Who can provide permission to bypass an interlock?

• A. Officer of the Day
• B. Commanding officer
• C. Safety officer
• D. Supervisor

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is who has the authority to override a safety measure in order to carry out a mission. A temporary bypass of a safety interlock is a serious deviation from standard safety procedure, and it must be held to the highest level of command. The commanding officer is responsible for the ship’s overall safety and operational readiness, so they alone can authorize a temporary bypass when it is necessary for mission accomplishment, provided a proper risk assessment, controls, and documentation are in place. This ensures there is clear accountability and that the decision reflects the balance between risk and mission needs.

Operations staff like the Officer of the Day handle day-to-day watch duties and safety oversight within the current shift, but they do not have the authority to waive safety interlocks for equipment or systems. The Safety Officer offers guidance on safety practices and may recommend against bypassing interlocks, but they do not grant such authorization by themselves. A Supervisor can direct tasks and manage personnel, yet overriding a critical safety device is not within their purview.

So, the commanding officer is the appropriate authority to grant a temporary bypass when a clear, justified operational need exists and proper risk controls are in place.