New unit to investigate marine accidents established

Ottoline Spearman

A new Marine Accident Investigation Unit has been set up within the Department of Transport, Minister Darragh O’Brien announced on Friday.

The new unit (MAIU) will carry out marine safety investigations into accidents involving vessels in Irish waters, and Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world.

The unit will replace the Marine Casualty Investigation Board - a part-time body - and will take over existing investigations.

The MAIU is led by Chief Investigator David O’Driscoll and its establishment means that Ireland now has a permanent body to for marine accidents, mirroring existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations.

“The establishment of the MAIU marks a significant step forward in strengthening Ireland’s maritime safety framework," Mr O'Brien said. "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."

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.