Master (Captain)
The Master — commonly called the Captain — is the officer in overall command of a merchant ship and the person with ultimate authority and legal responsibility for the vessel, its crew, cargo and safe operation. The Master represents the shipowner and, in many respects, the flag state, and has wide powers and duties under maritime law.
The Master's responsibilities span safe navigation, the safety and welfare of the crew, care of the cargo, compliance with the ISM Code and all regulations, and the ship's commercial and legal affairs in port (signing bills of lading, dealing with agents, authorities and surveyors). The Master has overriding authority to take any decision necessary for safety and pollution prevention, even against commercial pressure. Though a pilot may advise in confined waters and shore management directs commercially, the Master retains command and final responsibility. The role sits at the apex of the ship's hierarchy, above the deck and engine departments, and is central to safe and lawful ship operation.
The Master carries the buck for everything on board — safety, cargo, crew, compliance and the law — with overriding authority to act for safety even under commercial pressure. Understanding the Master's command and legal responsibility is fundamental to how ships are run and how accountability works at sea, from bills of lading to casualty response.
Does the pilot take over from the Master?
No — a pilot advises in confined waters, but the Master retains command and final responsibility for the ship at all times.
What is the Master's overriding authority?
The right and duty to take any decision necessary for the safety of the ship and crew and to prevent pollution, even against commercial instructions.