24. During topping off of bunker tanks, the loading rate must be personally supervised by the __________.

U.S. regulations mandate that topping off bunker tanks be directly supervised by the designated person in charge (PIC), not by job title. The PIC is formally designated, meets specific qualifications, and is legally responsible for overseeing critical transfer stages, distinguishing them from the terminal operator, chief engineer, or master, who may act as PIC if qualified.