Chapter IV. Procedure of Inquiry at the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency
Section 1. Proceedings prior to Inquiry
(Request of Offer for Commencement of Inquiry by Interested Person)
Article 21. A person who has an interest in a marine accident may request an offer for the commencement of inquiry to a Commissioner by revealing the fact of the said accident.
2. When an offer for the commencement in accordance with the request mentioned in paragraph 1, or the disposal of what is mentioned in Article 25 is or was made by a Commissioner, he shall notify it to the claimant.
(Handing of Report on a Marine Accident from a Consul)
Article 22. When a Commissioner of the Marine Accidents Inquiry Commissioner's Office receives a report of a marine accident from a consul, he shall forward it to the Commisioner of the Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Commissioner's Office located under jurisdiction of the competent Local Marine Accidents Inquiry Agency.
(Report of Answers and Questions, Investigation, Etc. Prepared by a Commissioner)
Article 23. When a Commissioner questions persons concerned in a marine accident or when he investigates vessels or other places, he shall prepare a report of answers and questions or investigation, and read it to the persons questioned or the manager of the vessels or other places investigated, and then shall sign and seal it jointly with these persons. However, when the persons questioned or the manager of the vessels or other places can not sign and seal the report, the Commissioner shall sign and seal it with describing reasons therefor.
2. When a Commissioner caused others to give expert opinion or to translate, he shall cause them to prepare document of such expert opinion or translation.
(Commisioner's Identification Card)
Article 24. The identification card which a Commissioner shall carry with him when he makes an investigation on vessels or other places shall be as provided for in the attached table.
(Disposition not to Inquire)
Article 25. When a case which is unnecessary to submit to the inquiry is recognized as a result of investigation, a Commissioner shall make a decision of disposition for it not to be inquired.
