Who is responsible for preparing an emergency check-off list on a vessel?

The master of the vessel is ultimately responsible for preparing an emergency check-off list. This responsibility falls to the master because they hold the highest authority on board and are responsible for the overall safety and operation of the vessel. An emergency check-off list is essential for ensuring that all crew members are aware of their roles and responsibilities during an emergency, allowing for a coordinated and efficient response.

The master typically takes the lead in developing this list in consultation with the crew. This list would include essential actions, such as equipment checks, emergency procedures, and communications protocols to be followed in various emergency scenarios. The master’s training, experience, and legal obligation to ensure the safety of all personnel onboard reinforce the importance of this task being assigned to them.

While crew members, the first mate, and the engineer all play critical roles in emergency procedures, their involvement is usually in the execution or refinement of the existing plans rather than in the creation of the check-off list, which is the master’s responsibility.