Vol. 477 No. 2
341 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for the Marine if he will report on the recent collision off the south west coast between the United Kingdom-registered flagship, The Sea Horse, and The Exodus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9131/97]
A Department of the Marine inquiry into the collision is being carried out by two marine surveyors from my Department under section 465 of the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act. As part of the inquiry, the marine surveyors interviewed the crew of both vessels involved in the collision and two other Irish fishing vessels who were in the vicinity at the time. As a result of depositions taken and evidence gathered, an opinion was formed by my Department that offences may have been committed under the international collisions regulations.
On Friday, 14 March 1997, three summonses were served on the skipper of The Sea Horse in respect of alleged breaches of Rules 5, 13A and 18(A) (iii) of the Collisions Regulations (Ships and Watercraft on the Water) Order, 1984 (S.I. No. 29 of 1984), as amended. These rules are concerned with the keeping of a proper look-out, overtaking procedure and the responsibilities of a power driven vessel under way to keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing. The summonses are returnable to the District Court, Bantry on Friday next, 11 April 1997 at 11.00 a.m.
It is my intention that a report on the accident will be made available, subject to normal legal considerations, as soon as possible after completion of the investigation.
