Scope
in enforcing the Mercantile Marine Act 1850
Source: An
Act for improving the Condition of Masters, Mates, and Seamen, and maintaining
Discipline in the Merchant Service; General Public Statutes; 13th
and 14th year Victoria; 1850; Cap. 93
|
|
[14th
August 1850.] |
That this Act may
be cited as the “The Mercantile Marine Act, 1850…”
104. And be it
enacted, That whenever the “Board of Trade” has Reason to apprehend that any
serious Accident occasioning Loss of Life or Property has been sustained or
caused by or has happened on board of any “Ship,” or that any “Ship” has been
lost or has received material Damage, or that any of the Provisions of this Act
or of any other Act relating to Merchant “Ships” or Merchant Sailors are so
grossly neglected or disobeyed as to require special Investigation, it may
appoint the local Examiners or any other proper Person or Persons as special
Inspector or Inspectors to inquire into and to report thereupon; and every
Person so authorized may at all reasonable Times, upon producing his Authority
(if required), go on board and inspect any “Ship” the Inspection of which
appears to him requisite for the Purpose of the Investigation, and every Part
thereof, not detaining the “Ship” from proceeding on her Voyage, and enter and
inspect any Premises the Entry or Inspection of which appears to him requisite
for the same Purpose, and may make such Inquiries in the Matter as he may think
fit.
N.B. The term ‘Board of Trade’ also covered local marine
boards. The word ‘may’ in this section is highly
pertinent, especially in cases of gross neglect of the protections supposedly
afforded merchant mariners.