Where must the Cargo Manifest be located aboard a seafaring vessel?

• A. In the engine room
• B. On the ship's bridge or pilothouse and in possession of the captain or master
• C. In the crew mess
• D. At the port office

Answer: (B)

A cargo manifest is a formal record listing every item of cargo on board, including hazardous materials, with details like quantities, packaging, and stowage. The master needs immediate access to this information during navigation, loading, unloading, and especially in emergencies. Keeping the manifest on the ship’s bridge or pilothouse and in the captain’s possession ensures it’s readily available to the person in charge and can be shown to authorities or investigators at a moment’s notice. Storing it in the engine room would impede quick access, and the crew mess is not a secure or formal location for an official document. The port office is external to the ship, so it wouldn’t be on board for in‑flight reference. For these reasons, the manifest belongs on the bridge or pilothouse and in the captain’s hands.