Who can authorize an interlock to be bypassed?

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Interlocks are safety features that prevent equipment from operating in unsafe conditions, so bypassing them is a high-risk action that must be tightly controlled. The person who has ultimate responsibility for the ship’s safety and mission—the Commanding Officer—alone has the authority to authorize such an exception. This ensures there’s proper accountability, documented justification, risk assessment, and any necessary compensating controls before the interlock can be bypassed. While the Executive Officer or Safety Officer may review or recommend the action and handle the procedural steps, the formal override authority rests with the CO. Other ranks, like Master Chief Petty Officer, do not hold this level of authority to override safety systems.