Marine Accident Investigation Branch (Hansard, 9 December 1991)

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to review the work of the marine accident investigation branch of his Department with a view to strengthening its powers to include the initiation of prosecutions against those who break maritime laws.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
Although the marine accident investigation branch has no powers to prosecute, it can and does recommend to the Department's marine directorate that legal proceedings should be instituted if such a course of action is practicable and warranted.
As the regulatory body it is proper that the initiation of prosecution proceedings should be exercised by the marine directorate and not by the MAIB.

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he proposes to make in the running of the marine accident investigation branch of his Department following the accidents involving the Wilhelmina J and the Zulfikar; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
No changes to the marine accident investigation branch inquiry procedures are necessary following the Wilhelmina J/Zulfikar accident. Administrative procedures concerning the general release of information gained from an investigation are, however, under review and if, as a result, changes in statutory provisions are required, these will be made and placed before Parliament.

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the work, powers and responsibilities of the marine accident investigation branch of his Department.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
The work of the marine accident investigation branch is largely governed by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1989. The powers of inspectors, which are wide, are set out in section 27 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979. The principal responsibility of the branch is to investigate marine accidents to determine their circumstances and causes with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in the future. The chief inspector of marine accidents is required under the Accident Investigation Regulations to publish from time to time collective summaries of investigations and, where an inspectors' inquiry has taken place, to make a report to the Secretary of State.