Watercraft Accident Investigation Legislation Amendment
Summary
The Department for Transport and Marine Accident Investigation Branch concluded a consultation on amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023. The amendments aim to ensure accidents involving watercraft (recreational vessels with installed motors such as personal watercraft) can be investigated by the MAIB, and to correct minor drafting defects in the original order. Seventeen responses were received; minor stylistic amendments raised during consultation will be incorporated and the new legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.
What changed
The consultation outcome confirms amendments to the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 that will extend MAIB investigative authority to cover accidents involving recreational watercraft with installed motors, including personal watercraft. The amendments also correct minor drafting defects identified in the original 2023 order.\n\nAffected parties including watercraft operators, maritime businesses, marina operators, and marine insurers should monitor for the final amendment order, which will introduce new investigative jurisdiction once enacted. Recreational boaters and personal watercraft users may see changes to accident reporting requirements once the legislation takes effect.
What to do next
- Monitor for the final Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Amendment Order 2026
- Review current watercraft accident reporting procedures for compliance with updated legislation
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Consultation outcome
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
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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.
Summary
Seeks views on amending legislation to ensure accidents involving watercraft are investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
This consultation ran from
**
9:30am on 3 February 2026
to
11:59pm on 3 March 2026
**
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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- Twitter Published 3 February 2026 Last updated 2 April 2026 show all updates
- 2 April 2026
Consultation response summary and next steps published.
2.
3 February 2026
First published.
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