Responsibilites of The Captain

Responsibilites of the Captain
This is the top maritime job, that of a Master or Captain on board a cargo or passenger ship.
A Captain is, simply, overall incharge of the entire vessel and the highest authority at sea.
More specifically, he is in charge of safety of the crew, vessel and cargo. He is charged with
ensuring that all international and local laws are followed properly, and that all management
policies are fully complied with.
He is responsible for the navigation and discipline of the crew. In addition, although the
Chief Engineer is directly responsibility for the ship’s machinery or engines, the ‘Chief’
reports to the Captain on all operational matters, and the movement of the Engines are under
the Master’s control.
The Captain is overall responsible for the cargo and its stowage, and also the ship’s accounts
and the crew’s wages. He is directly responsible for all certification as it pertains to the ship,
whether from the Flag State (the country who’s flag the ship flies), Classification Society (like
Lloyds, etc) or any other. The Captain also communicates with shore authorities on any
commercial or other matters, including in response to oil spills or other accidents. After the
World Trade Centre attacks, a new onerous duty has been added to all of these- the Captain is
responsible for the security of the ship as well.
If crew or passengers need medical attention, the Captain must ensure that approved adequate
supplies exist on board to provide this, or to seek shore medical assistance, including medical
evacuation in some cases where it is possible.
Finally, the Captain is responsible for ensuring that proper and accurate records are kept by
the vessel, and are made available to shore authorities in the event of an accident or when
otherwise required.
The Legendary Master
The Buck Stops Here

Even though one must be certified by the Flag State to sail as a Master on board any of their
ships, this is not enough to get one command of a ship as a Captain. Owners are very
particular about the people they appoint as Masters, since they entrust millions of dollars of
ship and cargo to this one individual, not to speak of the lives of their crews.
Many countries award different Master’s certification, and sometimes limit the size (tonnage)
of the ship a Captain can command. The highest certificate is an ‘Unrestricted tonnage’
certificate, which allows a Captain to command ships of any size without any limitations.
Practically, many years pass by the time a raw cadet gets command, and is typically around
12/15 years at sea.
Safety and security remains the Captains primary concern. Safety will include safety of
navigation, personnel, cargo, machinery and the environment. Security duties are diverse too,
and the Captain must ensure that the ship follows approved security plans at all times,
responding to threats from pirates, hijackers and other criminals.
Consequences of a Captain’s mistakes

If rules are not followed adequately, the consequences can be disastrous. Ships are routinely
detained- at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars a day to the owners- for non-compliance
of international regulations pertaining to safety, security or the environment.
Oil spills in the event of a leak can result in irreversible damage to the environment, along
with claims of hundreds of millions of dollars. Masters and other officers and crew are
sometimes arrested and criminally convicted for such incidents.
Lives may be put at risk if the navigation of a ship is unsafe. Alternately, if there is
inadequate care of cargo, claims of millions of dollars are possible.
And, of course, laxity in security arrangements will endanger the lives of all on board. As an
example, thirty five seamen were killed in pirate attacks worldwide last year.
High Pressure, Power and Responsibility

A Captain at sea has been, throughout history, an almost God like individual, exercising
absolute power over his crew. Although the advent of modern legal systems and
communication has changed all that to a large extent, the modern day Captain still has
enormous operational and legal power at his disposal. This is almost invariably tempered by
the heavy pressure and heavier responsibility that a ship’s Captain must carry.
A Captain realises very quickly that his is a uniquely sombre job. He may be a breed apart,
but his responsibilities to his crew and the owners of the ship are very serious responsibilities,
indeed, and the power one is given to manage these is not to be taken lightly.
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Responsibilites of The Captain

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Responsibilites of the Captain

The Legendary Master

The Buck Stops Here

Consequences of a Captain’s mistakes

High Pressure, Power and Responsibility

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