Question 3054 Deck General

The correct answer is B) U.S. Coast Guard officials. After a vessel has been involved in a casualty, the U.S. Coast Guard has the authority to investigate the incident. As part of this investigation, Coast Guard officials have the right to review the vessel's logbooks, bell books, and other relevant records to gather information about the circumstances surrounding the casualty. This is a requirement under Coast Guard regulations, as the agency is responsible for overseeing maritime safety and investigating incidents that may involve violations of regulations or contribute to future safety concerns. The other options, while potentially involved in the aftermath of a casualty, do not have the same level of regulatory authority to demand access to the vessel's records. Attorneys for opposing parties may seek to review the records through legal proceedings, and marine surveyors may examine the records as part of their investigation, but they do not have the same direct requirement as Coast Guard officials.