The Master is the senior-most officer aboard a merchant vessel, holding ultimate command authority and legal responsibility for the ship, its crew, cargo, and safe navigation.
Master vs Captain
“Master” is the formal, legal maritime term used in regulations, certificates, and official documents. “Captain” is the common everyday term for the same role. Onboard, crew typically address the Master respectfully but the terms refer to the identical position.
Scope of Responsibility
- Final authority over navigation, safety, and all onboard operations
- Legal responsibility for compliance with international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC) and flag state law
- Authority to override any other decision onboard, including commercial pressure, when safety is at stake
- Responsibility for crew welfare, discipline, and the ship’s official log
Certification
Reaching Master rank requires clearing the Master FG (Foreign-Going) competency exam, following required sea time as Chief Officer — typically the culmination of 10-15+ years of deck department career progression from cadet.
Master’s Authority Under Law
Under maritime law and MLC 2006, the Master’s decisions on matters of safety take legal precedence over commercial instructions from the company — a principle sometimes called “Master’s overriding authority,” specifically to prevent commercial pressure from compromising safety decisions.
Exam Relevance
Master’s legal responsibilities and authority are covered across multiple subjects in the Master FG competency exam, not confined to a single topic area.