17.1 A marine safety investigation should be conducted
into marine casualties (other than very serious marine casualties
– which are addressed in chapter 6 of this Code) and marine
incidents, by the flag State of a ship involved, if it is considered
likely that a marine safety investigation will provide information
that can be used to prevent marine casualties and marine incidents
in the future.
17.2 Chapter 7 contains the mandatory requirements
for determining who the marine safety investigating State(s) are for
a marine casualty. Where the occurrence being investigated in accordance
with this chapter is a marine incident, chapter 7 should be followed
as a recommended practice as if it referred to marine incidents.