Simon Coveney
Question:171 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to introduce a new registration system for recreational craft at sea. [5834/04]
View answerTuesday, 24 February 2004
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Written answers
The maritime safety directorate of my Department is developing a registration system to enhance the safety of recreational craft. This new system will form part of an overhaul of the vessel registration process generally by the directorate, which will put safety at the centre of the process. It is proposed that recreational craft would fall into two categories for registration purposes, a small craft register or full registration, depending on length, tonnage and speed.
Having carried out a preliminary examination, a number of concerns have arisen which need to be addressed. As part of the process of developing the register I have now requested that the directorate undertake a public consultation process to clarify, in more specific terms, the needs and concerns of the different interests involved.
The registration system will be introduced initially on a voluntary basis to facilitate the early commencement of the scheme, but it is my intention that the system will, in time, be put on a statutory basis. The consultation process will commence very shortly.