A purser is a person responsible for handling money and managing financial matters on a ship or aircraft. Their duties vary depending on the type of vessel and the specific role they play. Some key responsibilities of a purser include:
- Managing money and accounts : Pursers oversee financial matters, such as cashing personal or traveler's checks, paying bills, and sending and receiving wire transfers
- Handling immigration and customs documents : Pursers are responsible for ensuring that passengers have valid travel documents and understanding immigration laws in each country the ship stops at
- Overseeing passenger transactions : On passenger ships, pursers provide financial services for guests, such as settling financial disputes and helping with billing inquiries
- Managing staff and operations : In the aviation industry, a purser is the manager on board an aircraft, overseeing the entire operation, including safety and security procedures
- Assisting passengers : Pursers may help passengers prepare customs declarations, answer questions about sightseeing trips, and provide assistance with lost stateroom key cards or other requests
The term "purser" originates from the word "purse," referring to the pouch in which this person keeps their money and documents
. In the 18th century, pursers were often required to post sureties and were not paid a salary, but they were entitled to profits made through their business activities
