Oil Pollution of the Sea Act, 1956

Powers of inspectors.

21.—(1) For the purpose of his functions, an inspector may—

(a) go on board any vessel and inspect the vessel and her machinery, boats, equipment and articles on board the vessel and test any equipment with which under this Act she is required to be fitted, not unnecessarily detaining or delaying her from proceeding on her voyage;

(b) enter and inspect any premises and any apparatus for the transfer of oil;

(c) by summons under his hand require any person to attend before him and examine him on oath (which the inspector is hereby authorised to administer);

(d) require a witness to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of the statements made by him at his examination;

(e) require any person to produce to him any document in his power or control or make return to any inquiry;

(f) copy any entry in any prescribed record and require the person by whom the record is to be kept to certify the copy as a true copy of the entry.

(2) A witness before an inspector shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court and shall be allowed such expenses as would be allowed to a witness attending that Court on sub poena; and any dispute as to the amount of those expenses shall be referred to a Taxing Master who shall, on request made to him under the hand of the inspector, ascertain and certify the amount of the expenses.

(3) If any person—

(a) on being summoned as a witness before an inspector and tendered the expenses to which he is entitled under this section, makes default in attending, or refuses to take an oath legally required by the inspector to be taken, or

(b) refuses or neglects to make any answer, or to give any return or to produce any document, or to make or subscribe any declaration, or to certify a copy of any entry, which the inspector is entitled to require, or

(c) wilfully impedes a person in the exercise of his functions under this section,

he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.