Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
260. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the date that Ireland expects to become a party to the agreement called the Wilhemshaven Memorandum of Understanding between Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Spain and Norway relating to SDS, special designated historic ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37259/22]
View answerIt is understood that the Memorandum being referred to is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the mutual recognition of certificates for the safe operation of traditional ships in European waters and of certificates of competency for crews on traditional ships, signed in November 2005. It is understood that the MoU seeks to address traditional ships that often operate on national safety certificates, and which cannot comply with international rules such as the SOLAS Convention or rules within the European Union or individual member states. It is understood that the MoU is mainly designed for traditional ships participating in maritime events in other countries and also contains recommendations for the performance of day trips in the waters of the member countries. The memorandum is not legally binding, and it does not provide a legal basis for the operation of such ships which are regulated by international, EU and national legislation.
The safety of traditional ships is a matter of importance, and many traditional ships are sailing ships. In Ireland there have been several very serious marine casualties involving such ships and it is very fortunate that there has been no loss of lives in these casualties. Full details of these casualties and the issues raised with such ships may be found in the marine casualty reports on the “STV Asgard II” and “STV Astrid” published by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
Ireland is a party to the main international conventions regulating maritime safety most notably the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS Convention as well as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MAPROL Convention, the International Convention on Load Lines and the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Any ship calling to an Irish port must comply with these conventions and under EU Directive 2009/16, as amended, on port state control Ireland is obliged to inspect foreign flagged ships calling to Irish ports and must enforce the requirements of these international conventions. The referenced memorandum of understanding does not alter or amend these legally binding obligations.
Additionally, under Irish national legislation any ship carrying more than twelve passengers is a passenger ship and must comply with the Merchant Shipping Acts and hold a passenger ship safety certificate and any vessel carrying twelve or less passenger must hold a passenger boat licence. These are legally binding legislative requirements, and the referenced memorandum does not alter or amend these requirements.
Given the above and the importance of maritime safety, the Department has no plans to become a party to the referenced Memorandum.
