[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;67468]The master is still ultimately responsible, even if he is asleep. You are not a “captain holding a watch”, you are the mate on watch who happens to have a master license. The coast guard will treat you just like any other mate if something happens[/QUOTE]
That’s right. I’ve never heard of 2nd and 3rd captain before but it seems just to be another title for the mate on watch. The confusion is on vessels where the captain stands watch, the mate (or second captain) rarely calls the captain as generally the mate can cope with almost anything that come up. This is in contrast to a deep sea ship where the captain does not stand watch and the mate on watch is expected to call the captain much more frequently for example a green third mate.
The relationship between the captain and the mate on a vessel where the captain stands watch is in many ways analogous to the relationship between the (first)captain and the owner. The captain is running the vessel but under the owners instructions and within the guidelines of the owner. Under certain circumstances the master may confer with the owners or keep them informed of things out of the ordinary etc.
It’s the same with the mate on watch or the 2nd captain. The 2nd captain is running the vessel while on watch but is acting under the authority of the first captain . Neither the owner or the (first) captain wants to be bothered by routine matters but both the owner and the (first) captain are ultimately responsible for the actions of subordinates.
K.C.