Each ship in the [[Merchant Fleet]] serves under an arrangement called a '''merchant charter'''. The different forms types of charter are -all take the form of a feudal oath sworn to the fleet authorities on behalf of the [[Emperor]].{{Fn|1}}

*'''Heredity Free == Charter'''The most coveted and highly honoured form of captaincy. A hereditary free captain nominates his successor, and that successor swears the oath of allegiance and thereby becomes the new captain of the ship when its current captain dies or retiresTypes ==

=== Heredity Free Charter ===The captain is 'free' in that he may trade freely within 'Heredity Free Charter''' is the [[Segmentum]] where his fleet is based. Many most coveted and highly honoured form of these old captaincies are based in all five of the Segmentum Majoriscaptaincy. Although the A hereditary free captain is theoretacally an Imperial servantnominates his successor, his obligations are few. The ship may trade where and how it pleases within that successor swears the oath of allegiance and thereby becomes the confines new captain of the ship when its chartercurrent captain dies or retires.¹

*'''Heredity Charter'''Hereditary captains The captain is "free" in that he may pass their ships to favoured, or related, successors as described abovetrade freely within the [[Segmentum]] where his fleet is based. Many of these old captaincies are based in all five of the [[Segmentae Majoris]]. As well as inheriting a ship, Although the hereditary free captain inherits a route or routesis theoretically an Imperial servant, and can only carry cargo and passengers along this routehis obligations are few. Some routes are more profitable than others The ship may trade where and so are more highly regardedhow it pleases within the confines of its charter.^{{Fn|1}}

*=== Heredity Charter ==='''Hereditary''' captains may pass their ships to favoured, or related, successors as described above. As well as inheriting a ship, the captain inherits a route or routes, and can only carry cargo and passengers along this route. Some routes are more profitable than others and so are more highly regarded.{{Fn|1}} === Free Charter==='''Free ''' captains are appointed to command individual vessels by fleet officials. They are usually established fleet officials themselves, having worked their way up the ranks to a position of responsibiltyresponsibility. Free captains may trade as they wish within the [[Segmentum]], except that they are usually forbidden from trading along established routes. Instead, they roam the less-densley populated sectors, areas where regular services are either not needed or would be too costly to run.^{{Fn|1}}

*=== Fleet Charter ===A '''Fleet Charterfleet'''A fleet captain is appointed to his position in exactly the same way as a free captain, but plies fixed routes like the hereditary captain. This is the least prostigious prestigious level of interstellar captaincy, and is also the least secure. A fleet captain may be deprived of his command and given a shore posting at anytime, his ship reassigned to someone else.^{{Fn|1}}

*[[Imperial Fleet]]*[[AdministratumRogue Trader]]

*¹ [[WD140Category:Imperial Fleet]] p 50 [[Category:ImperiumTitles and Ranks]]