# The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999, Regulation 6: Ordering of investigation


(1) Any accident may be investigated and the Chief Inspector shall decide whether or not an investigation should be carried out and, where a report has been received under regulation 5(1) or 5(3)(b), shall cause the master or owner to be notified of a decision to investigate within 28 days of that accident report or the information referred to in paragraph (2) being received by him.
(2) Before making his decision whether or not to investigate an accident, the Chief Inspector may cause to be obtained such information as he considers necessary concerning the accident and any remedial action taken as a result, and the master or owner of the ship concerned and any other relevant person or corporate body shall provide such information to the best of their ability and knowledge.
(3) Where the Secretary of State causes a formal investigation into an accident to be held pursuant to section 268 of the Act, any investigation conducted under these Regulations relating to the accident shall be discontinued except for the purpose of rendering assistance to the Court and to the Attorney-General or the Secretary of State.
(4) An investigation may be carried out by one or more inspectors of marine accidents appointed under section 267(1) of the Act, or additionally or alternatively by such other person or persons as the Chief Inspector may appoint specifically for the purpose in circumstances where there are not inspectors appointed under the Act conveniently available or where such a person has special qualifications or experience. Such other person or persons shall have the powers conferred on an inspector by section 259 of the Act.
(5) Public notice that an investigation has been ordered may be given in such manner as the Chief Inspector may think fit, and may invite any persons who so desire to present useful evidence to the Inspector in such a manner and within such a time as is specified in the notice.
(6) The Secretary of State may require the Chief Inspector to investigate any accident or to expand the scope of an investigation into further consequences of an accident, including salvage and pollution aspects. In such circumstances the Chief Inspector may conduct an investigation into the further consequences of an accident which is completely separate and distinct from the investigation into the initial accident.
(7) Notwithstanding a decision by the Chief Inspector under paragraph (1) not to investigate an accident, he may at any subsequent time order an investigation if he is satisfied there is good reason to do so.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2567/regulation/6 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-accident-reporting-and-investigation-regulations-1999/regulation-6
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.