As the vessel clears the pilotage area, weather has worsened beyond what was forecast at the start of the passage, making the planned pilot disembarkation point and method (pilot ladder height/freeboard) potentially unsafe. What should the Master do?

A. Leave the decision entirely to the pilot boat operator with no input from the vessel's bridge team

B. Proceed with the original disembarkation plan exactly as arranged regardless of how conditions have changed

C. Reassess the disembarkation plan against the actual current conditions rather than the original plan — this may mean adjusting vessel heading/speed to create a safer lee, choosing an alternative disembarkation method or location if available, or in extreme cases delaying disembarkation until conditions improve; the original plan was made for different conditions and should not be followed blindly

D. Disembarkation safety is solely the pilot's own personal responsibility once they have left the bridge

A. Accept the new plan without question since the pilot has local knowledge and authority over all manoeuvring decisions

B. Insist on the original MPX plan being followed exactly regardless of the pilot's reasoning

C. Query the change directly and ask the pilot to explain the reasoning before accepting it — the pilot brings essential local knowledge, but the Master retains overall responsibility for the vessel and must understand and be satisfied with the plan being followed, not simply defer without comprehension

D. Say nothing and monitor passively, since pilots are never required to explain their plan to the Master

A. Speak up immediately and clearly, stating the specific observed hazard — the presence of a pilot does not remove the bridge team's obligation to maintain independent monitoring and to challenge anything that appears unsafe, regardless of the pilot's experience or authority on the bridge

B. Wait for the Master to notice independently before raising any concern

C. Say nothing, since the pilot is in charge of conning the vessel and has ultimate authority over the navigation

D. Only raise the concern after the vessel has already entered the shallow water, to avoid questioning the pilot prematurely