Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:6 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for the Marine if he will consider introducing a licensing system for Irish-owned yachts.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Pleasure Craft Licensing.
Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:50 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the regulations concerning safety and seaworthiness of pleasure boats in Irish lakes, rivers and other waters.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 50 together.
Pleasure craft are defined under the Merchant Shipping Acts as vessels used primarily for sport or recreation. Pleasure craft of over 80 gross registered tons are required to carry a minimum number of certified deck and engineer officers as laid down in regulations made under the Merchant Shipping (Certification of Seamen) Act, 1979. Pleasure craft of 13.7 metres in length and over and yachts which proceed to sea are required to comply with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) (Post 1980 ships) Rules, 1987 and the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983.
The Irish Yachting Association in conjunction with yacht clubs and other similar organisations are active in promoting the carriage of adequate safety equipment in yachts and in the encouragement of good seamanship. The association are instrumental in the training for and granting of certificates of competency to yachtsmen after examination. These certificates are voluntary and are approved by my Department. In addition the National Safety Council are actively engaged in the production and dissemination of information to pleasure craft enthusiasts by means of booklets, pamphlets, etc. My officials are now liaising with the council in an attempt to improve public awareness in this area.
In the context of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger and Vessel Safety and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill currently under preparation, I have included enabling provisions to allow for the regulation of pleasure craft and yachts which do not come within the ambit of present legislation, should this be found necessary.
The Minister indicated that it was up to the association to implement safety measures. Do the Department have a direct input to that by inspectors or officers from the Department?
(Limerick West): Department officials issue certificates in respect of ships carrying more than 12 passengers.
Is the Minister of State aware that Minister Wilson, in reply to a question which I tabled some months ago in relation to the safety of pleasure boats, indicated that his Department were considering the inclusion of boats under 13.7 metres for the purposes of licensing? How soon does he think this can be put into operation, particularly given the situation which occurred last summer — and previous summers — when tragic accidents occured because of faulty boats putting to sea?
(Limerick West): It is my ambition to have this in place by the summer.