Who is authorized to grant access through the gangway?

The role of the Gangway Petty Officer of the Watch (GPOW) is specifically to manage and monitor access through the ship's gangway, ensuring that security protocols are followed. This individual is trained to assess who is allowed to enter and exit the ship, making them the designated authority for granting access. The GPOW is responsible for maintaining a secure environment by checking identification and ensuring that only authorized personnel are allowed onboard.

While the ship's captain is ultimately in charge of the vessel and its security, the day-to-day responsibility of managing the gangway falls to the GPOW, who is in a position to evaluate access requests in real-time. Other crew members or ship personnel, like the ship's engineer, do not have the inherent authority to control access to the gangway without specific delegation or instruction from the GPOW or captain. This clear delineation of responsibility helps maintain order and security within the ship's operational environment.