Section 256: Radio rules

(1)
The Minister may make rules (in this Act referred to as "Radio rules") requiring ships to which this section applies to-
(a)
be provided with radio installation, other than a radio navigational aid, of such a nature as may be prescribed by the rules; and
(b)
maintain such a radio service and to carry such number of radio officers or operators, of such grades and possessing such qualifications, as may be so prescribed, and the rules may contain provisions for preventing, as far as is practicable, electrical interference with the radio installation by other apparatus on board.
(2)
This section applies to-
(a)
a sea-going Nigerian ship; and
(b)
any other sea-going ship while it is within any port in Nigeria.
(3)
The radio rules shall include such requirements as appear to the Minister necessary to implement the provisions of the Safety Convention relating to radio communications.
(4)
A radio surveyor may inspect any ship for the purpose of seeing that the ship is properly provided with a radio installation and radio officers or operators in conformity with the radio rules, and for that purpose shall have all the powers of an inspector under this Act; and, if the radio surveyor finds that the ship is not provided with a radio installation or radio officers or operators in conformity with the radio rules, he shall give to the owner or master, notice in writing pointing out the deficiency and pointing out what in his opinion is requisite to remedy the deficiency.
(5)
A notice given under subsection (4) of this section shall be communicated in the manner directed by the Minister to the collector of customs, at any port at which the ship may seek to obtain a clearance, and the ship shall be detained by the collector of customs until a certificate under the hand of a radio surveyor is produced to the effect that the ship is properly provided with a radio installation and radio officers or operators in conformity with the radio rules.