Section 472: Application to Court for a formal inquiry

472. Application to Court for a formal inquiry.—(1) Where in any case it appears to the Federal Government that an inquiry should be made respecting a shipping casualty, whether a preliminary inquiry under section 471 has been held or not, it may direct an officer to make an application to a Court empowered under sub-section (2) to make a formal inquiry into such casualty, and upon the making of such application the Court shall make such inquiry. (2) Magistrates of the first class specially empowered by the Federal Government shall have jurisdiction to make inquiry into shipping casualties under this Chapter. (3) The Courts to make any such inquiry shall hold the same with the assistance of one or more assessors of nautical, engineering, or other special skill or knowledge, to be appointed out of a list of persons for the time being approved for the purpose by the Federal Government in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) Where an inquiry involves or appears or is likely to involve any question as to the cancelling or suspension of the certificate of a master, mate, or engineer, the court shall hold the inquiry with the assistance of not less than two assessors having experience in the merchant service.

Effective date: 2001-01-01

Related sections