New York Consolidated Laws, Navigation Law - NAV § 13. Inspector; duties

The inspector shall annually, and at such other times as he shall deem it expedient, or as the commissioner may direct, inspect every public vessel, except vessels which navigate on waters over which the United States exercises active control. The inspector shall carefully examine the hull, the propelling and auxiliary machinery, the electrical apparatus and the vessel's equipment. He shall require such changes, repairs and improvements to be made as he may deem expedient for the contemplated route. No vessel, or propelling machinery thereof shall be allowed to be used if constructed in whole, or in part, of defective material, or which because of its form, design, workmanship, age, use or for any other reason is unsafe. He shall also fix the number of passengers that may be transported. The inspector shall require that the boilers, on all public vessels which are propelled by steam engines, be inspected and approved for safety of operations by inspectors of the New York State Department of Labor, Bureau of Boilers. Every boiler and appurtenances thereof shall be constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with the Department of Labor rules and regulations pertaining to boilers. The inspector shall also, whenever he deems it expedient, visit any vessel licensed under this chapter and examine into her condition for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any party thereon, having a certificate, or license, from the inspector, has conformed to and obeyed the conditions of such certificate, and the provisions of this chapter. The owner, master, pilot, engineer or joint pilot and engineer of such vessel, shall answer all reasonable questions and give all the information in his or their power in regard to said vessel, or its machinery or equipment and the manner of managing the same. The inspector provided for in this chapter is authorized to make further rules and regulations applying generally to all vessels, or especially to one or more of them. In framing rules for the government of managers and employees on vessels, the inspector shall, as far as practicable, be governed by the general rules and regulations prescribed by the United States coast guard. The inspector shall have the power to issue a uniform navigation summons and/or complaint for violations of the provisions of article four of this chapter which are applicable to vessels.