8. Coast Guard officers’ Right to visit and inspect a vessel

A Coast Guard officer may, when necessary for the performance of his duties—

direct the shipmaster or other person commanding a vessel to produce the ships official papers which are required to be kept aboard;

stop, visit and inspect the vessel for the purpose of ascertaining her identity, port of registry, name of the ship master, last port or place of departure, port or place of destination or nature of the cargo ; or

question the crew and passengers on matters necessary for the performance of his duties.