With respect to the ongoing investigation into the al-Salam Boccaccio 98 ferry disaster in the Red Sea on 3 February 2006, IMO wishes to clarify the following. Soon after the accident, IMO responded to a request for assistance in the investigation of the casualty from both the Governments of Egypt and Panama, by making available two independent consultants to provide technical advice to the casualty investigation board established jointly by the two Governments. M. Jean-Charles Leclair, of France, was appointed to provide advice on procedures for casualty investigation under SOLAS regulation I/21 (Casualties) and IMO Resolutions A.849(20) and A.884(21) (respectively the Code for the Investigation of Marine Casualties and Incidents and amendments thereto)…