OpenConsultation consultationoutcome

Amending legislation ensuring watercraft accidents are investigated by MAIB

From:
Department for Transport and Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Published
3 February 2026
Last updated
2 April 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Draft Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) (Amendment) Order: consultation response summary and next steps

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Detail of outcome

We received 17 responses. We will incorporate the minor stylistic amendments raised during this consultation and will introduce this new legislation as soon as possible.

Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on amending legislation to ensure accidents involving watercraft are investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

This consultation closesran atfrom
to

Consultation description

Invites comment on amending the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023. The order is being amended to:

  • ensure accidents involving watercraft (any recreational vessel with a motor installed such as a personal watercraft) can be investigated by the MAIB
  • correct minor drafting defects within the order

Documents

Draft Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) (Amendment) Order

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Draft: The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) (Amendment) Order 2026

PDF, 98.9 KB, 3 pages

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Ways to respond

Respond online

or

Email to:

maritimesafety@dft.gov.uk

Write to:

Maritime Safety Team
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR

Updates to this page

Published 3 February 2026
Last updated 2 April 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

  1. Consultation response summary and next steps published.

  2. First published.

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