417. (1) Where in any case it appears to the Government that a judicial inquiry should be held respecting a shipping casualty, whether a preliminary inquiry under section 416 respecting it has been held or not, it may direct an officer to make an application to a Court empowered under sub section (2) to make a judicial inquiry into such casualty and upon the making of such application, the Court shall make such inquiry. (2) Magistrates of the first class specially empowered by the Government shall have jurisdiction to make judicial inquiries into shipping casualties under this Chapter.