🔍 Key Concepts

• The legal role and authority of the master of the vessel under U.S. maritime law • Who actually hires and fires individual seamen in practice versus who holds ultimate responsibility on board • Difference between shoreside agencies/companies and the person in command of the ship at sea

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: once the vessel is at sea, who has the legal power to sign crew on and off the ship and is accountable for the crew list? • Consider which of these choices is physically present in command on the vessel and legally responsible for its operation and crew discipline. • Think about the difference between owning/operating the ship and having on‑board command authority over the seamen.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which party is named in regulations and shipping articles as having authority over signing on and discharging seamen. • Check who is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the crew list / shipping articles. • Distinguish between organizations that regulate or oversee shipping (like USCG or customs) and the person who holds on‑scene command of the vessel and crew.