Minister O’Brien announces establishment of the Marine Accident Investigation Unit
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From: Department of Transport
- Published on: 2 January 2026
- Last updated on: 2 January 2026
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has announced the establishment of the Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU) within the Department of Transport. From 1 January 2026, the MAIU replaces the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) as the permanent body responsible for marine accident investigations. The MAIU will take over ongoing MCIB investigations.
The MAIU is led by Chief Investigator David O’Driscoll. It will carry out marine safety investigations into accidents involving vessels in Irish waters, and Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world. Establishment of the MAIU means that Ireland will now have a body staffed with a full-time, permanent team of investigators for marine accidents. This is in line with best practice internationally, and mirrors existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations in the State.
“The establishment of the MAIU marks a 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 for Transport, Darragh O'Brien
“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.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney
This 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.
Note to Editors
Marine Casualty Investigation Board
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was the independent body established under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 to investigate marine casualties and publish reports of such investigations.
In 2021, an independent review to assess Ireland’s marine casualty investigation organisational structures was carried out. The review’s Report recommends that marine casualty investigation in Ireland should transition from the current part-time set-up (as regards the use of a panel of investigators) to a full-time approach.
Marine Accident Investigation Unit
The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025 provides for the establishment of the MAIU which became the designated marine accident investigation authority in the State on 1 January 2026. The 2025 Act provides the statutory regime for marine accident investigation in line with EU obligations and domestic priorities.
The MAIU is led by David O’Driscoll, the Chief Investigator, and will be staffed with a full-time permanent team of investigators. The purpose of marine accident investigations by the MAIU is to investigate the cause or causes of a marine accident and to issue safety recommendations for the avoidance of future marine accidents.
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