Focal Points Navigation > The master’s role
Multi Purpose General Cargo vessel < 3000 gt [1]
There should be an explicit instruction that with every voyage, the Ecdis settings should be (i) adjusted to the new/current voyage and (ii) checked.
Multi Purpose General Cargo vessel > 3000 gt [2]
Because of his or her knowledge of the situation at the location, the pilot advises the captain on how to navigate. In many ports it is customary for the pilot to give the commands. However, the captain remains ultimately responsible and should fulfil this responsibility by keeping a clear overview of manoeuvring so that he can intervene immediately if necessary.
The Disciplinary Court wishes to emphasize the responsibility and "overriding authority" of the master. The Disciplinary Court increasingly sees the pressure of shipowners and/or charterers being exerted on the master. The master is the person who can oversee the situation on board and who takes the decisions and is responsible for them. The master must of course defend his decision with arguments to the interested parties (authorities, pilot, shipowner, etc.). The master must always bear in mind that a shipowner is not setting out to cause an accident, which will usually cost many times more than the savings that the shipowner has in mind if, for example, he presses to depart earlier from a port.
Tanker [1]
A BRM team has a verifying task and should identify and correct individual errors made by team members. All members of the BRM Team must therefore be aware of their responsibilities and job descriptions within the team. This means that if one or more members of the BRM team leave the bridge for a short or long period of time, the master (or another team member) will ensure that their tasks are fulfilled or taken over.
Towing and supply shipping [2]
In the case of one-man operation on the bridge, the winch should preferably be operated on deck during spooling so that the captain can focus on manoeuvring.
If the client and the contractor have different safety cases, the most serious safety case applies to performance of the contract
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