(1) An officer in command of a ship to which he has been properly appointed shall not, except as hereinafter provided be removed from his command by any superior officer without the prior approval of the Director- General.
(2) Where the circumstances are such which render the removal of an officer from the command of a ship essentially necessary for the public service and are so urgent as not to permit to prior reference to the Director-General, the Inspector-General under whom the Commanding Officer is serving may direct the removal of the officer from command, reporting the circumstances immediately to the Director-General.
(3) Where a vacancy arises in command of a ship, the Inspector-General concerned may appoint a suitable officer to the command of such ship, reporting the circumstances to the Director-General.
(4) Any appointment made under sub-rules (2) and (3) shall be provisional until the final directions of the Director-General are obtained.