Investigating accidents in the UK
Results of Investigations
What happens after the investigation? The inquiry sets out to find the cause of the accident and, as a
secondary aim, to discipline any officers whose conduct contributes
to the accident. This could extend to suspending their certificate
of competency [definition].
Recommendations on ways to prevent such an accident happening again
are often made. However, the inquiry has no powers to impose
changes on shipowners or others: only Parliament has that power, by
changing the law. Not surprisingly, progress in bringing about changes recommended
by inquiries has tended to be slow. It requires the government of
the day to be convinced that changes are needed, and to find
Parliamentary time for new legislation. However, the publicity
surrounding major disasters, like the Titanic, has often spurred on
improvements. What happens today? Investigations of accidents to British ships and to those on
board continue to be carried out on the same principles laid down
150 years ago. The major difference is that, as well as accidents,
investigations can also be held into hazardous incidents which
might have led to an accident. The Marine Accident Investigation
Branch, part of the Department for Transport, now carries out
investigations. The investigators are usually experienced ships
officers, marine engineers or naval architects. Who carries out the inquiry into an accident at sea has changed
over the last 150 years. However, the principle remains the same:
investigate the incident thoroughly to find what went wrong,
discipline any officers at fault and, above all, learn lessons from
what happened.
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