Nautical Term: Master
Definition of Master
The term ‘Master’ refers to the captain of a ship. This nautical term is a vestige of an era when the captain was not only the operational head of the vessel but also, legally, the ‘master’ of the ship and its crew. His decisions were final and binding.
For instance, During a violent storm, the Master of the ship issued orders to secure all loose equipment on deck and to batten down the hatches to prevent water from entering the ship’s hold. His decisive actions helped save the ship and its crew from potential disaster.
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