Representatives of the Marine Accident Investigation Division of the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (TAIIB) participated in the 6th Nordic Baltic Meeting of Marine Accident Investigation Authorities, held on 19–20 May 2026 in Reykjavík, Iceland. The meeting was organised by the Icelandic Safety Investigation Authority and brought together representatives of marine accident investigation authorities from the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region countries.
During the meeting, participating states shared updates on developments within their respective investigation authorities over the past year and discussed ongoing and completed marine accident investigations. Particular attention was paid to the forthcoming changes in the European Union regulatory framework, which will extend the scope of marine accident safety investigations to include fishing vessels under 15 metres in length. Participants noted that for countries where such accidents are already investigated, such as Norway, these changes will not result in major practical adjustments. However, for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and several other countries, they may create additional challenges in terms of the number of potential investigation cases, resource planning and institutional capacity.
A significant part of the discussions was also devoted to the coordinated response of investigation authorities in the event of a large-scale marine accident or crisis situation, particularly in scenarios involving a large number of people, passenger vessels or a substantial threat to the environment. The participating states emphasised the need to develop a more specific cooperation mechanism for the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region, defining contact points, information exchange procedures, division of responsibilities and principles for mutual support in cases with cross-border impact.
As part of the meeting programme, marine accident investigators visited the Icelandic Parliament, where the delegation was received by the Icelandic Minister of Infrastructure. The visit provided valuable insight into the work of the Icelandic Parliament and the country’s approach to infrastructure development, the sustainable use of natural resources and public welfare. Particular emphasis was placed on the historical and economic importance of fisheries in Iceland, as well as on future challenges arising from geopolitical developments and cooperation with the European Union, while safeguarding Iceland’s fisheries interests and national resources.
The presentation delivered by the investigation divers of the Icelandic Police Special Forces Unit Delta was particularly informative. The specialists shared their experience of carrying out complex and hazardous work in Icelandic waters, including underwater inspections, evidence recovery and documentation of accident sites. The presentation demonstrated the importance of timely access to specialised technical support in marine accident investigations, as such capabilities can provide significant assistance to transport accident investigation authorities, the police and other responsible services.
TAIIB representatives consider their participation in the meeting to be a valuable exchange of professional experience and an important contribution to the further development of the Marine Accident Investigation Division’s work. The knowledge gained will be useful in preparing for the new European Union requirements, strengthening cooperation with specialised services and improving response mechanisms for potential large-scale marine accidents.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the venue for the next meeting was also discussed. Taking into account that Latvia has not hosted a meeting of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region marine accident investigation authorities for more than ten years, the Latvian side was invited to consider the possibility of organising the next meeting in Riga in 2027.