The board of pilotage commissioners on the occasion of any marine disaster to any vessel in charge of a licensed pilot shall make a careful examination of the cause of such disaster, by immediately summoning before it the pilot in charge of the vessel and obtaining such testimony as may be in its power. The result of such investigation shall be placed upon record, copies of which shall be furnished, when desired, at the expense of the applicant. The marine reports of the daily papers, or private information, shall be deemed sufficient cause for such investigation by the board of commissioners.