Have your say on changes to UK Merchant Shipping Accident and Report Regulations
3 September 2025
Nautilus members, other maritime professionals and interested parties have been invited to take part in a consultation on revoking and replacing the UK Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012.
The six-week public consultation closes on 17 September.
It is intended to provide greater clarity and consistency for both the maritime industry and relevant authorities, with the aim of updating regulations to streamline investigative procedures, modernise terminology, and enhance reporting obligations.
Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents at the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), said: 'The MAIB regularly reviews its enabling legislation to ensure the UK’s commitment to safety at sea, to reflect changing international and national requirements and obligations, and to reflect lessons from operational experience. The MAIB welcomes views on these regulations through the consultation period.'
Why are changes needed?
According to the MAIB, the UK Merchant Shipping Act should be amended to:
- improve compliance with the UK’s treaty obligations and align more fully with the international expectations and obligations contained in the IMO Code
- simplify and clarify the 2012 Regulations to improve understanding and compliance
- reflect policy development arising from operational experience
- remove some requirements that arose from implementation of European Directive 2009/18/EC (the EU’s Accident Investigation Directive), and revoke EU Regulation 1286/2011 (the Common Methodology)
- add criminal offences and penalties to existing requirements where they were previously missing
Changes are aimed to align the UK regulatory framework more closely with international maritime standards and best practices for improved transparency, accountability, and safety outcomes across the sector. This reflects the United Kingdom’s obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS),1974, as amended, to comply with the Code of the International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident (the IMO Code).
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