Written Answers. - Water Safety.
Derek McDowell
Question:
107
Mr. McDowell
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the main features of the recently announced safety on the water blitz; when he will introduce legislation to provide for increased safety procedures, especially in regard to the use of leisure craft; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12928/00]
The year 2000 safety on the water campaign, which I launched on 4 April 2000 is the most intensive campaign to date in trying to get the water safety message across to all those using our waters and sees a concerted co-operative effort on behalf of all major interests in the marine and safety sectors.
The main elements of the campaign are as follows. Irish coast guard volunteers will distribute Safety on the Water publications at piers, slipways, fishing tackle shops and caravan parks to target those who may not yet have taken the safety message on board. A standard safety on the water talk has been devised by the coast guard for interested groups on water safety topics The RNLI's Get Splashed publication is being re-issued and a competition based on it will be run for primary schools. The Irish water safety on the water schools' pack will be publicised again while my Department will also run its annual colouring competition for primary schools which carries a serious safety message. In addition, local radio will broadcast my Department's yearly safety message to the public which will be a hard hitting safety on the water and accident prevention warning.
Also under this campaign, the RNLI plan a sea check blitz on slipways, targeted mainly as non-regulated boat users, as the leisure boating season gets under way. When a boat has been checked and found to be in order, the owner receives a special sea check sticker for display. I wish the RNLI continued success with this initiative and I encourage all boat owners to avail of this excellent service.
Finally, The Irish Sailing Association will co-ordinate a campaign for affiliated boat clubs and Irish water safety is conducting courses on learning to swim and lifeguard training as part of the ongoing nationwide water safety campaign. I cannot overemphasise the importance of learning to swim for every child and indeed adult in the country as a basic water safety measure.
With reference to the issue of safety on leisure craft, as the Deputy is aware, the action group on small powered recreational craft, including personal watercraft, recently presented me with its final report. On the basis of this, I am currently proposing the introduction of a legislative framework for the regulation of recreational craft, be they commercial concerns or purely pleasure craft. This is being achieved through amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, which are included in the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Bill, 1999. The select committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently scheduled to examine this at its session on 16 May. Following on the enactment of this piece of legislation, I hope to quickly introduce implementing regulations based on the recommendations of the action group's final report.
