Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 4

Written Answers. - Ferry Safety Standards.

Ivan Yates

Question:

88 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the procedures in relation to the inspection of the seaworthiness of ferries; if he has any proposals to bring forward stricter maritime laws as regards safety standards applying to ferries, as were proposed by the International Maritime Organisation, arising out of the Zeebrugge accident in 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

As Minister with responsibility for safety at sea, I am naturally concerned about safety standards on board ferries operating in and out of Ireland. All such ferries must adhere to the international safety standards, including evacuation systems, as laid down by the International Maritime Organisation. Irish registered ferries are required to undergo a rigorous annual inspection by my Department's Marine Survey Office for the renewal of their passenger and safety certificates. This involves drydocking these vessels and a very thorough inspection of the vessel's bottom, hull, structure and all watertight doors and closing appliances on board. All the vessel's life-saving appliances and fire-fighting appliances are examined and tested where necessary. Tanks and other enclosed spaces are opened out and inspected as part of an ongoing survey programme. All the vessel's lifeboats are inspected in detail and all the liferafts on board are sent ashore for servicing. All lifejackets are examined. All signs indicating to passengers what to do or where to assemble in an emergency are checked, examined and replaced as necessary.

Foreign-registered vessels using Irish ports are subjected to similar inspections under the port State control mechanism.

Since the Herald of Free Enterprise tragedy the safety of Ro-Ro ferries has been extensively researched by the International Maritime Organisation and especially by its Maritime Safety Committee.

In line with the recommendations from the Zeebrugge incident my Department have brought in new regulations covering, inter alia: closing of openings in enclosed superstructures and in bulkheads above the bulkhead deck; closing of openings in hulls and in watertight bulkheads; weighing of goods vehicles; passenger ships construction amendment rules relating to Ro-Ros and covering emergency lighting, television supervision of cardecks; indicator opening lights, passenger boarding card rules.

Further regulations governing Ro-Ro stability, passenger announcements, life-saving appliances, structural fire protection will be introduced shortly.

The IMO is the United Nations international body, charged with maritime safety. As members of the IMO we will continue to fully support all safety regulations emanating from that organisation and particularly with regard to passenger vessels. For the Maritime Safety Committee meeting in London this week I have instructed my Department's officials to fully support a UK initiative whereby the SOLAS 1990 standards will be applied to all ferries on the shortest practicable timescale, preferably within five years. When the timescale has been agreed at the IMO the new standards will be introduced as soon as possible with mandatory compliance for all vessels both Irish and foreign sailing in and out of Irish ports and carrying passengers.

Two weeks ago in Brussels at the Council of Transport Ministers meeting I raised the question of ferry safety and stressed the need for the adoption of higher international standards for passenger ferries. I have also called on my European colleagues to support the UK initiative at the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO.