(1) Subject to sub-section (1) where

(a) any person dies in a Ghanaian ship; or

(b) the master or a seafarer employed in such a ship dies in a country outside Ghana, an inquiry into the cause of death shall be held by an officer of the Authority designated by the Director-General for the purpose.

(2) The officer holding an inquiry under subsection (1) shall for the purpose of the inquiry have all the powers of a surveyor under the Act.

(3) Where in the course of the inquiry it appears to the officer holding the inquiry that the death has been caused on board the ship by violence or other improper means, the officer shall either report the matter to the Director-General, or if the emergency of the case so requires, shall take immediate steps to bring the offender to justice.

(4) The officer holding the inquiry under subsection (1) shall make a report of the findings to the Director-General and the Director-General shall, on request, make a copy of the report available to the next of kin of the deceased person or to any other person who appears to the Director-General to be interested.

(5) An inquiry shall not be held under subsection (1) in a case where an inquest or inquiry into death is to be held or made under any law relating to inquest or criminal procedure for the time being in force.