Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 8

Written Answers. - Sealink Ferry Hibernia Incident.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

62 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine the investigation, if any, which has been held into an incident on the Sealink ferry, Hibernia, on the night of 16/17 January 1993, which resulted in 20 people being injured; if he intends to undertake any review of safety procedures in the light of this accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Marine (Mr. G. O'Sullivan)

On the day of the incident in question, I despatched the Department's Deputy Chief Surveyor to Holyhead to make a firsthand assessment of the situation. His report to me concluded that the incident resulted from the vessel rolling suddenly and then righting itself in rough sea conditions. The fast and heavy motion caused many passengers to lose their balance and some sustained injury through collision with moving or fixed objects. Freight vehicles were securely lashed and stowed and did not shift appreciably. Some cars moved on the car-deck resulting in damage of same. I am satisfied, on foot of his comprehensive report to me, that no further investigation of this incident by the Department is necessary. The UK Department of Transport have recently completed their own investigation and have undertaken to make a summary account of that investigation available to this Department as soon as possible. The Hibernia is a UK registered vessel. Stena Sealink Line, who operate the Hibernia, carried out their own internal inquiry into the incident.

I will be keeping the safety of sea passenger transport under close review. We have in this country, uniquely may I say, a special mechanism for the regular review of ferry safety. This is the National Ferry Safety Committee which meets regularly to review safety procedures and standards and to make recommendations as necessary. The Committee is chaired by the Department's chief surveyor and includes senior technical representatives from all the ferry companies operating into Irish ports. The committee has made an assessment of the accident, and did not on the basis of that review recommend any new measures. They did however review the guidelines on carriage and securement of vehicles on ferries.

As part of the ongoing review of ferry safety, the Department has recently reiterated guidelines on the carriage and securement of vehicles and cargo units by way of a marine notice for shipowners, shippers and ship personnel.

I would like to stress that notwithstanding recent incidents the safety record of such vessels operating into Irish ports has been a good one over the years. I am very conscious, however, of public concern in the matter and I am currently considering the possibility of commissioning an independent, comprehensive review which would look at all aspects of ferry safety.