst on duty.

3427. Ships Visits and Rounds

1. General. An important part of the RNP duties is the prevention of irregularities on

board. The RNP staff are to visit various parts of the ship to see that due order prevails and
that standing orders and routines are being complied with. They are also to ensure that similar
visits are conducted by their staff when other duties permit.

2. Clear Lower Deck. When the order is given to clear lower deck, the RNP staff are to
ensure that it is obeyed with alacrity, and that no one remains below unless authorised. When
the decks are clear, they are to report the fact to the Executive Officer.

3. Rounds. RNP staff are to accompany the Executive Officer, or the Officer conducting
evening rounds at sea; in harbour this duty will be transferred to any other nominated Senior
Rate.

3428. Control of Personnel Effects.

1. Effects of Absentees / Missing Persons. RNP staff are to securely retain any
personnel effects belonging to missing persons / absentees and deserters and effect delivery
of those items to the RNP Missing Persons Unit at the earliest opportunity.

1. Below the rank or rate of Warrant Officer First Class.

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2. Effects of the Deceased. RNP staff may be required to assist in the collection and
delivery of all personal effects that belonged to deceased personnel to the Logistics Officer/
Imprest Holder, who will maintain a detailed inventory and diary of events in accordance with
Annex A to Volume 2, Part 1, Chapter 6 of JSP 751. It is imperative that the Logistics Officer/
Imprest Holder is notified immediately of any Public/Service property or personal effects of any
nature, that is retained by the RNP staff for evidential purposes. No property should be
released, disposed of, sold, or destroyed until authorisation has been granted by the Joint
Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). The only exception, is when an item of property
presents an immediate health risk; where in such cases the justification for its disposal must
be fully recorded in the diary of events.

3. Sale of Effects. The SRNP are to be present at the sale of the effects of all deceased
personnel and deserters. Control of monies made from such sale should be dealt with by the
Logistics Office/Imprest Holder.

3429. Duty Senior Rating

1. The SRNP is to brief the Duty Senior Rating of their responsibilities in the event of an
incident of a disciplinary nature as part of their duty training programme. The SNRP is to notify
them of all ratings under punishment and the routines to be carried out by those ratings..

3430. Duty Rosters

1. The MAA and RPO are to be excluded from wholeship Duty Rosters; due to their
position as the Senior RNP. They are however, to be included in the duty RNP roster (24/7
ashore and afloat) when away from UK base ports (Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane).

2. The LReg may be an SCC watch keeper on a DD and FF only in UK base ports,
(Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane). Additionally, the LReg is to be included in the Duty RNP
roster (24/7 ashore and afloat) when away from UK base ports. The LReg is to be relieved of
duties from the SCC when a sustainable watch routine of 1 in 4 allows and/or when there is a
requirement to undertake statutory duties on investigations.

3431. RNP Investigations

1. All investigations undertaken by RNP, regardless of their nature and of who initiated
the investigation, are conducted independently of the chain of command. The Provost Marshal
of the Service police force in question is responsible for investigations and for ensuring that
Service police investigations are free from interference. Interference includes any attempt by
anyone who is not a member of the Service police to direct an investigation being carried out
by the Service police. Service police must not be obstructed or otherwise hindered, or
influenced in any manner, in the conduct of investigations. The chain of command has a clear
duty to assist the Service police and to facilitate their inquiries. Obstructing or failing to assist
a member of the Service police may be an offence, as may interference with an investigation.
Compelling reasons are required before assistance may be refused, and assistance should not
be refused without seeking legal advice. None of these provisions places any legal obligation
on an individual to provide a statement.

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2. The SRNP is to ensure that all RNP investigations are conducted expeditiously and in
accordance with current legislation and PM(N) Technical Instructions and Policy Notes.

3. All Service Police Case Referrals made under the Armed Forces Act 2006 are to be
referred to either the Director of Service Prosecutions (DSP) or the Commanding Officer in
accordance with current legislation, PM(N) Technical Instructions and Policy Notes.

4. All documentation pertaining to RNP investigations is to be held on board for a

mandatory period of three years, thereafter it is to be archived in accordance with PM(N)
Technical Instructions.

3432. Security Management

1. The SRNP when carrying out the duties of Assistant Unit Security officer (AUSO), is
responsible to the Unit Security Officer (USO) for all aspects of their security duties and should
complete the AUSO Sea Course prior to assuming this role. Thereafter, their responsibilities,
under the supervision of the USO, may include:

a. Assisting in the coordination of all aspects of security within the unit and advising
on security matters as required.

b. Assisting in the assessment of threats to the unit and the planning and
implementation of security counter measures.

c. Assisting in the preparation, maintainance and promulgation of Unit Security

Standing Orders and ensuring that they are understood.

d. To investigate and record all breaches of security, however minor, and

recommend remedial actions to the USO, unless the breach warrants a full RNP
investigation and investigative independence is exercised.

e. Consulting with the Command, Area or Base Security Officer as required.

f. Organising security training within the unit and maintaining a nominal list of
personnel attending that training.

g. Briefing and debriefing personnel visiting countries with special security risks.

h. Implementing and supervising monthly Security Spot Checks.

i. Maintaining a security Log in accordance with current procedures.

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3433. Books and Records to be Kept

1. The SRNP is responsible for maintaining the following records:

REDCAP/IMS database
Exhibits Log
RNP Investigations Register
DNA Register
Fingerprint Register
Search Register
Gangway Wine and Spirit Book
Security Log
Record of Temporary ID Cards issued or lost
Lost and Found Property Log (MOD Form 288)
Daily Occurence Book
COPPERS database
Ashore on Duty Log (Held for three months after completion)
Visitors Log (Held for three months after completion)
Custody Log and Orders
Escort Orders
Shore Embarkation Patrol Orders

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