Vol. 487 No. 3
41 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will implement the recommendations of the fishery vessel safety review group; when the promised safety awareness campaign will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/98]
In a reply to a question from the Deputy on this subject on 10 December last I underlined my commitment to improving fishing vessel safety and made clear my intention to implement the recommendations and objectives of the fishing vessel safety review group to the greatest extent and with the utmost speed which resources will allow. That remains the position.
There has been continued progress with regard to the implementation of the recommendations in the areas of, inter alia, safety training, on-shore marine radio communications, fleet modernisation and safety awareness. I can also report that two additional marine surveyors have recently been appointed, and a third will be appointed shortly, to facilitate the technical input required in the drafting of the comprehensive safety regulations recommended by the review group.
Having specific regard to safety awareness, the Department's drive to highlight safety issues of particular concern to fishermen is ongoing. The safety awareness campaign has been further developed since the Department's marine safety working group published a practical booklet on fishing vessel machinery failure last year. Only last month the Department published a further safety booklet, on man overboard procedures for fishing vessels, copies of which are currently being made available to skippers. I can also report that guidelines on emergency procedures for fishing vessels are currently being developed and it is proposed to shortly publish these for distribution to the fishing industry. This range of safety information booklets can play a very useful role in developing a safety culture among fishermen, which the review group identified as being necessary.
