Question 239 Deck General

70% to pass

A vessel is entering port and has a Pilot conning the vessel. The Master is unsure that the Pilot is taking sufficient action to prevent a collision. What should the Master do?

A Direct the Pilot to stop the vessel and anchor if necessary until the situation clears.
B Nothing; the Pilot is required by law and is solely responsible for the safety of the vessel.
C Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot.
D State his concerns to the Pilot but do not interfere with the handling of the vessel.
AI Explanation

The correct answer is C) Recommend an alternative action and if not followed relieve the Pilot. The Master is ultimately responsible for the safety and operation of the vessel, even when a Pilot is conning the ship. While the Pilot has the conn and is required by law, the Master should monitor the situation and if they believe the Pilot is not taking sufficient action to prevent a collision, they should recommend an alternative course of action to the Pilot. If the Pilot does not follow the Master's recommendation, the Master has the authority to relieve the Pilot and take control of the vessel. The other options are incorrect because: A) The Master should not stop the vessel without consulting the Pilot first, as this could create an unsafe situation. B) The Master cannot simply defer to the Pilot and take no action if they believe the Pilot is not handling the situation properly. D) The Master should not simply state their concerns without taking any further action if they believe the Pilot is putting the vessel at risk.

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