About

The Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) is an accident investigation body established by the Merchant Shipping (Accident and Incident Safety Investigation) Regulations, 2011.  In its organisation and decision-making process, the MSIU is independent from the policy maker, the regulator, and any other party whose interests could conflict with the tasks entrusted to it.  Its safety investigations are conducted in accordance with the provisions prescribed in these regulations.  The MSIU does not investigate to apportion blame and / or determine civil / criminal liabilities.

The MSIU has significant authority to investigate maritime accidents and incidents, and no entity other than the MSIU may commence a safety investigation into a maritime accident or incident. The Unit has the legal mandate to investigate accidents and incidents involving Maltese-registered ships anywhere in the world, and foreign flagged ships operating in Maltese waters. Masters, ship operators, ship managers, ship owners and their agents, and Transport Malta (TM) have a legal obligation to report accidents and incidents, as soon as practicable, to the MSIU. The MSIU contributes to maritime safety by conducting safety investigations into accidents and incidents, and by participating in safety studies and academic research.

A typical safety investigation would generally take about 12 months to complete, although this would depend on the accident dynamics and its complexity. Safety investigation reports compiled by the MSIU are published after the safety investigation process has been completed. Most of the collected accident data, its analysis and the safety investigation reports are neither intended to be admitted in a court of law, nor to be used in criminal and civil proceedings. The only scope remains the dissemination of safety lessons and the prevention of similar future accidents and incidents.

Malta is an active member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.  The MSIU has an active role, and the Head of Marine Safety Investigation is a member of the Maltese delegation at the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III).  The MSIU is also a member of the European Commission’s Permanent Co-operation Framework, the Marine Accident Investigators International Forum, and the European Maritime Accident Investigators International Forum.