In the first film, Gibbs appears as a petty officer in the Royal Navy, it is implied that he is the ship's boatswain as he is respected, very cynical, and drinks heavily which are stereotypes of a boatswain. While Governor Swann and a young Elizabeth Swann travel to Port Royal, he assists in rescuing a young Will Turner from a shipwreck. Eight years later, Jack Sparrow encounters Gibbs sleeping among pigs in Tortuga. Gibbs, no longer affiliated with the Royal Navy, agrees to help Jack sail HMS "Interceptor" as his First Mate. After Jack is captured by Barbossa, Gibbs attempts to captain "Interceptor". They are swiftly overtaken by the "Black Pearl" and captured. Elizabeth frees Gibbs and the crew, who decide to take "Black Pearl" instead of rescuing Jack from Barbossa. However, Gibbs and the crew later return to Port Royal to save Jack from hanging. After Jack is rescued, Gibbs stays on as his First Mate.