In foreign ports they are consular officers (i. e. British consuls and consular officials at British Embassies and High Commissions). In ports in non-foreign countries outside the UK (e. g. in UK Overseas Territories such as Bermuda and Gibraltar) they include government officials who exercise similar functions to those of an MCA superintendent. These officials may be known locally by a title such as Marine Officer.
The term “proper officer” is used a great deal in UK merchant shipping legislation. Who are proper officers, and what are their functions?
