Question 1

The Chief Officer, frequently left to authorise permits while the Master deals with other duties, starts to feel that safety decisions have effectively become entirely their own responsibility with no real oversight. Is this the correct way to view the delegation?

Accepted Answer

No — the Chief Officer should expect the Master to remain engaged with how the permit system is functioning even while delegating day-to-day authorisation, and should raise it if that oversight feels absent A felt absence of oversight from the Master is worth raising directly rather than quietly absorbing — delegation of authorisation isn't meant to mean disengagement from the system's functioning.

Question 2

A cadet is told a hot work permit was issued "this morning" and asks the bosun how long it's valid for, without checking the form itself. What is the maximum validity period a permit to work can have?

Accepted Answer

24 hours from issue, with any shorter job-specific time limits also stated on the permit COSWP Chapter 14 sets 24 hours as the maximum validity period a permit can be issued for, with any further job-specific time limits stated on the permit itself.

Question 3

An OOW taking over the watch finds a permit for overside work was issued 20 hours ago and the job is still running. The outgoing OOW says it's "basically the same job, don't worry about it." What should the new OOW do?

Accepted Answer

Check elapsed time against the 24-hour limit, recognise it's close to expiry, and flag to the authorising officer that revalidation will be needed rather than letting it lapse unnoticed A permit approaching its validity limit needs proactive attention at handover, not passive monitoring — the new OOW's job is to flag it to the authorising officer before it lapses, not to wait for it to expire.