Question 58 OSV02 - Mate - Offshore Supply Vessels

The Correct Answer is C **Why option C ("The Master or his authorized representative") is correct:** The Dangerous Cargo Manifest (DCM) serves as a critical safety and regulatory document detailing all hazardous materials aboard the vessel. While the shipper is responsible for providing the initial information and certifications regarding the cargo (often documented on a Dangerous Goods Declaration), the **person in charge of the vessel**, which is the Master, is ultimately responsible for ensuring the vessel carries the correct documentation and adheres to safe transport regulations. Regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), require that the Master, or a properly designated representative acting on the Master's authority (such as the Chief Mate), sign the manifest to formally acknowledge the document's correctness and assume responsibility for the dangerous cargo carried on board. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **A) The shipper:** The shipper is required to certify the cargo declaration (often a separate document), guaranteeing the cargo is properly classified, packed, marked, and labeled. However, the shipper does not sign the vessel's official onboard manifest (DCM) acknowledging its presence and location on the ship; that responsibility lies with the vessel command structure. * **B) Only the Master:** While the Master is the primary responsible party, regulations recognize that operational necessity often requires delegation. The Master may authorize another senior officer (the "authorized representative") to sign the document on their behalf, making "Only the Master" too restrictive. * **D) A U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector:** Marine Inspectors examine the documentation but are not signatories to the vessel's operational documents. Their role is enforcement and verification, not assuming operational responsibility for the manifest's contents or correctness.