13.1 Subject to paragraphs 13.2 and 13.3, where
it is requested, the marine safety investigating State(s) shall send
a copy of a draft report to a substantially interested State to allow
the substantially interested State to make comment on the draft report.
13.2 Marine safety investigating State(s) are
only bound to comply with paragraph 13.1 where the substantially interested
State receiving the report guarantees not to circulate, nor cause
to circulate, publish or give access to the draft report, or any part
thereof, without the express consent of the marine safety investigating
State(s) or unless such reports or documents have already been published
by the marine safety investigating State(s).
13.3 The marine safety investigating State(s)
are not bound to comply with paragraph 13.1 if:
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.1 the marine safety investigating State(s) request
that the substantially interested State receiving the report to affirm
that evidence included in the draft report will not be admitted in
civil or criminal proceedings against a person who gave the evidence;
and
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.2 the substantially interested State refuses
to provide such an affirmation.
13.4 The marine safety investigating State(s)
shall invite the substantially interested States to submit their comments
on the draft report within 30 days or some other mutually agreed period.
The marine safety investigating State(s) shall consider the comments
before preparing the final report and where the acceptance or rejection
of the comments will have direct impact on the interests of the State
that submitted them, the marine safety investigating State(s) shall
notify the substantially interested State of the manner in which the
comments were addressed. If the marine safety investigating State(s)
receives no comments after the 30 days or the mutually agreed period
has expired, then it may proceed to finalize the report.
13.5 The marine safety investigating State(s)
shall seek to fully verify the accuracy and completeness of the draft
report by the most practical means.