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My father has made strong comments against the captain for putting his ship and crew in danger. Corporate owners often pressure ship captains as to course and schedule, but the ultimate responsibility rests with the captain.

One of my father's favorite captains was notoriously sharp in tone in his messages to the company owner when they tried to pressure him as to schedule and course. For example, when directed to tie up at a certain time at the company dock at his destination port, the captain replied that he would do so, weather and traffic permitting -- with regrets that he could not be more definitive because of the lack of the requested radar that the company was too cheap to install. Despite intrigues to fire him, this captain was retained because of his experience and exceptional ability.

Unfortunately, such men are rare, and there is no small tendency for corporate ship owners to put ships and crews at risk.