Chapter:	548C	Title:	MERCHANT SHIPPING (LOCAL VESSELS) (CONDUCT OF INQUIRIES) RULES	Gazette Number:	L.N. 271 of 2001; L.N. 282 of 2006
Rule:	6	Heading:	Holding of inquiry	Version Date:	02/01/2007

(1) At the time and the place fixed for holding the inquiry the person appointed may proceed with the inquiry whether the party upon whom the notice of inquiry was served, any other party, any person who has applied to become a party to the inquiry, or any of them, are present or not:
Provided that where the prescribed person concerned has been served with the notice of inquiry by post the person appointed shall not proceed with the inquiry in his absence unless satisfied that the prescribed person has been served in accordance with the requirements of rule 4(1) and (2).
(2) Any other person, not being the prescribed person concerned, may, with the leave of the person appointed, become a party to the inquiry.
(3) The inquiry shall be held in public save to the extent to which the person appointed is satisfied that in the interests of justice, or for other good and sufficient reason in the public interest, any part of the evidence or any argument relating thereto should be heard in private.