About the Division for Investigation of Maritime Accidents 

What is The Division for Investigation of Maritime Accidents?
The Division for Investigation of Maritime Accident is an "Accident Investigation Board" that investigates accidents at sea. The Division is sited at The Danish Maritime Authority, but it acts as an independent unit and its work is separated from the other tasks of the Danish Maritime Authority.

We investigate maritime accidents and accidents to seafarers on Danish merchant and fishing ships as well as accidents on foreign ships, if they happens in Danish Waters. Furthermore we investigate accidents involving professional divers, pollution accidents, accident on off-shore installations that are not covered by the Act of Certain Offshore Installations and if needed accident involving pleasure crafts.

What is the purpose of the Division for Investigating Maritime Accidents?
Our purpose is to bring to light the circumstances relating to the accidents with the aim to guard against accidents.

We communicate knowledge about accidents. This knowledge is used by the fishing and merchant industries as well as the Danish Maritime Authority in order to guard against accidents.

Marine accident reports are issued in cases of serious accidents and/or when lessons can be learned. Statistics on accidents at sea are published on a yearly basis by the Danish Maritime Authority.

The aim of our investigations is not to establish legal or economic liability.

Who are we?
The Division consists of five investigators - one of which is the head of the Division.

We have a broad maritime and technical background among others as navigators, engineers and naval architects.

Our work is laid down in "Order on the investigation of accidents at sea", Danish Maritime Authority Order no. 790 of 10 July 2006.

The order is based on the principles in the IMO Code "Investigation of Maritime Casualties and Incidents".