46 C.F.R. § 4.40-10 – Preliminary investigation by the Coast Guard.

(a) The Coast Guard conducts the preliminary investigation of marine casualties.
(b) The Commandant determines from the preliminary investigation whether:
1. (1) The casualty is a major marine casualty; or
2. (2) The casualty involves a public and a non-public vessel and at least one fatality or $75,000 in property damage; or
3. (3) The casualty involves a Coast Guard and a non-public vessel and at least one fatality or $75,000 in property damage; or
4. (4) The casualty is a major marine casualty which involves significant safety issues relating to Coast Guard safety functions, e.g., search and rescue, aids to navigation, vessel traffic systems, commercial vessel safety, etc.
(c) The Commandant notifies the Board of a casualty described in paragraph (b) of this section.

[CGD 76-149, 42 FR 61200, Dec. 1, 1977, as amended by CGD 82-034, 47 FR 45882, Oct. 14, 1982]