Who is the Master? The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 defines the Master as every person (except a pilot) having command or charge of a ship. The Master must be duly certificated by the Flag State to hold that position, and must hold a Certificate of Equivalent Competency if their Master's Certificate had been given by another flag. It is axiomatic that the absence of the Master would violate the ship's safe manning certificate, at the very least, with the effect that, without the Master, she will not be going anywhere.