Press release
Minister Ryan announces appointments to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB)
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, is pleased to announce the appointments of Mr John Carlton, Ms Deirdre Lane and Captain Phil Murphy as Board Members of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). The appointees are additions to the Board and provide a replacement to Frank Cronin, who ended his second term with the Board on 31 March 2023.
Commenting on the appointments and Frank Cronin’s departure, Minister Ryan said:
“The appointees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in several areas that are important to the continued operation of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. I want to thank them for giving their time and expertise to the important work the Board undertakes. I also wish to thank Frank for his dedication and commitment to the MCIB since his appointment in 2017. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.”
The three appointments were made pursuant to a Public Appointments Service process.
John Carlton is the Port Services Manager at Shannon Foynes Port Company. He is responsible for managing all port services, port operations, marine operations, engineering and asset management, project management and the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) function of the company. He is a qualified marine engineer and has a broad range of marine engineering, general engineering, port operations, EHS management and senior executive management/corporate governance experience.
Deirdre Lane is the Harbour Master for Dunmore East. She is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the harbour, including the day-to-day management and maintenance of the harbour and its installations. She is a Master Mariner and holds a First Class Honours Degree in Nautical Science and an MSc in Shipping Operations with a specialist strand in Safety Management. She has also completed training in internal auditing and Marine Incident Investigation and Analysis.
Phil Murphy is the Senior Marine Officer at Wexford County Council. He is responsible for oversight and management responsibilities of all the piers, harbours and marinas in the County, including New Ross Port. He is a Master Mariner and also holds a Diploma in Nautical Studies and Port Management.
The function of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) is to examine and, if necessary, carry out investigations into all types of marine casualties to, or on board, Irish registered vessels worldwide and other vessels in Irish territorial waters and inland waterways.
The MCIB’s objective in investigating a marine casualty is to determine its circumstances and its causes with a view to making recommendations to the Minister for Transport and the commercial and recreational maritime community, for the avoidance of similar marine casualties in the future, thereby improving the safety of life at sea and on inland waterways.
The MCIB is a non-prosecutorial body which does not enforce laws or carry out prosecutions. It is not the purpose of an investigation carried out by the MCIB to apportion blame or fault.