Cap. 234 чл. 313Preliminary inquiry into shipping casualty. 

(1) A preliminary inquiry respecting a shipping casualty may be held by such person as is appointed by the Minister where -

(a) a shipping casualty involves or is supposed to involve a Maltese ship; or

(b) a shipping casualty involves or is supposed to involve any ship and such casualty has occurred on the coasts of Malta, including any port installation or ship repair facility, or at sea within the territorial jurisdiction of Malta, or where any witness is found in Malta; or

(c) the Minister by regulations has so prescribed.

(2) For the purpose of any such inquiry, the person holding the same may -

(a) go on board any ship and inspect the same and every part thereof, and the machinery, equipment and cargo and may require the unloading or removal of any cargo, ballast or tackle;

(b) by summons under his hand, require the attendance of any person he thinks fit to call before him and examine such person on the subject of the inquiry and administer oaths to the persons to be so examined by him;

(c) by summons under his hand or otherwise, require the production of all books and other documents he considers relevant for the purpose of such inquiry.

(3) The provisions of articles 362, 363 and 364 of the Criminal

Code shall apply to summons issued under sub-article (2).

(4) If any person summoned in the manner aforesaid refuses or fails without reasonable cause to attend or to reply to any questions put to him at the inquiry, or if any person refuses or fails without reasonable cause to produce any book or document which it may be in his power to produce and which he has been required to produce as aforesaid, or if any person wilfully impedes the person holding the inquiry or fails to comply with any requisition made by him, such person shall for each offence be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding twenty units.

(5) Upon the conclusion of the inquiry, the person holding the same shall make a report to the Minister.