Authority of the Master
By law, the Master of a vessel has full and final responsibility for the safety of the vessel and all personnel on board. Because of this responsibility, he has full authority over all operations and embarked personnel. If circumstances require alteration of the cruise plan for safety or legal reasons he shall keep the Cruise Leader apprised of matters affecting his decision.
The Master is also responsible for effective and economincal operation of the vessel in support of the scientific mission.
R/V BARNES and its crew are there solely to assist in carrying out the scientific mission. In practice, the Cruise Leader informs the Master of what he desires and, unless it is unsafe or illegal, it wil be carried out.
Responsibility of the Cruise Leader
The Cruise Leader is responsible for the coordination and direction of the science mission and for the conduct and activities of the embarked scientific personnel. It is vital to the success of a cruise that the Cruise Leader and the Master keep each other informed of scientific goals and capabilities or limitations of the vessel and crew.
The Cruise Leader shall ensure that all his/her party's personal effects and scientific equipment are removed from the vessel immediately at the end of the cruise and that the laboratory and berthing areas are cleaned and ready to accommodate the next scientific party. Unloading and cleanup can be delayed at the Master's discretion, if circumstances permit.