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Quartermaster

A quartermaster on pirate ships had an unusual amount of power, nearing a Captain's equal. The general rule was that during times of battle, a Captain would retain absolute authority, but at all other times both he and the crew were subject to the quartermaster.

The quartermaster was elected by the crew to represent their interests. The quartermaster maintained order, settled quarrels, and distributed food and other items. The quartermaster had the authority to punish minor offenses and kept the records and account books for the ship.

A quartermaster would decide what to take from a captured ship, and if the ship was to become theirs, he would usually become Captain of that ship until it was disposed of.

This position is the only officer on the ship that could veto a Captain's decision, but only when a ship was not engaged in a battle or mission.