8. Without prejudice to any powers conferred upon him under this Act or by or under any law for the time being in force the Deputy Conservator of a port shall have power to order the master of any vessel in port other than a tanker-(a) to place at his disposal such proportion, not exceeding three quarters, of the crew of the vessel as the Deputy Conservator requires for the purpose of preventing or extinguishing an outbreak of fire in the port; (b) to take such steps as he may direct to extinguish any fire in his vessel.In this section “Deputy Conservator” means the person who is for the time being discharging the duties of Deputy Conservator of the port.