Shipmaster

Ship Master is a Covenant Sangheili (Elite) rank.

Rank
A Ship Master is a Covenant title for a high ranking Covenant Elite who is in command of a single starship. This rank is the Covenant analog to the UNSC naval "Captain" or "Commander".

While Ship Masters hold their individual commands, they still fall under the command of their fleet's commanding Fleet Master, Supreme Commander, or Imperial Admiral.

Appearance
Thus far, only Zealots have been featured as ship masters, with no visible changes to their golden armor. The same is probably true for lower ranks.

Lower Ranks
Zealots (with the exception of Prophets), much as with modern day Admirals, command the largest, most powerful and most important ships in the Covenant fleet. However, Halo: Ghosts of Onyx confirmed lower ranks holding the position of ship master. Voro 'Mantakree was forced to kill his former superior officer, a Zealot, and was given command of the Reverence-class Cruiser ship Incorruptible. At that point in time, he was a Major Domo elite, but was later promoted to a Zealot so that he could command a fleet sent to Onyx to catch the Bloodied Spirit.

This confirms that when a Zealot (or perhaps an Ultra) isn't available or required, a lower ranking Elite may hold the title of ship master.

Related Links

 * Zealot
 * Elite