About Us

The Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU) has been established on 01 January 2026, under Section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025, to fulfil Irelands’ statutory obligations under Directive 2009/18/EC and under Chapters I/21 & XI-1/6 of SOLAS.

The legislative framework for the operation of the MAIU, the reporting and investigating of marine casualties and the powers of MAIU investigators, are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025.

The MAIU is led by Chief Investigator, David O’Driscoll, and it will conduct marine safety investigations into accidents involving vessels in Irish waters and Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world. It is not the purpose of a marine safety investigation to attribute fault or blame. The purpose of the marine safety investigation is to establish the cause of a marine accident that it investigates and make safety recommendations.

The MAIU is independent in its operations and function from any officer of the Minister whose decision-making relates to maritime functions as set out in length in Section 10(3) of the Act. The Minister shall publish a policy referred to as the ‘conflicts of interest policy’ whose purpose is to ensure the independence of the MAIU and the independence and impartiality of investigators.

The Act defines what a marine accident is, sets out the purpose of investigations, lays down the requirement for reporting a marine casualty, sets out when and how investigations are to be conducted, sets out the powers of the MAIU investigators when carrying out their investigation and indicates the timeframe to be adhered to in the investigation of marine casualties.

The Act also provides for the dissolution of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) and sets out Transitional investigation provisions whereby any ongoing investigation will continue to be dealt with and determined by the MCIB investigator concerned or an MAIU investigator, pursuant to the relevant statutory provisions and modifications.

Details about the MAIU can be found on our website at: www.maiu.gov.ie and any query can be addressed to info@maiu.gov.ie

Notifications of marine accidents should be directed to the Investigator-on-call by telephone on +353 1 676 8139. This telephone is monitored 24 hours/day.

Notifications that are made to the MCIB after 31 December 2025 will not constitute notifications under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025. If in doubt, please contact the MAIU by email: info@maiu.gov.ie or by telephone +353 1 604 0578 during normal business hours.

About the MCIB

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established on 5 June, 2002 under Section 7(1) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000 and operated until the establishment of the Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU).

The legislative framework for the operation of the MCIB, the reporting and investigating of marine casualties and the powers of MCIB investigators, are set out in the Act of 2000 and  the European Communities (Merchant Shipping) (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations 2011.

The 2000 Act defines what a marine casualty is, sets out the purpose of investigations, lays down the requirement for reporting a marine casualty, sets out when and how investigations are to be conducted, sets out the powers of the MCIB investigators when carrying out their investigation and indicates the timeframe to be adhered to in the investigation of marine casualties. In carrying out its functions the MCIB complies with the provisions of the International Maritime Organisation’s Casualty Investigation Code and EU Directive 2009/18/EC governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector. All Board members are engaged on a part-time basis.

The MCIB was an independent body with its own funding provided for by the Oireachtas under Section 19 of the Act.  The MCIB is independent of the Minister for Transport in the performance of its functions and, in general, shall be independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.