Safety - including inquiries and reports

There are two purposes of a public inquiry, namely ascertaining the facts and learning lessons for the future. In the vast majority of cases the second is a very important ingredient, especially in the sphere of transport, because it is to be hoped and indeed expected that the detailed examination of the causes of a particular casualty will yield valuable information from which lessons can be learned. The public (and especially the survivors and the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives) has a legitimate interest in learning the truth of what happened, without anything being swept under the carpet. In some cases that will necessitate a public inquiry, whereas in others it will not.

M.V. Derbyshire

Investigation into the disappearance of the M.V. Derbyshire bulk carrier which disappeared virtually without a trace on September 9 1980, just south of Japan.

Thames safety inquiry : final report

Inquiry into safety on the River Thames, which has been further emphasised in recent decades by amongst others, the Marchioness and Bowbelle disasters.

Thames safety inquiry : interim report

Inquiry into safety on the River Thames, which has been further emphasised in recent decades by amongst others, the Marchioness and Bowbelle disasters.

Response to the Transport Select Committee's report on the MCA - CM 6343 (95 kb)

CM 6343 - The Government's response to the Transport Select Committee's report on the work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Published:

08 December 2005

The trawler Gaul: Why was no search made for the wreck? (733 kb)

The report was written by Roger Clarke.

Published:

08 December 2005