The guidance provided in sections 1-4 of this appendix is
derived from MSC.1/Circ.1404. That
guidance was addressed to Member Governments and was originally developed
to provide guidance to investigators to assist in the investigation
of the crimes of piracy and armed robbery against ships. It is understood
that the master is not a professional crime scene investigator and
does not act in the capacity of a criminal law enforcement official
and that the guidance in sections 1-4 will likely only be applied
in limited and exceptional circumstances by masters who may be called
upon to collect evidence that may otherwise be lost if no action is
taken.