Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951) > Chapter VI : Special Shipping Enquiries and Courts of Enquiry and Courts of Survey > 272. How decisions of maritime courts are reached and announced

(1)	The decision of the majority of the members of a maritime court shall, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of section two hundred and seventy-three, be the decision of the court.

(2)	The decision of the court shall be declared by one of the members concurring in that decision, and the reasons therefor shall be stated by at least one such member. Any member who dissents from the decision of the court may declare his dissent and his reasons therefor.

(3)

If for any reason a majority of the members of the court (or, if the court consists of only two members, both members) are not agreed upon any matter upon which a decision is necessary in order that the investigation may be completed, the presiding officer, if he is the proper officer, shall discharge the members of the court, and, if he thinks fit, he may summon another maritime court to hold the investigation, or, if he is not the proper officer, he shall report the fact to the proper officer, and thereupon the proper officer may refer the matter back to the court for reconsideration or may discharge the members of the court, and, if he thinks fit, summon another maritime court to hold the investigation.