Who is in charge of a ship?

Answer 1

The commanding officer of a ship is called "captain" regardless of their rank. This is true for all US Navy and Coast Guard ships. In the US Coast Guard, it is not uncommon for a Lieutenant O-3 to have command of a ship. It is also not uncommon to have a commander 0-5 as captain of a naval vessel. In fact, there are many ships that have an enlisted officer in charge, usually a Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officer. This is especially true in the Coast Guard where most of your smaller ships have all enlisted crews.

In the merchant world, the captain of the ship is still called "captain" by the crew, but he or she is actually the "master" of the vessel. The master of the vessel must have a US Coast Guard license (or foreign country equivalent) for the type of vessel and for the route that it is sailed. For example The Exxon Valdez had a captain named Joe Hazelwood, he had US Coast Guard License for Unlimited tonnage, any waters. A ship that only does tours of San Francisco harbor can be sailed on a licensed restricted to inland waters and is certainly smaller than the Valdez. So if the vessel is registered for 100 gross tons a master with an inland 100 ton license can legally operate her with passengers. Obviously it takes more training and experience to pilot the Valdez than a tour boat or smaller vessel.

Answer 2

That could be the 'captain' or the 'master'

Answer 3

Captain

Answer 4

The captain