The Third Mate was an officer of the ship, fourth in command, after the Captain, First and Second Mates. Along with the Second Mate, he supervised the seamen's work, stood watches, and maintained discipline. During the chase, he was in charge of one of the whaleboats, the small boats that were rowed out in pursuit of the whales. His lay (share of the profits) was between 1/38 and 1/60.