During a departure manoeuvre, the vessel strikes a quay wall causing a 2-metre scrape but no flooding. One deck rating slips on a wet deck and breaks his wrist. Describe your MAIB reporting obligations.

A. MAIB REPORTING — MASTER'S OBLIGATIONS: The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 (as amended) require the master to report specific categories of marine casualty to the MAIB. REPORTABLE INCIDENTS — WHAT MUST BE REPORTED: (1) VERY SERIOUS CASUALTY: death, serious injury, loss of vessel — report IMMEDIATELY to MAIB (and flag state). MAIB Investigations Branch (01023 271310 in UK waters); (2) SERIOUS CASUALTY: significant damage to the vessel or environment — may require reporting; (3) MARINE INCIDENT: less serious but still requiring reporting. ASSESSMENT OF YOUR SCENARIO: (a) STRIKING THE QUAY: a 2-metre scrape with no flooding — this is likely a "marine incident" or "less serious casualty." Must be reported to MAIB unless it falls below the de minimis threshold; (b) BROKEN WRIST: a fracture is a "serious injury" under the Regulations — IMMEDIATELY reportable to MAIB. Occupational injuries meeting the serious injury definition are marine casualties under the Regulations; HOW TO REPORT: (1) Contact MAIB by telephone: 023 8023 2527 (24-hour duty officer). The initial report should be immediate for serious injuries; (2) Follow up with a written preliminary inquiry form (MAIB website) within 5 days; (3) Log Book: the incident and all subsequent actions must be entered in the official log; (4) PRESERVE EVIDENCE: VDR, CCTV, damaged equipment — do not move or clean anything in the accident area until the MAIB has been notified. The MAIB may investigate and require access to evidence; (5) ISM: report to DPA as an ISM non-conformity; (6) COMPANY: immediate notification to company.

B. MAIB only investigates incidents at sea. A port manoeuvre incident in a harbour does not fall under MAIB jurisdiction.

C. Minor incidents and injuries do not require MAIB reporting. Only casualties resulting in death or loss of the vessel require immediate reporting.

D. Report the broken wrist to the local hospital and the quay damage to the port authority. MAIB is only involved when the captain specifically requests an investigation.

A. FLAG STATE JURISDICTION — MASTER'S OVERVIEW: Under UNCLOS Article 91, every vessel must be registered under a flag state. The flag state has jurisdiction over the vessel on the high seas and is responsible for ensuring the vessel complies with international conventions. PRINCIPLE: a vessel on the high seas is subject ONLY to the flag state's jurisdiction (with exceptions for piracy, slave trade, stateless vessels, and in some cases drug trafficking). Port states (under UNCLOS Article 218) have additional jurisdiction in port. UK FLAG STATE OBLIGATIONS (MCA): (1) UK-flagged vessels must comply with ALL UK statutory instruments implementing international conventions; (2) The MCA issues the statutory certificates (LL, SOLAS, IOPP, etc.) directly or through Recognised Organisations (ROs) such as Lloyd's Register or DNV; (3) MCA conducts flag state inspections — different from PSC inspections; (4) STCW: UK officers must hold UK CoC (issued by MCA). The MCA implements the STCW Convention through the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2015; (5) SEAFARER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (SEA): MCA requires UK vessels to have MLC-compliant SEAs; (6) VESSEL REGISTRATION: UK registry is maintained by MCA Ship Register. The Master's name may be entered on the register for vessels over a certain GT; (7) ISM: the MCA issues the Document of Compliance (DOC) to UK shipping companies and the SMC to UK vessels. OPEN REGISTERS: Flag of Convenience (FoC) states (Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands) offer registration with less regulatory scrutiny. They are still obligated under SOLAS/MARPOL as signatories.

B. Once a vessel is registered under a flag, the flag state has no further obligations. All safety obligations are transferred to the vessel's operator.

C. Port state control supersedes flag state jurisdiction. A vessel in port is subject only to the port state's laws and the flag state has no authority over the vessel in a foreign port.

D. The master of a UK-flagged vessel is employed by MCA. The MCA is responsible for paying crew and maintaining the vessel on behalf of the UK government.

A. SOLAS SURVEY SCHEDULE — MASTER'S KNOWLEDGE: SOLAS Chapter I Regulation 9 sets the survey requirements. KEY SURVEYS: (1) INITIAL SURVEY: before the vessel is put into service — before certificates are first issued. Comprehensive survey of structure, machinery, equipment; (2) RENEWAL SURVEY: at 5-year intervals. Full survey to renew all statutory certificates. Vessels must be drydocked for the hull survey; (3) ANNUAL SURVEY: each year (between 3 months before and 3 months after the anniversary date of the certificate). Confirmed that conditions remain satisfactory. The annual survey endorses the certificate for the next year; (4) INTERMEDIATE SURVEY: at the second or third annual survey (within 6 months of the halfway point of the 5-year certificate). A more detailed inspection between renewal surveys; (5) PERIODICAL SURVEY: for specific equipment (e.g., safety equipment) at set intervals — lifeboats 5 years (comprehensive) and annually (operational); (6) DRYDOCK: hull inspection below the waterline — every 2.5 years (5-year intervals with intermediate drydock at 2.5 years). LOAD LINE SURVEY: similar 5-year renewal with annual surveys. MASTER'S ROLE: (1) MAINTAIN THE SURVEY SCHEDULE: track all survey due dates (annual, intermediate, renewal). Give the DPA/company advance notice (typically 3-6 months); (2) PREPARE THE VESSEL: ensure the vessel is in survey-ready condition at all times — equipment operational, certificates up to date, crew trained; (3) COOPERATE WITH SURVEYOR: accompany the surveyor, produce all documents, demonstrate equipment; (4) DEFICIENCIES: immediately report to company any deficiency that may affect the survey outcome.

B. SOLAS certificates are permanent once issued. They do not require renewal surveys — only if the vessel undergoes major modifications.

C. The classification society is responsible for all SOLAS surveys. The master has no role in survey preparation — this is entirely a technical matter for the chief engineer.

D. Annual surveys are only required for passenger vessels. Cargo ships only need the 5-year renewal survey.