Command roles in WWII about merchant navy

[mjbollinger]

Hi everyone,

Perhaps someone can educate me on a specific issue. For a British transport requisitioned into military use during WWII, how should one think about the role of the (civilian) ship Master, as opposed to the senior Royal Navy officer aboard the ship. Does the fact that the ship was requisitioned and is under RN command relieve the civilian master of some of the normal responsibilities associated with being the ship's captain?

For example, if the ship is found to have had inadequate lifeboats or lifeboat launching equipment, does the captain take responsibility? Could his authority to refuse to sail until the equipment is repaired be overruled by the RN officer in such a case?

Just trying to understand how the authority and responsibility work in such cases. Many thanks.

Marty