Glossary
Terms & Glossaries of Shipping and Trading
Barrelman
Barrelman is a sailor stationed in the crow's nest.
Barrelman is a sailor stationed in the crow's nest. Barrelman is in reference to a person who would be stationed in the barrel of the foremast or crow's nest of an oceangoing vessel as a navigational aid. In early ships the crow's nest was simply a barrel or a basket lashed to the tallest mast. Later it became a specially designed platform with protective railing.
