(1)
If the Central Government has reason to believe that there are grounds for charging any master, mate or engineer with incompetency or misconduct, otherwise than in the course of a formal investigation into shipping casualty, the Central Government,-
(a) if the master, mate or engineer holds a certificate under this Act, in any case;
(b) if the master, mate or engineer holds a certificate under the law of any country outside India, in any case where the incompetency or misconduct has occurred on board an Indian ship;
(2)
Before commencing the inquiry, the Court shall cause the master, mate or engineer so charged to be furnished with a copy of the statement transmitted by the Central Government.