Boatswain's Mates

A Boatswain's Mate is essentially an apprentice to a ship's Boatswain. They oversee the day to day operations of the Deck Department, and are also responsible for training and leading Voidmen in their various voidsmanship tasks. Ships will have hundreds or thousands of Boatswain's Mates depending on their size and complement. Boatswain's Mates carry the piercing whistle of their superiors, but they are more commonly known for the lashes and shock-staves they carry as symbols of their office to encourage or "start" slow or hesitant crew members.