Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1992

Vol. 421 No. 9

Written Answers. - Galway-Aran Passenger Service.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

46 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine if he will give details of the locations where the vessels using the Galway to Aran passenger service have been dry docked, which is mandatory prior to issuing a passenger carrying certificate.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 (S. I. No. 274 of 1985) require that the survey for the renewal of a Passenger Certificate shall include an inspection of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels, machinery and equipment, including the outside of the ship's bottom (Rule 81 (2) (b)).

The following passenger vessels operate in the Galway area:

Galway Bay	Bottom survey completed on “Synchrolift” at Killybegs on 21 May
	1992.
Rose of Aran	Bottom survey completed on strand at Carraroe on 7 February 1992.
Queen of Aran	Bottom survey completed on slipway at Rossaveal on 14 February 1992.
Aran Seabird	Bottom survey completed on strand at Carraroe on 7 February 1992.
Aran Flyer	Bottom survey completed on “Synchrolift” at Killybegs on 26 March 1992.
Donemark	Bottom survey completed on beach at Spiddal on 19 June 1992.
Island Discovery	Due to be surveyed later this year.

Due to the non-existence of dry docking facilities in the Galway area, it has been the practice for many years that the bottom survey may, with permission of the surveyor, be carried out on a slipway, strand or beach provided that the vessel is raised on wooden sleepers to a height sufficient for the survey to take place. Should any defects be discovered during the survey which would necessitate the vessel proceeding to a proper dry dock facility then this is undertaken by the owner.