The Bureau d'enquêtes sur les évènements de mer (French Marine Accident Investigation Office) was created in December, 1997. It is working independently of any governmental agencies responsible for safety at sea (standards and regulation, whether for merchant navy or fishing / leisure boats ). Its action exercises in accordance with follow-on regulations : In the international field with " Resolution A849/20 : Code for the investigation of marine casualties and incidents " adopted on November 27th, 1997 by the International Maritime Organization ; In the european field with " 1999/35/CE Directive " ; In the national field with " 3rd of January, 2002 Act on technical inquiries after sea event " and “26th of January, 2004 Decree on technical inquiries after sea event, accident or incident of surface transport”.