[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR4.07-1]

[Page 51]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 4_MARINE CASUALTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart 4.07_Investigations
 
Sec. 4.07-1  Commandant or District Commander to order investigation.


    (a) The Commandant or District Commander upon receipt of information 
of a marine casualty or accident, will immediately cause such 
investigation as may be necessary in accordance with the regulations in 
this part.
    (b) The investigations of marine casualties and accidents and the 
determinations made are for the purpose of taking appropriate measures 
for promoting safety of life and property at sea, and are not intended 
to fix civil or criminal responsibility.
    (c) The investigation will determine as closely as possible:
    (1) The cause of the accident;
    (2) Whether there is evidence that any failure of material (either 
physical or design) was involved or contributed to the casualty, so that 
proper recommendations for the prevention of the recurrence of similar 
casualties may be made;
    (3) Whether there is evidence that any act of misconduct, 
inattention to duty, negligence or willful violation of the law on the 
part of any licensed or certificated person contributed to the casualty, 
so that appropriate proceedings against the license or certificate of 
such person may be recommended and taken under 46 U.S.C. 6301;
    (4) Whether there is evidence that any Coast Guard personnel or any 
representative or employee of any other government agency or any other 
person caused or contributed to the cause of the casualty; or,
    (5) Whether the accident shall be further investigated by a Marine 
Board of Investigation in accordance with regulations in subpart 4.09.

[CGD 74-119, 39 FR 33317, Sept. 17, 1974, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 
FR 51041, Sept. 30, 1997]