Admiralty & Maritime
7. Ship Master Obligations
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Last updated: 30 Mar 2015
- The master of a ship has a strict duty to help any person or persons who are found at sea and in danger of being lost. The nationality of these persons is irrelevant.
- In the event of a collision between two vessels the masters of the respective ships have an obligation to help the master, crew members and passengers of the other vessel. The master of the ship has a strict duty to stay with the other vessel until such time it is determined that continued assistance is no longer required.
- The master must take immediate action to help people should they reasonably believe that people on another vessel are experiencing distress or danger.
- Despite carrying out statutory duties in this type of situation a master of a ship who complies with these duties may still be deemed a volunteer and entitled to a salvage reward. This will depend on the facts of the rescue.
- Recent changes to commonwealth maritime laws mean that the master of a ship is also personally liable for the effects of any ship-sourced pollution that may be traced to the vessel they are in command of.
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