454. Powers of persons authorised to investigate, etc.- (1) Every judge, assessor, officer.or other person who is empowered by this Act to make an investigation or inquiry or to board, survey, inspect or detain a ship- (a) may go on board any ship and inspect the same or any part thereof, or any of the machinery, equipment or articles onboard thereof, or any certificates of the master or other officer to which provisions of this Act or any of the rules or regulations thereunder apply, not unnecessarily detaining or delaying the sip from proceeding on any voyage, and if in consequence of any accident to the ship or for any other reason t is considered necessary so to do, may require the ship to be taken into dock for the purpose of inspection survey; (b) may entered inspect any premises, the entry and inspection of which appears to be requisite for the purpose aforesaid; (c) may, by summons under his hand, require the attendance of all such persons as he thinks fit to call before him and examine them for the purpose aforesaid, and may require answer or return to any esquires he thinks fit to make; (d) may require and enforce the production of all relevant books, papers, or documents; (e) may administer oaths or may in lieu of requiring or administering an oath, require every person examined by him to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of the statement made by him in his examinations; and (f) may muster the crew of any such ship. (2) No person shall 'hinder or obstruct any officer or person refereed to in sub-section (1) from going on a board any ship or otherwise impede him in the execution of his duties or the exercise of his powers under this Act. Explanation.- In this section, "ship" includes vessel. | 
