Final answer:
The extent of punishments at captains mast is primarily determined by the severity of the offense (Option A). While the sailor's rank and the ship’s location might be considered, they are not decisive factors. Weather conditions have no influence on the level of punishment imposed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent of punishments permitted at captains mast, a non-judicial proceeding in the Navy to discipline sailors for minor offenses, is determined primarily by A) The severity of the offense. The captain, acting as both judge and jury, has the authority to impose various levels of punishment based on the specific circumstances and gravity of the sailor’s actions. While the sailor's rank and the ship's location might have contextual influence, the foundational determinant is the offense itself. The weather conditions are not a factor in determining the extent of punishment.
B) The sailor's rank might play a role in terms of the expectations of conduct and responsibilities held by different ranks, which could influence the perception of the offense's severity, but is not the deciding factor for the level of punishment.
The ship's location can influence the application of certain legal jurisdictions or the execution of the punishment, but it does not define the potential extent of the punishment at a captains mast.
Weather conditions are completely irrelevant to the process of determining punishment at a captains mast. The administrative process of discipline is concerned with legality and the maintenance of order, not environmental factors such as weather.