Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Marine Casualty Reports from the MCIB
Portaferry and Newcastle RNLI crews from Portaferry and Newcastle work with Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 to rescue the crew of the grounded fishing boat at Ardglass last October
The latest Marine Notice from Department of Transport highlights the importance of planning seagoing voyages, especially those involved in fishing. It follows a recommendation from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) this summer in its report on the sinking of a…
The lake boat involved in the incident.
An angler who drowned in Lough Mask in Co Mayo over a year ago was not wearing a lifejacket, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has found. A report by the MCIB published yesterday (Tues, September 1) has been unable…
Independence of Marine Casualty Investigation Board 'Not Guaranteed', European Court of Justice Rules
The European Court of Justice has ruled the State’s marine incident investigating body is not independent due to the presence of two civil servants on its board. In a judgment issued late last week, the European Court of Justice (ECJ)…
Gangway on MFV Olgarry to shore in Killybegs, which was the subject of a recent MCIB investigation
The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport reminds fishing crews of the dangers associated with boarding and transiting across vessels, especially under the influence of alcohol. The move is in response to recent reports from…
The Gangway from shore to 'MFV Olgarry'
The Minister for Transport has been urged to remind fishing crews of the dangers involved in boarding vessels under the influence of alcohol, following reports issued this week of two separate fatalities in ports. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB)…
The Canadian canoe
A lone kayaker who died on Sligo’s Lough Gill last year may have become separated from his Canadian canoe in bad weather, an investigation has found. A Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the incident on January 29th, 2019,…
The Suzanne II caught fire about 29 miles east of Arklow
An investigation into a fire and sinking of a fishing vessel in the Irish Sea last year has found that its fire detection system failed to work, even though it had been surveyed only ten months beforehand writes Lorna Siggins Three…
A fishing vessel in Howth Harbour
In response to Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) recommendations, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) has issued a Marine Notice to remind masters, owners, users, charterers, skippers and crew of fishing vessels of previous safety advice and requirements.…
The smashed in the bow of the 37m  (121 ft) French vessel, Kirrixki after it collided with a 229m  (751ft) cargo ship
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has confirmed that it is liaising with several flag states over a collision off the Kerry coast last weekend writes Lorna Siggins One fisherman was injured in the massive impact, which smashed in the bow…
The hull of the FV Aisling Patrick washed ashore in western Scotland on 28 May 2018, from the MCIB report
New Marine Notices from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) remind skippers and crew of small fishing vessels of the requirements set out in the relevant Code of Practice, following the official maritime reports into two fatal incidents…
The Kayak involved in the accident
An inquiry into the death of an experienced kayaker on a Kerry river last year has found that the lack of communication at the scene delayed call to the emergency services writes Lorna Siggins Brita Waters (36) from Baldoyle, Dublin,…
The vessel on slipway at Cleggan with name and fishing number on board on port side of wheelhouse
An investigation into the death of a man in a small boat sinking off Connemara last year has found that he had purchased substantial safety equipment, almost none of which was on board at the time of the fatal incident writes…
The weir where the capsize occurred on the river Suir in Cahir, Co Tipperary
The State’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has been unable to identify the precise circumstances which led to the death of an experienced canoeist on the river Suir in Cahir, Co Tipperary in November, 2017 writes Lorna Siggins. However, next…
New Bill Would Mandate That MCIB Members Have Relevant Marine Accident Experience
A new bill before the Dáil seeks to amend the “bizarre circumstances” that mean there is no legal obligation for members of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) to have relevant marine accident experience. As TheJournal.ie reports, the Merchant Shipping…
Coast Guard volunteer, the late Caitríona Lucas
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has today published its report into the marine incident on 12th September 2016 which led to the Coast Guard volunteer, Caitríona Lucas, tragically losing her life. Minister Ross said: “I wish to again express my…
Marine Casualty Investigation Board Invites Applications for Investigators
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board invites applications for inclusion on a panel of suitably qualified investigators to carry out contracted marine casualty investigations on behalf of the Board. To obtain additional information, interested persons should use any one of the…