Which authority must grant permission to change safety valve settings?

The correct answer is NAVSEA because any changes to safety valve settings must comply with strict safety and engineering standards established to protect both personnel and equipment. NAVSEA, or the Naval Sea Systems Command, oversees and provides regulations and guidance for naval engineering and safety practices. They ensure that any adjustments made to safety equipment like valves are thoroughly reviewed and authorized to prevent potential hazards or failures.

In engineering contexts aboard naval vessels, safety valves serve a critical function by preventing overpressure situations—that is, they ensure the system operates within safe limits. Therefore, authorization from NAVSEA is necessary to maintain oversight on safety parameters, ensuring that any changes do not compromise safety protocols.

Other authorities, such as the Chief Engineer, Safety Officer, and Engineering Officer, play important roles in operations and safety, but they typically must operate within the framework established by NAVSEA when it comes to the formal approval of alterations to safety-critical systems like safety valves. Their roles may involve implementation and daily oversight rather than the overarching approval for changes dictated by NAVSEA standards.