Written Answers. - Safety at Sea.
Ivor Callely
Question:
31
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for the Marine
the new and additional measures, if any, for improved safety of life at sea in 1995; the measures, if any, which have been introduced in 1995 for the months of June, July, August and September in view of the fact that there is usually an increase in sea activity by the general public at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11460/95]
The Department of the Marine's key policy objective in relation to maritime safety is to ensure that the highest standards of safety are set and enforced, in order to minimise the risks to human safety on our seas, rivers and lakes. These standards must apply throughout the year, and not just in peak periods of activity. In response to the Deputy's question I consider it to be important, particularly in the interest of the general public's peace of mind and confidence in our high standards of maritime safety, to put new measures clearly in the context of the existing regime.
Irish-registered passenger vessels are subjected anually to thorough inspection by the Department's Marine Survey Office for the renewal of their passenger and safety certificates. These vessels are required to be equipped, maintained and operated to the highest international standards. Foreign-registered passenger vessels using Irish ports are also inspected at least once a year. Passenger boats, namely vessels carrying not more than 12 passengers are licensed for a period up to a maximum of two years.
The International Maritime Organisation — IMO — which draws on worldwide maritime expertise and opinion, is the source of the vast bulk of Ireland's maritime safety rules. Its Safety of Life at Sea — SOLAS — convention forms the cornerstone of maritime safety regulation throughout the world. Ireland is an active participant in the IMO, and I am committed to ensuring that the Department continues to give priority to introducing into Irish law the IMO's constantly evolving safety.
The European Union is playing an increasingly important and involved role in the area of maritime safety. This involvement was given increased impetus as a result of theBraer oil spillage off the Shetlands in 1993, and more recently after the Estonia passenger ferry disaster. In June 1993, the Council of Transport Ministers endorsed the Commission's communication “A Common Policy on Safe Seas”. This document provides the framework for the introduction of a range of regulatory measures governing maritime safety. On 15 September next the EU Directive on reporting arrangements for vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods into or out of European ports comes into effect.
On 1 July 1996 a Council Directive on Port State Control which will introduce a strengthened regime of mandatory inspection of visiting foreign vessels comes into effect; on the same date a Council regulation on the IMO's International Safety Management — ISM — Code designed to enhance the safe management, operation and pollution prevention of Ro-Ro ferries will be introduced on a mandatory basis for ferries operating in Community waters.
On the domestic front the 1992 Merchant Shipping Act provides me with the basis for introducing safety regulations in a number of sectors. In this regard I can inform the House that the Department is currently drafting two sets of regulations under the provisions of the Act. One will give effect to the recommendations of the Castletownbere accident investigation report, and is designed to enhance the safety of the public and crew of small passenger boats. The second set of regulations will bring all commercial sea angling vessels, regardless of size or distance travelled from land, into a uniform mandatory safety regime. It is proposed to introduce the passenger boat and sea angling regulations with effect from 1 January 1996.
Regulatory measures cannot provide the solution to all maritime safety problems. There are some sectors, particularly the rapidly expanding area of leisure craft, where legislation would be neither appropriate nor practicable. The main thrust of the Department's efforts in this area is to alert water sports enthusiasts, and the general public, to the need for safety consciousness, and to provide information on appropriate safety practice. This objective is achieved through the Department's annual water safety awareness campaign, by means of radio and newspaper advertisments, distribution of safety posters and leaflets, and search and rescue demonstrations and information meetings. The awareness campaign, which is launched every Easter to coincide with the seasonal increase in water-based activity, has been considerably strengthened and has benefited from a threefold increase in funding over the last two years. Additional elements in this year's campaign include the proposed launching of safety leaflets on canoeing and windsurfing and the publication of a code of safety for pleasure craft.
It is my objective to ensure that the Department will continue to maintain the highest possible standards of maritime safety.
