Merchant Shipping Act 1894

Inquiry as to death, injury, ill-treatment, punishment, &c.

386

386.(1) Where any such occurrence as in the last preceding section mentioned happens or is supposed to have happened, the superintendent at or nearest to the port at which the fishing boat arrives after the occurrence, or to which the boat belongs, may inquire into the cause and particulars of the occurrence, and, if a report as to the occurrence is made to him in pursuance of the said section, may make on the report an endorsement either that in his opinion the particulars in the report are true, or otherwise to such effect as in his opinion his information warrants.

(2) For the purpose of the inquiry, a superintendent shall have all the powers of a Board of Trade inspector under this Act.

(3) If in the course of the inquiry it appears to the superintendent that any such occurrence as aforesaid has been caused or was accompanied by violence or the use of any improper means, he shall report the matter to the Board of Trade, and shall also, if the emergency of the case in his opinion so requires, take immediate steps for bringing the offender to justice, and may for that purpose, if in his discretion he thinks it necessary, cause him to be arrested, and thereafter dealt with in due course of law.