Vol. 478 No. 4
277 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the legislation, if any, which is in place in relation to passenger safety on boats; if so, the mechanism to ensure the legislation is being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11422/97]
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, provides that all passenger boats must be inspected and licensed by the Department of the Marine.
A passenger boat licence may only be granted after the vessel has been inspected by a marine surveyor of my Department and found to be suitable. The operators of all such vessels must, for licensing purposes, satisfy a comprehensive range of safety standards in relation to vessel construction and seaworthiness, and approved firefighting, life-saving and radio equipment. The licence also specifies the limits beyond which the vessel may not ply and the maximum number of passengers that may be carried. Passenger boats are surveyed by the Marine Survey Officer every two years in order to have their licence renewed.
Apart from these bi-annual surveys, individual passenger boats are monitored by my Department, as well as the gardaí, on an ongoing basis to ensure that the vessel is being operated in compliance with the legislation. Operators who are found to be in breach of the terms of their licence are liable to be prosecuted and can face fines, or even imprisonment, if convicted.
