8Shipping inspectors

8 Shipping inspectors (1) The Minister may, by instrument in writing, appoint a person to be a shipping inspector for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Director may, by instrument in writing, require a shipping inspector to report to the Director: (a) upon the nature or cause of an accident or damage to a vessel; or (b) as to whether or not this Act or a regulation under this Act has been complied with; or (c) as to whether or not a vessel is fit to proceed to sea without serious danger to human life. (3) If a shipping inspector is required to report under subsection (2) or believes on reasonable grounds that a vessel was used, is being used or is about to be used in the commission of an offence against this Act, the shipping inspector may: (a) go on board a vessel, including a vessel under construction, and inspect the vessel or its equipment or any part thereof, any cargo or articles on board and any document carried in or on the vessel pursuant to this Act; and (b) enter premises and make such examination and investigation and require the production of such books and documents as the shipping inspector considers necessary for the performance of the shipping inspector's duty; and (c) require the owner of a vessel or a seaman on a vessel to produce a document in the possession or control of that person relating to the crew; and (d) require the master of a vessel to produce a list of all persons on board; and (e) require the master of a vessel to muster the crew of the vessel; and (f) require the master of a vessel to give an explanation of any matter concerning the vessel or its crew; and

Marine Act 1981 10 (g) detain or delay a vessel in order to obtain any advice, information or evidence. (4) A shipping inspector must not exercise any power under subsection (3) so that the vessel is unreasonably detained or delayed. (5) The Director must issue to each shipping inspector an identification card containing: (a) a photograph of the inspector and the signature of the inspector, verified by the signature of the Director; and (b) any limitations in the instrument of appointment of the inspector. (6) Before a shipping inspector enters any premises, boards a vessel or makes a requirement of a person under subsection (3), the shipping inspector must produce the shipping inspector's identification card to that person.