Section 454(1)(a) in The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
(a)may go on board any ship and inspect the same or any part thereof, or any of the machinery, equipment or articles on board thereof, or any certificates of the master or other officer to which the provisions of this Act or any of the rules or regulations thereunder apply, not unnecessarily detaining or delaying the ship from proceeding on any voyage, and if in consequence of any incident to the ship or for any other reason it is considered necessary so to do, may require the ship to be taken into dock for the purpose of inspection or survey;