Ireland establishes new marine accident investigation agency

Establishment of the MAIU means that Ireland will now have a body staffed with a full-time, permanent team of investigators for marine accidents. The DOT said this is in line with best practice internationally, and mirrors existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations in the state.

This new unit has been established under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025, which 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.