Side boys are a naval tradition to welcome and send off dignitaries as they board and depart a Navy ship.

Side boys are now also used for other ceremonial purposes on land such as during a change of command or retirement.

[2][3] The Boatswain's mate would signal to the line of men heaving the boatswain's chair aboard with to "hoist away" or "avast heaving" with their pipe, and those signals and the ceremonial line of men on either side of the gangway now serve as a nautical courtesy for distinguished guests.

[3] Side boys today are an even-numbered group of seamen posted facing each other in two rows at the head of the brow when a visiting dignitary boards or leaves the ship, the number dependent on the rank or seniority of the guest.

The boatswain's mate should be positioned behind the outboard side boy in the forward row but where convenient as space allows.