What Is a Group of Sailors Called?

A group of sailors is called a crew, especially in relation to their work activity aboard a ship. Any worker aboard a ship is considered a sailor, even those engaged in specialized support roles like the bosun, who cares for and manages equipment.

The word “crew” is also used for other groups of workers. For example, stagehands engaged in the mechanics of putting on a play are members of a crew. A group of rowers is also called a crew, which is closer to the usual maritime sense of the word, even though crew members on a row boat are engaged in rowing for sport and not for any sort of commercial or transport activity.