asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether in view of the value of inflatable life rafts in the saving of lives at sea, as indicated in press reports, he will state what steps are being taken to provide for the compulsory carriage of such life rafts on Irish ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inflatable Life Rafts on Irish Ships.
35.
I am aware of the value of inflatable life rafts as life saving equipment at sea. After consultation with the shipping industry, I have made new Rules governing the carriage of life-saving appliances on ships, entitled the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1960, which require the carriage of inflatable life rafts on passenger and cargo ships on cross-Channel and near Continental voyages, on fishing boats over 50' in length and on certain other sea-going craft including tugs and tenders. In addition, the Rules permit the substitution of inflatable life rafts for buoyant apparatus, and to some extent for lifeboats, on certain other vessels. These Rules, which were presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas on 19th February, 1960, are due to come into operation on 1st April.