Section 17
[ll In hearing an appeal, the following procedure shall be followed-
of Mechant Shipping (Disciplinary Offences) Regulations, 2007
{a)
the seaman shall, if he so requests, be permitted at the hearing to be accompanied by any person for the purpose of advising him and that person may speak on behalf of the seaman;
{b)
the seaman shall be given an opportunity to state the grounds of his appeal, to produce supporting evidence and to call witnesses to give evidence on his behalf;
{c)
subject to sub-regulation [2), the master shall be given an opportunity to call witnesses and to give evidence himself;
{d)
the evidence of any witness, whether called by the Director or otherwise, shall be heard in the presence of the seaman;
{e)
subject to sub-regulation (2), both the seaman and the master shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to question any witness on his evidence and to comment upon it; and
{f) the Director shall notify the seaman, and the master or employer, of his decision regarding the appeal and shall record the decision in the official log-book.
(2)
If the master is absent from the hearing of the appeal and the Director is satisfied that no injustice will result, the appeal may, notwithstanding sub-regulations (l){c) and {e), be heard and determined by the Director in the absence of the master.
337
Further arrangements for hearing of appeals.