Masters Responsabilities

Question 1

What is the masters overriding Authority.

Answer 1

Nothing can remove the Masters authority and responsibility to make decisions and take action with respect to the preservation of life, safety of the ship and pollution prevention and the responsibility to request the company’s assistance as may be necessary.

This must be entered into the SMS.

Question 2

Master discretion as per SOLAS

Answer 2

The owner, charter, company or any other person shall not prevent or restrict the master from taking or executing any decision which in the masters judgment is necessary fo the safety of life at sea and protection of the environment.

Question 3

What is required of a master when Reporting Dangers to Navigation and what dangers is he required to report?

Answer 3

“Securite” broadcast all appropriate means to all local vessels and a local coats station.

A WINDS

• Accretion: Freezing, gale causing severe ice
• WINDS >10 no warning
• Ice
• Navigation Dangers
• Derelict
• Storms Tropical

Question 4

What is the master’s duty to render assistance under SOLAS.

Answer 4

BOUND
PROCEED 
INFORMING
NATIONALITY or STATUS
UNABLE/UNREASONABLE? LOGBOOK
REPORT

The master of a ship at sea which is able to provide assistance to a vessel and/or person’s at sea, is BOUND to proceed with all speed to their assistance, Informing them and S&R services that she is doing so. The obligation applies regardless of a person nationality or status or circumstances found.
If unable to assist or deems it unreasonable or unnecessary he must record his reasoning in the log book taking into account his responsibility to INFORM S&R.

Question 5

Responsibilities with pilot onboard

Answer 5

• Follow Pilots Advice
• NAV monitored
• Insist Pilot takes all Reasonable precautions
• OOW attend to Pilots requests
• OOW has Charge
• State Opinion in maters of NAV and warn pilot if if disapproval ofations

Question 6

Aground with a PILOT actions

Answer 6

Write Full report describing events

• ADVICE ONLY from PILOT, master has full responsibilities
• LOG BOOKS, engine and deck
• Printouts of bridge equipment in use
• STATEMENTS from all possible
• LOCATION and time
• SPEED and COURSE
• CHARTS in use
• WEATHER and TIDAL
• LIST of all Nav equipment in use
• INFORM owners, DPA, POrt state, Class.

Question 7

What is duty of care?

Answer 7

It is a legal obligation to always act in the best interest of individuals and others. not to act or fail to act in a way that results in harm. To act within your competence and not take on anything you do not believe you can safely do.

Question 8

List some examples of the masters duty of care.

Answer 8

1. Care of the yacht for the owner
2. Health and safety of the crew
3. Guest safety
4. Protection of the environment

Question 9

When is a master relinquished from their duty to render assistance

Answer 9

5 U’s

1. Unable to do so.
2. Unreasonable to do so. TO FAR many other ships closer
3. Unnecessary. Other vessels
4. Unwanted. Distress/RCC vessel says not needed.
5. UNSAFE, Proceed into a TRS.

The master must enter into the logbook then reason for failing to proceed to type assistance of a person in distress.

Question 10

Master primary Role/Duty

Answer 10

Safety of LIFE
Safety of the SHIP
Protection of the marine ENVIRONMENT

Question 11

Masters Mandatory requirements under SOLAS

Answer 11

PRAM

• Passage planning
• Report Dangers
• Assist in distress
• Mandatory reporting (VTS)