The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its Annual Report 2025, recording 1,585 accident reports to UK vessels worldwide or any vessels within UK coastal waters during 2025.
The MAIB started 16 new investigations in 2025 and published 17 accident investigation reports.
It also made 50 recommendations that were issued to 26 distinct addressees in 2025 of which 90% were accepted – a 5% increase on the previous year.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Rob Loder, said: “The reporting of marine casualties and incidents continues to increase year-on-year, although the growth of the reporting rate has slowed. The MAIB is aware that there can be a culture of under-reporting less serious marine incidents and near misses. I wish to issue a rallying call to all in the marine sector to contribute to future marine safety by reporting unsafe occurrences that they have encountered during marine operations. Data on seemingly inconsequential events can inform the bigger picture of risk and can literally provide the opportunity to save lives. A seafarer need not lose their life or a ship be lost to improve marine safety!
“The 90% acceptance of the recommendations made by the MAIB during 2025 (representing a 5% increase on the previous year) is heartening and is testament to the positive attitude to improving marine safety adopted by the majority of our stakeholders.”
Safety issues
Merchant vessels
- The standard of watchkeeping, lookout and the application of the collision regulations continue to be a concern on merchant ships.
- Further, effective use of safety management systems and the application of the International Safety Management Code provide the best opportunity to keep seafarers and vessels safe.
- A future challenge to marine safety manifested in the collision between the uncrewed surface vessel X18 and crew transfer vessel Iceni Legend in the North Sea in September 2025. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, but the accident is providing the opportunity to understand how a remotely controlled slow-moving vessel operates in the same sea space as a fast-moving vessel helmed by a human. There is a drive to automate, reduce manning and move to larger fully autonomous vessels. The MAIB recognises this is an important investigation that can inform vessel build and operation standards, seafarer training and how a human can understand what the robot might do (and vice versa).
Fishing vessels
- Safety folders are often present on fishing vessels but it is common to find that the safety procedures that are written are not used and the equipment that they describe, such as safety tethers, are not present.
- Although a personal flotation device (PFD) is sometimes worn, PFDs are often presented as a mitigation to preventing falls into water. They can also mitigate the effect of falling overboard, helping to keep the airway clear of the water and prevent drowning.
- The cold waters in the fishing grounds can claim a displaced fisher floating in their PFD – the best policy is to keep the fisher on board their vessel.
- Fatigue continues to plague the fishing industry, with two vessels grounded and lost during 2025. The drive to keep fishing is understandable in such a tough economic climate. Long days of fishing and night maintenance can take their toll and the risk of falling asleep on watch is ever present.
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