Section 373: Examination in respect of ship in distress

(1)
Where any Nigerian ship is or has been in distress on the coast of Nigeria, the Receiver of Wreck, or in the absence of the Receiver of Wreck, a magistrate, shall, as soon as possible, examine on oath any person belonging to the ship, or any other person who may be able to give any account thereof or of the cargo or stores
thereof, as to any of the following matters-
(a)
the name and description of the ship;
(b)
the name of the master and of the owners;
(c)
the names of the owners of the cargo;
(d)
the ports from and to which the ship was bound;
(e)
the occasion of the distress of the ship;
(f)
the services rendered; and
(g)
such other matters or circumstances relating to the ship, or to the cargo on board the same, as the person holding the examination thinks necessary.
(2)
The person holding the examination shall take it down in writing and shall send two copies to the Minister and the Minister shall cause one copy to be displayed in some conspicuous position for public inspection, and shall publish so much of the result of the examination as he thinks fit in the Gazette.
(3)
The person holding an examination under this section shall have all the powers of an inspector; and for the avoidance of doubt, the power to examine on oath shall include the powers to administer an oath.