# The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999, Regulation 7: Preservation of evidence


(1) The master, owner and any other relevant person or corporate body shall so far as is practicable ensure that all charts, log books, voyage data and other records, electronic and magnetic recording and video tapes and all documents which might reasonably be considered pertinent to an accident reportable under regulation 5 are kept and that no alteration is made to recordings or entries therein, and that any equipment which might reasonably be considered pertinent to the investigation of the accident is so far as practicable left undisturbed, until:
(a) notification is received from the Chief Inspector that no investigation is to take place; or
(b) unless notified of a decision to investigate, 28 days after receipt by the Chief Inspector of a report referred to in regulation 6(1) or the information referred to in regulation 6(2); or
(c) the Chief Inspector or the Inspector carrying out the investigation indicates that he no longer requires them.
(2) An inspector may prohibit, pending investigation, access or interference with any ship, ship’s boat or other equipment involved in an accident.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2567/regulation/7 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-accident-reporting-and-investigation-regulations-1999/regulation-7
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.