Section 471: Preliminary inquiry into shipping casualties

471. Preliminary inquiry into shipping casualties.—(1) When ever any Principal Officer receives, by notice as aforesaid or otherwise, credible information that a shipping casualty has occurred, he shall forthwith communicate in writing the information to the Federal Government and may proceed to make a preliminary inquiry into the casualty. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (1) the Federal Government may appoint any person to hold a preliminary inquiry respecting any shipping casualty. (3) Any person, making an inquiry under this section, may— (a) go on board any ship and inspect the same or any part thereof, or any of them machinery, boats, equipment or articles on board thereof, to which the provi- sions of this ordinance apply, without unnecessarily detaining or delaying her from proceeding on any voyage; (b) enter and inspect any premises the entry or inspection of which appears to him to be necessary for the purpose of the inquiry; (c) by summons under his hand, require the attendance of all such persons as he thinks fit to call before him and examine for such purpose, and require answers or returns to any inquiries he thinks fit to make; (d) require and enforce the production of all books, papers or documents which he considers important for such purpose; and (e) administer oaths, or, in lieu of requiring or administering an oath, require any person examined by him to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of statements made by him in his examination. (4) An Officer making a preliminary inquiry under this section shall send a report thereof to the Federal Government or such authority as may be appointed for this purpose by the Federal Government.

Effective date: 2001-01-01

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