Who has the authority to deprive a sailor of liberty?

The authority to deprive a sailor of liberty is correctly attributed to the commanding officer or officer in charge. This stems from their roles of responsibility and accountability within the naval command structure. Commanding officers have the legal and operational authority to manage shipboard discipline, personnel management, and ensure readiness. Liberty is a privilege granted to sailors, and its deprivation is a significant action that can only be taken by those in authoritative positions who are responsible for the overall functioning and discipline of their command.

This authority is typically exercised in situations where a sailor may pose a risk to themselves, to the mission, or where their actions warrant disciplinary measures. The commanding officer's ability to make decisions regarding liberty provides the necessary oversight to maintain order and discipline among service members. Other members of the chain of command, such as senior enlisted personnel or a deck watch officer, do not have the same level of authority to arbitrarily deprive a sailor of liberty; they may have roles in managing daily operations or specific duties, but they do not hold the necessary level of responsibility required for such actions.