🔍 Key Concepts

• Meaning of due diligence in marine operations and safety management • Difference between a safety/operational judgment and a commercial or contractual condition • How courts look at prudent seamanship versus company, union, or cargo considerations

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: which option best reflects the master or owner not taking reasonable care to ensure the vessel is seaworthy and operated safely? • Which choices are more about commercial or contractual expectations (cargo fullness, union rules) rather than basic safety and seaworthiness? • If something caused an incident, which option would most clearly be criticized as a basic failure of prudent seamanship?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option directly affects vessel safety and seaworthiness, not just profit or efficiency • Distinguish between legal/contractual manning requirements and union agreements • Consider what a reasonable, prudent master would be expected to check and control as part of due diligence before sailing