Explanatory note

These Rules prescribe the procedure to be followed at any inquiry under section 63 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 into the fitness or conduct of a seaman other than an officer and at any re-hearing of such an inquiry which is not held by the High Court or Court of Session.

Notice of the inquiry must be served by the Secretary of State on the certificate holder concerned (rule 4(1)) and the inquiry is to be held in public (rule 6(3)). The person appointed to conduct the inquiry should be assisted by one or more assessors (rule 5(1)). He is required to announce his decision in public at the end of the inquiry or as soon as possible thereafter (rule 8(1)). Each assessor must either sign the report, with or without reservations, or state his dissent therefrom in writing (rule 8(2)).