Answer :
Final answer:
The most senior officer in the SOPA PENNANT is the Commanding Officer, who has ultimate authority and responsibility over the ship and its crew.
Explanation:
The most senior officer on a ship displaying the SOPA (Senior Officer Present Afloat) Pennant is the Commanding Officer. The SOPA is a distinction used in the Navy to denote the senior ranking officer present in a group of naval ships. When multiple ships are present, the SOPA is typically the highest ranking or the first in rank in the order of precedence aboard a vessel. This title and role go beyond the roles of the Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Navigation Officer, who are subordinate to the Commanding Officer within a ship's hierarchical structure. The Commanding Officer has ultimate authority and responsibility for the ship and those embarked.
