Cork coastal accidents will now be probed by new marine board

A new Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU) has been established within the Department of Transport.

The MAIU will carry out marine safety investigations into accidents involving vessels in Irish waters, including in the Cork area, and Irish flagged vessels anywhere in the world.

The new unit replaces the Marine Casualty Investigation Board as the permanent body responsible for marine accident investigations and will take over ongoing investigations.

Led by chief investigator David O’Driscoll, the new MAIU unit means that Ireland will now have a body staffed with a full time, permanent team of investigators for marine accidents.

Minister for transport Darragh O’Brien said that the establishment of the MAIU is significant step forward in strengthening Ireland’s maritime safety framework.

“This dedicated unit will ensure that marine accident investigations continue to be carried out to the highest standards to help prevent similar accidents occurring in future.

“I would like to thank the MCIB, its board, its investigators, and its staff members for the valuable work they carried out during their tenure. The new unit will build on the important contribution they have made.” 

Minister of state with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Seán Canney added:

“The enactment of the legislation that allowed for the establishment of the MAIU is a commitment in the programme for government and shows our focus on enhancing Ireland’s maritime safety regime, particularly in marine accident investigation.” 

The new unit is established under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) act 2025. The act also dissolves the MCIB, repeals the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, and revokes the European Communities (Merchant Shipping) (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations 2011.

Notifications of occurrences of marine accidents should be directed to the MAIU by email to info@maiu.gov.ie or by telephone to +353 1 6768139 Further information is available on the MAIU website: www.maiu.gov.ie