Western Australian Consolidated Acts Western Australian Consolidated Acts (1) A Court of
Marine Inquiry is authorised to and shall hold formal
investigations —
(a) into
casualties to commercial vessels;
(b) for
the purpose of hearing and determining a charge or charges of incompetence or
misconduct, or both, on the part of masters, mates, marine engineers, marine
engine drivers or coxswains of commercial vessels holding certificates of
competency or service in respect of incompetence or misconduct on any such
vessel,
referred to it or
preferred before it, as the case may be, under section 103.
(2) Where more than
one matter is referred to a Court of Marine Inquiry under section 103 for
formal investigation under subsection (1) and it appears to the Court
that any number of the matters arise out of or relate to the same incident or
a number of incidents in common, the Court may hold a formal investigation at
the one hearing into such of the matters referred and to such of the charges
preferred whether the charges have been preferred against one or more persons.
(3) An investigation
shall not be held under this section into a matter —
(a)
which has been the subject of an investigation or inquiry and has been
reported on by a competent court or tribunal in any part of a Commonwealth
country; or
(b) with
reference to which an investigation or inquiry has been commenced in the
United Kingdom.
(4) For the purposes
of any inquiry under this section a Court of Marine Inquiry shall, so far as
relates to the summoning of parties, compelling the attendance of witnesses,
and contempt of court, have all the powers of the Supreme Court.