The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its Annual Report for 2024. The report covers statistics on accidents involving UK ships, seafarers, and foreign vessels in UK waters.
In 2024, the MAIB received 1,515 reports involving 1,633 vessels. They commenced 15 investigations, seven of which involved fatalities. The branch published 20 reports and four safety bulletins, resulting in 74 recommendations with an acceptance rate of 85%.
Chief Inspector Andrew Moll commented on merchant ship safety, stating, “Significant collisions and groundings show no sign of reducing.” He highlighted a recent fatal collision attributed to poor watchkeeping practices. Moll noted a need to rethink the role of human watchkeepers in the digital era.
Regarding fishing vessels, the MAIB initiated three investigations and one preliminary assessment into flooding incidents, which fortunately did not result in deaths. Moll remarked, “Raising the alarm early can save lives,” emphasising the importance of effective emergency practices.
The report indicates that two fatalities among fishing crew members occurred in 2024, matching the lowest record in the last decade. Moll noted these deaths were linked to unsafe working systems on well-crewed vessels.
The complete report can be found on the MAIB website here
