The BBC documentary this week on "What makes ships sink" reminded me that the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) of the DfT publish a free Safety Digest 3 or 4 times a year. This covers all types of accidents and safety incidents to Merchant Vesels, Fishing Vessels and Small Craft and all sections are well worth reading by cruising yachtsmen. A free subscription to The Safety Digest may be obtained from MAIB by emailing them at mailpublications@dft.gsi.gov.u?k Safety Digests are also available on the MAIB website at www.gov.uk

Since I posted this message on facebook a few days ago, Art Ross and Priscilla Travis have pointed out that there are similar services and publications available in the USA, which I hope they will also highlight here.

There is a lot in these investgations which is of interest to small boat sailors, even if the incidents take place on large merchant vessels or fishing vessels.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Marine division accident reports are available at www.ntsb.gov/investigations/reports_marine.htm. Scroll down to Accident Investigations, click on Databases. On the Databases screen under Reports click on Marine. The NTSB investigates incidents in U.S. waters and accidents involving U.S. vessels in foreign waters; ships, government vessels and sometimes private vessels (yachts) are investigated. No matter the size of the vessels involved, mariners may learn some good lessons.

The U.S. Coast Guard Journal of Safety and Security at Sea, Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council, is a quarterly magazine, with free print and web access. Read a sample at www.uscg.mil/proceedings Large vessel security issues are paramount these days, but there is often useful information for mariners.

The direct link to the quarterly Safety Digest of the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is www.maib.gov.uk/home/index.cfm