Who assigns authorizing officers to sign, issue and clear tags and labels?

• A. Safety Officer
• B. Executive Officer
• C. Commanding Officer
• D. Chief Engineer

Answer: (C)

Authority to assign who can sign, issue, and clear safety tags and labels comes from the person in command. The Commanding Officer holds the ultimate responsibility for the ship’s safety program and is the one who designates which officers are authorized to carry out tagging duties. This ensures a clear line of accountability and consistent application of safety controls across all equipment and operations. Other roles, like the Executive Officer, Safety Officer, or Chief Engineer, may oversee safety procedures, enforce policy, and manage day-to-day tasks, but they do not establish the initial authorization to sign or issue tags; they operate within the framework the Commanding Officer sets.