The Merchant Shipping (Section 52 Inquiries) Rules 1982

6.—(1) At the time and the place appointed for holding the inquiry the person appointed may proceed with the inquiry whether the party upon whom the notice of the inquiry was served, any other party, any person who has applied to become a party, or any of them, are present or not:

provided that where the officer 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 officer has been served in accordance with the requirements of rule 4(1).

(2) Any other person, not being the officer 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 properly 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.