(1) Before examination, every witness shall be informed in the following terms which shall be recorded in the minutes:- “You are privileged to refuse to answer any question, the answer to which may tend to expose you any penalty or forfeiture. It will be for you to raise the objection and for the board to decide whether you must answer the question or not.”
(2) No one charged with any offence shall be bound to make any statement or answer any questions.
(3) The Board may be re-assembled as often and with such charges in its composition as the convening authority may direct for the purpose of examining additional witness or further examining any witness, or recording further information.
(4) A Board shall unless otherwise ordered, sit with closed doors.
(5) Except where a board is ordered to inquire into the propriety of a punishment of regulation to a lower rank awarded to a Chief Petty Officer or Petty Officer, in a case where such Chief Petty Officer or Petty Officer had elected trial by courtmartial and due to the exigencies of the service, the Commanding Officer had exercised his powers under the regulations nevertheless to try the Chief Petty Officer or Petty Officer as the case may be summarily, no person shall be present in the character of a prosecutor nor any friend or professional adviser be allowed to assist any person concerned in the inquiry.
(6) If the inquiry should have reference to the loss or hazarding a ship, the course directed by regulation 183 shall be adopted mutates mutatis.