SHIPPING INQUIRIES AND COURTS. Inquiries and investigation as to shipping casualties.—Where a shipping casualty, as defined by th Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, has occurred, a preliminary inquiry may be held by the persons therein named, who have for the purposes of the inquiry the powers of a Board of Trade inspector. Formal inquiries are also author ised, in some cases with the assistance of one or more assessors appointed out of a list of approved persons, which is in force for three years. In the case of loss of life by reason of any casualty happening to or on board any boat belonging to a fishing vessel, the Board may order an inquiry to be made or a formal investigation to be held as in the case of a shipping casualty. Powers as to certificates of officers, EST.—The Board of Trade may suspend or cancel the certificate of any master, mate, or engineer if it ti shown that he has been convicted of any offence. Powers are given to certain courts to cancel or suspend such certificates, and the Board may cause an inquiry to be held into the conduct or competency of any certificated officer. In certain cases the master of a ship may be removed upon the application of the owner or his agent, or of the consignee or of a certificated mate, or of one-third or more of the crew of the ship. A certificate cancelled or sus pended must be delivered up to the Court or to the Board of Trade under a penalty of ,e50. The Board may reissue and return such cancelled certifi cate, or shorten the time of its suspension, or grant in lieu thereof a certifi cate of the same or any lower grade. Rehearing of investigations and inquiries.—Where a formal investigation into a shipping casualty or an
inquiry into the conduct of a master, mate, or engineer has been held, the Board may order the case to be reheard if they have reason to believe that a miscarriage of justice has occurred. There is also, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, a right of appeal by the owner or any other person interested in the ship. Supplemental provisions as to investigations and inquiries.—Where a stipendiary magistrate is in any place a member of the local marine Board a formal investigation at that place into a shipping casualty is required, when he happens to be present, to be held before him. The Lord Chancellor has power to appoint Wreck Commissioners for the United Kingdom, so that there shall not be more than three of them at any one time. The legislature of any British possession may in certain cases authorise any court or tribunal to make inquiries as to shipwrecks or other casualties affecting ships, or as to charges as to incompetency or misconduct on the part of masters, mates, or engineers of ships; but an inquiry must not be held into any matter which has once been the subject of an investigation or inquiry and has been reported on by a competent court in any part of his Majesty's dominions. Where an investigation or inquiry has been commenced in the United Kingdom with reference to any matter, an inquiry into the same matter must not be made in any British possession. There are general rules in force relating to the foregoing.