 This person is typically a chief petty officer or 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 or leading rate.The buffer reports to the first lieutenant or deck officer, 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.