asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the evidence which has come to light regarding the foundering, with tragic loss of life, of the cross-Channel s.s. Princess Victoria, he will have a special survey carried out of all passenger cross-Channel vessels plying to and from our ports to ensure that all such vessels are (a) structurally sound and seaworthy; (b) equipped with adequate scuppers and ports to permit outflow of any water shipped in rough weather; (c) equipped with adequate life-boats and efficient launching gear equipment and (d) equipped with adequate life-jackets of a type not requiring any special skill or strength on the part of passengers wearing them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Shipping: Safety Precautions.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if the cross-Channel s.s. Princess Victoriawhich foundered in the Irish Sea with tragic loss of life held certificates which permitted her to carry passengers to and from the Port of Dublin, and/or Dún Laoghaire; and, if so,when and by whom such certificates were issued.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
Under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, every passenger ship must be surveyed at least once annually. Three of the four ships engaged in the cross-Channel passenger trade which are on the Irish register have been surveyed by marine surveyors of my Department since the beginning of the year. As a result of these surveys the appropriate annual certificates were issued and I am advised that all three vessels are structurally sound and seaworthy for the purposes for which they are employed; that they are adequately equipped to dispose of any water which may be shipped in rough weather; that in addition to scuppers a number of independent pumping systems are installed; that they are adequately equipped with lifeboats and davits for launching, and that suitable and sufficient life-saving appliances are provided. The fourth vessel will be surveyed during the next few weeks.
This country and most other maritime countries, including Britain, are parties to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. This convention provides for the mutual acceptance of passenger and safety certificates issued by convention countries. Passenger ships registered in other convention countries and calling at our ports are, accordingly, not subject to inspection by my Department's surveyors unless there are grounds for believing that the conditions of a ship's seaworthiness do not correspond substantially with the particulars shown in the certificates and that the ship cannot proceed to sea without danger.
The Princess Victoriawas not an Irish registered ship. I understand that the certificates carried by the vessel were issued by the British Ministry of Transport after the usual surveys and that they authorised the vessel to ply on voyages within certain limits of distance and time which, I am informed, would cover the route Holyhead to Dublin or Dún Laoghaire.
The inquiry into the circumstances connected with the sinking of the Princess Victoriais still in progress and it must not be assumed, from my reply to the Deputy's questions, that I accept the suggestion that the evidence given affords ground for reaching conclusions as to the reasons for the disaster in advance of the report of the inquiry.