Who has responsibility for the care and control of a dangerous cargo manifest?

The responsibility for the care and control of a dangerous cargo manifest typically falls to the ship captain. In maritime operations, the ship captain is considered the person in charge of the vessel and is ultimately accountable for the safety of the ship, its crew, and its cargo. This includes ensuring that all dangerous goods are properly documented, stored, and handled as per regulations.

The ship captain must be well-versed in the various regulations governing hazardous materials, as well as the specific procedures for managing such cargo. This encompasses understanding the implications of the cargo on overall vessel stability, safety during loading and unloading, and compliance with international maritime transport standards.

While other stakeholders, such as truck drivers, contractors, and aircraft pilots, also have responsibilities related to dangerous cargo, their roles are more focused on specific logistics and operations rather than overseeing the entire manifest. Thus, the ship captain's comprehensive charge over the cargo ensures that obligations regarding handling and documentation are met to maintain safety and regulatory compliance.