Legislation and pollution
The Master works within the framework of the conventions and codes — SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, Load Line, MLC, the Large Yacht Code, ISM and ISPS — and the Merchant Shipping Notices that carry the detail, and applies MARPOL, the SOPEP and the Garbage Management Plan in daily operation. The examiner wants an officer who knows the duty, the standard, and where the detail is written, and who keeps honest, complete records, because false or missing entries are a serious offence.
Emergency command and judgement
Command of a major emergency
- Take command; raise the alarm, muster and account for everyone.
- Assess the threat to the ship and direct the emergency teams while keeping essential services running.
- Communicate — the appropriate distress or urgency call, and liaison with the company and authorities.
- Decide — fight on, seek assistance, or as a last resort order a controlled abandonment with everyone accounted for.
- Record the times and actions for the report and any investigation.
NOTE — Command is judgement and accountability The certificate ultimately certifies judgement under pressure and personal accountability for the ship and everyone aboard. The examiner probes not just what you know, but how you would decide and lead when it matters.
WARNING — The overriding authority is there to be used Under the ISM Code the Master's authority to act for safety overrides commercial pressure. A Master who knows this but will not use it when safety demands has missed the point of command.