Vol. 412 No. 2
22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine whether he has had any contact with the UK authorities following the recent new safety regulations announced after the inquiry into the sinking of the MFV Antares; and whether he has made the case for a much safer regime for fishing boats in the Irish Sea.
Members of this House will recall that I have publicly expressed my concern at the tragic incident involving the Scottish fishing vessel, the Antares, in the Firth of Clyde on 22 November last in which four fishermen lost their lives. Following the incident a number of inquiries into the tragedy were instituted by the UK authorities.
The report of the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch, which is the authority responsible for the investigation of marine accidents, is expected in a few months. The inquiry to which the Deputy refers was a fatal accident inquiry carried out under Scottish law. I understand its report is the broad equivalent of the verdict of a coroner's court. The report is being studied by officials of my Department and its recommendations will be followed up where appropriate.
Following the Antares casualty the United Kingdom authorities began to broadcast information regarding dived submarine activity in the Firth of Clyde area and more recently in the wider Clyde exercise area. This information is available on VHF radio to all Irish seafarers using VHF receivers. My Department have recently issued a marine notice alerting Irish seafarers to this development.
