Written Answers. - Water Sports Vehicles.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
207
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the legislative proposals he has in regard to the regulation of jet skis and power boats in bathing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21774/03]
Brian O'Shea
Question:
208
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the number of accidents involving jet skis and power boats in or adjacent to bathing areas in each of the past five years and to date in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21775/03]
Brian O'Shea
Question:
209
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
the proposals he has to ensure the enforcement of regulations relating to the use of jet skis and power boats in or adjacent to bathing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21776/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 209, inclusive, together.
I am very concerned about controls relating to the use of jet skis, particularly in areas where bathing takes place, in harbours and other places where water users frequent, and I have taken a number of steps to address this matter. At present there are two sets of regulations, introduced in 2001, which contain specific national provisions governing the safe use of jet skis and similar craft. These regulations include provisions in relation to age restrictions for operators, the carriage and use of lifejackets and restrictions on the use of alcohol and drugs and they also provide for careless and dangerous navigation and operation offences. I have recently brought forward proposals to amend the Fisheries Harbour Centres Acts to increase penalties for breaches of by-laws as well as providing for stronger controls on jet skis and other high powered craft that could endanger life and seriously prejudice the proper operation of fishery harbour centres.
A key objective of mine is that local authorities should adopt local by-laws for the safe operation of jet skis in their areas of responsibility. My Department have been encouraging all local authorities to adopt suitable by-laws and to date eight have done so and a number of others are considering them. However, a legal issue has arisen regarding the making of these by-laws in respect of water areas not directly under the control of the local authority. My Department are in discussions at this time with officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the matter. I have requested the Department to bring forward proposals as quickly as possible to enable local authorities to adopt regulations in regard to the operation of jet skis in any waters within their jurisdiction where such controls are considered desirable.
My Department has no specific statistics relating to the number of accidents involving jet skis and power boats in or adjacent to bathing areas in each of the past five years. However, there are statistics recording the number of incidents reported covering vessels that were adrift, abandoned, broken down or in difficulty. These are as follows:
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
Jet Skis
|
5
|
9
|
10
|
7
|
6
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Power/Speed Boats
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
11
|
5
|
9
|
There were two fatal accidents on record, which occurred in the time period that you requested. The first is an accident that occurred in Mullaghmore, County Sligo, on 12 July 1999 and involved a collision between a jet ski and a powerboat. The second was an accident in Youghal Harbour on 11 August 2003 and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is currently investigating this incident.
Under primary legislation (Merchant Shipping Act 1992) the Garda is the main agent of enforcement. However, I am currently examining the issue of greater involvement at local level within the wider context of enhancing enforcement of safety measures by the Maritime Safety Directorate.
