Press release
Investigation of Marine Accidents Bill to help address changing offshore services sector
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has today announced the publication of the Investigation of Marine Accidents Bill which will help pave the way for a new Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU).
The Bill provides for the establishment of the MAIU within the Department of Transport. It will replace the Marine Casualty Investigation Board as the permanent body responsible for marine accident investigation.
The focus of the Bill is to provide the MAIU with the framework to carry out marine safety investigations into marine accidents involving vessels in Irish waters and Irish-flagged vessels anywhere in the world.
The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 also provides for regulation-making power to cater for the newer types of vessels used in the offshore service sector and their transportation of industrial workers who will, for example, deploy infrastructure and service offshore renewable energy facilities.
Minister Ryan said:
“This Bill is about enhancing our maritime safety regime, particularly in terms of marine accident investigation, but also future-proofing for increased demands and complexities arising from the development of the offshore renewable energy sector.”
Notes
Marine Accident Investigation
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) is 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 undertaken. 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.
This in line with best practice internationally and would mirror existing practice in aviation and railway accident investigations in the State.
Offshore Service Vessels
Ireland is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach that target, the country must significantly increase the proportion of its energy needs that are fulfilled by renewable sources, including Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sources such as wind.
The development and operation of ORE projects involves many types of vessels, known as offshore service vessels.
The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 provides for regulation making power to cater for the newer types of vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on those vessels.