At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead investigations into marine accidents and manage a team of specialists.
- Company: Join the Marine Accident Investigation Branch within the Department for Transport.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in maritime safety while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a background in accident investigation are essential.
Department for Transport
Location: Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
Salary: £96,140 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Full-time
Available Positions: 1
Based in Southampton, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is an independent organisation within the Department for Transport. The Branch is responsible for investigating accidents and incidents involving UK vessels anywhere in the world, and any vessels within UK territorial waters, with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The Branch is not responsible for apportioning blame or liability, nor does it enforce laws or carry out prosecutions.
The MAIB comprises 34 specialist and administrative staff. Inspectors are divided into four teams each headed by a Principal Inspector.
As a Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents, you will be responsible for supervising a multi-disciplinary team of inspectors carrying out investigations into marine accidents. You will also be a member of the senior management team, contributing to the formulation of policy and the development of the Branch.
Top Responsibilities
- Acting as duty co-ordinator and the Branch’s initial point of contact for out of hours accident notifications within a 4-week cycle; leading and managing a team of specialist accident investigators.
- Deploying to accident sites, at short notice during duty weeks, to manage the more demanding investigations; this could include travel worldwide.
- Directing the progress, conduct, and quality assurance of investigations, the development of recommendations, and overseeing production of the report.
- Dealing with individuals and organisations involved in marine accidents in what can often be stressful situations.
- Representing the Branch at industry fora.
- Contributing to MAIB's wider management strategies.
Special Features of the Role
Your commitment to deploy will be managed through a duty system whereby 4 duty teams rotate through a weekly cycle. During your duty week you will need to be available to travel to accident sites at 2 hours’ notice. The following week (standby) you will be at 6 hours’ notice to fill in for or assist the duty team if it is deployed. For weeks 3 and 4 of the cycle you will be expected to be contactable and available to deploy unless otherwise agreed. Duty rosters are published well in advance to enable you to plan ahead, and flexibility is possible to accommodate important family events and other commitments.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
- Be expected to apply sound judgement under pressure and have both strong leadership and managerial skills.
- Be highly motivated, inquisitive and a critical thinker who is able to engage with new, unfamiliar or controversial concepts.
- Require considerable diplomatic skills, be comfortable engaging with people from all walks of life, and be empathetic when dealing with the victims, next-of-kin and others affected by marine accidents.
- Have the confidence and technical background to enable you to tackle accident investigations involving vessels of all types.
- Have the ability to assess and analyse data from various sources, and able to recognise when external expertise is required to make progress.
- Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and have the critical skills necessary to quality assure the work of others.
Additional Information
You will be required to undertake a Post Graduate Cert in Applied Marine Accident Investigation and Foundation e-learning module of the Contract Management Capability programme once in role, unless these accreditations are already held. Both qualifications are fully funded by the MAIB.
Important:
- Due to the nature of MAIB operations, you will be required to undertake physical activities and must be able to board vessels by pilot ladder and move around disrupted environments unaided.
- You will also be exposed to situations, information and material of a sensitive or traumatic nature and recordings that could be distressing.
How to Apply
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 6th July 2026.
Principal Inspector of Marine Accidents in Southampton employer: Department for Transport
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