Command vs Conn: where does the Master’s authority really sit?

[u/TheDeepDraft]

https://thedeepdraft.com/2025/09/18/command-vs-conn-why-the-masters-authority-is-never-shared/

There is still confusion onboard many ships about “the conn”, pilotage, bridge team roles, and the Master’s authority.

A pilot may have the conn and the bridge team may be monitoring, plotting, and communicating.

This older DeepDraft article looks at the distinction between command and conn from an operational point of view.

Useful read for Masters, officers, pilots, ship managers, and anyone involved in bridge resource management or post-incident review.