Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
190. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if fishing vessels above 15 m in length overall must not switch off their automatic identification system and thereby impair their ability to detect the presence of other vessels and, conversely, impair the capacity of those in other vessels to detect their presence under SI No. 640 of 2007 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14432/22]
View answerThe Merchant Shipping (Safety of Fishing Vessels) (15-24 Metres) Regulations 2007, require that vessels in this category shall be fitted with an automatic identification system (AIS), which shall meet the performance standards drawn up by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Similar provisions apply to fishing vessels of 24m length and over and these are set out in the European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2010, as amended.
In accordance with IMO Resolution A.1106(29), AIS should always be in operation when vessels are underway or at anchor. If the Master believes that the continual operation of AIS might compromise the safety or security of the vessel or where security incidents are imminent, the AIS may be temporarily switched off for as short a period as possible, unless it would further compromise the safety or security of the vessel. In such circumstances, the Master is obliged to record this in the vessel’s logbook together with the reason for doing so and to report this action to the Marine Survey Office of my Department.
In addition to the above, Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 requires that a fishing vessel exceeding 15 metres in length overall shall be fitted with and maintain in operation AIS, which meets the performance standards drawn up by the IMO according to Chapter V, Regulation 19, Section 2.4.5 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.
