I have to wonder, if a ship’s master makes a judgement call and delays sailing due to weather. The shore side, office staff put pressure on the Master losing his job. If a vessel’s master is being " monday night quarterbacked" by shore side executives that have no “stake” in anything if something goes array. How has this NOT diluted Master Authority ?
Because shore staff assumes an outsized assumption of their role. They don’t really understand the legal implications of what they are requesting their ship staff to do, and remember if something happens the Coast Guard doesn’t ask to see the office staff they want the ship personnel.
That’s why it is so vital for a Master to utilize whatever their company calls “Master’s Overriding Authority” and make the call to someone in the office that outranks whoever is pressuring them. You HAVE to be willing to do that to protect your ship, and more importantly, your crew
I’ve done it when the company tried to tell me how to dodge a hurricane… if I was wrong I knew I’d be looking for a new company, or worse. But I was right, and was the first boat back to the survey area for the group once it passed.
The one company that I worked for that did attempt it on several occasions it was always by a phone call. when I asked them to put it in writing and that was the last I heard of it.
The IMO needs to be far more aggressive in supporting the masters overiding responsibility . SOLAS supports the concept in name only without a shield protecting the master and consequently the crew the masters overriding responsibility just makes them responsible if it goes wrong ,nothing else.
Many years ago we had a cabin with a corroded pipe in the bathroom leading to sewage gas entering the accommodation.
The CE agreed it was a matter of some urgency and could not wait for a dry dock.
A shore crew removed the offending pipe fabricated a new one but the CE refused to fit it as he would not take responsibility if the pipe was defective,I supported the CE.
The management were furious about the cost and we were both summoned to the office shortly after going on leave.
Just before the day of the “enquiry” two children on a same flag passenger ferry were suffocated by sewage gas from a faulty pipe in a cabin bathroom.
Our enquiry was cancelled.
In the end as master do what is right and be willing to accept the consequences.
You are the master " under God" not the cabin boy . Be aware that instructions from the “office” may be coming from a very junior individual inculcated with a view that “you have to kick arse” when dealing with ships staff.
A captain I greatly admired was removed from his command and replaced by a more amenable individual.
The ship was arriving in New Orleans and my colleague informed the US Coastguard why he was leaving the ship and what had caused his dismissal.
The vessel was detained in New Orleans for 5 months due to serious deficiencies reported to the company but ignored .
I feel sorry for young masters today who do not have the benefit of sailing with gruff individuals that had learnt their trade during WW2, and were well able to put shoreside management in their place.
Calling the DPA for support might be a good place to start.
An “expert opinion” about the "Duties Of Captain In Merchant Navy
In each SMS/ISM book it’s stated about Master’s overriding authority. Regarding weather - Master is responsible to bring the ship and crew safely to next port. There is no discussion on that matter. Companies very often push to speed up or to proceed but it is Master’s final decision how to act. I experienced also “weather routing companies” that Company hired to give wrong directions that I refused to follow, always keeping copies of weather forecasts screenshots to prove my actions in case of any dispute. Never heard any blames later.
It may not be the office. It could be the port you’re in kicking you out. Not to name any names but when hurricane Michael entered the gulf, a port that requires the utilization of a pilot made me leave. The storm was still more than a day from hitting land but that sucked and was dangerous. Not sure if the pilot association just wanted more money but if that happens again I will be calling my DPA.