asked the Minister for Transport and Power the precautions which are taken to ensure that boats do not carry more passengers than they are fit to; what steps are taken to supervise the fitness and operation of boats carrying passengers; the number and location of boats licensed to carry passengers for reward; and if it is proposed to improve the supervision of boats.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Supervision of Passenger Carrying Boats.
56.
No mechanically propelled vessel may carry more than twelve passengers regardless of whether it is plying for hire or not, unless it holds a valid passenger certificate issued under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts. Vessels required to hold such certificates must be surveyed annually by a surveyor of my Department. A passenger certificate issued on the basis of such a survey stipulates the number of persons, crew and passengers which the vessel may carry, the limits within which it may ply, and the weather and other conditions in which the vessel may carry passengers. The passenger certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous position on board the vessel. The Garda Síochána who are responsible for enforcing the law in this matter are notified of the issue of all such passenger certificates. Any breach of the requirements of the passenger certificate renders the owner and the master of the vessel liable to prosecution and, on conviction, to heavy penalties. Thirty-one passenger certificates are currently in force.
Attention is directed regularly by my Department to the safety obligations of owners and masters of passenger vessels including vessels carrying not more than twelve passengers and sea angling vessels, in regard to the carriage of passengers, by the issue of marine notices and circulars.
Pleasure boats carrying twelve passengers or less and plying for hire may be licensed by a local authority under the Public Health Acts or by harbour authorities, under the Harbours Act, 1946. The numbers and location of such vessels are matters for the authorities concerned and such information is not available in my Department.
I am satisfied that the existing statutory and supervisory controls applicable to passenger vessels are adequate.