Question 319 Deck General

The correct answer is A) officer in charge of the watch. The reasoning behind this is that the officer in charge of the watch is responsible for the safe navigation and operation of the vessel. As such, they have the authority to allow Maritime Administration personnel to enter the pilothouse, as long as their presence does not interfere with the watchkeeper's duties and the safe navigation of the ship. The other options are incorrect because the most senior person present from the Maritime Administration would not have the same level of responsibility for the vessel's operations, the Chief Officer is not necessarily the watchkeeper, and the Navigator is a specific position that may or may not be the officer in charge of the watch at a given time.