A party desiring to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice of not less than fifteen days in writing to the board of pilotage commissioners and all parties. The notice shall state the time and place for taking the deposition, the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, and if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to identify him or the particular class or group to which he belongs. If the parties so stipulate in writing, depositions may be taken before any person, at any time or place, upon any notice, and in any manner and when so taken may be used as other depositions.