Who may command a lifeboat in ocean service?

Who may command a lifeboat in ocean service?

• A. All of the above
• B. Licensed deck officer
• C. Able seaman
• D. Certificated person

Answer: (A)

The capability to command a lifeboat in ocean service hinges on holding the proper certification and being designated as the coxswain, not on a specific rank alone. A master or officer can take command, but so can other crew members who are qualified to act as coxswain for survival craft. A licensed deck officer qualifies because they already hold the necessary competency credentials. An able seaman can also command if they have the appropriate survival craft/cargo-rated coxswain certificate and are designated by the master. Likewise, any certificated person who holds the required survival craft coxswain certification is qualified to command. In practice, the master assigns command to the most competent person available, as long as they possess the valid certificate and the ability to lead the lifeboat’s embarkation, lowering, and recovery operations. That is why all of the above can command a lifeboat in ocean service.

The capability to command a lifeboat in ocean service hinges on holding the proper certification and being designated as the coxswain, not on a specific rank alone. A master or officer can take command, but so can other crew members who are qualified to act as coxswain for survival craft. A licensed deck officer qualifies because they already hold the necessary competency credentials. An able seaman can also command if they have the appropriate survival craft/cargo-rated coxswain certificate and are designated by the master. Likewise, any certificated person who holds the required survival craft coxswain certification is qualified to command. In practice, the master assigns command to the most competent person available, as long as they possess the valid certificate and the ability to lead the lifeboat’s embarkation, lowering, and recovery operations. That is why all of the above can command a lifeboat in ocean service.