Written Answers. - Marine Accidents.
Michael Finucane
Ceist:
49
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the strategy he will adopt in order to ensure the safety recommendations following the sinking of the fishing vessel MV Carrickatine are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26563/98]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:
64
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
if he will make a statement on the report of the Marine Survey Office on the loss of the MFV Carrickatine; the action, if any, he will take arising from the report; when he will bring proposals to Government arising from the report of the investigation of marine casualties policy review group.
[26464/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 64 together.
A report on the investigation of the loss of the fishing vessel Carrickatine, undertaken by the Marine Survey Office of my Department, was published on Monday, 9 November 1998.
While this report sets out fully the efforts made to investigate this tragic incident, sufficient evidence has not been found to enable the investigation to establish the cause of this terrible tragedy.
The principal findings of the report are as follows: it has not been possible to establish what caused the loss of the Carrickatine as there is insufficient evidence to support any theory which might explain her loss; it concludes that the likelihood was that the vessel was lost very quickly with the crew having insufficient time to use the liferafts or lifesaving appliances; while no trace of the vessel or her crew has been found to date, some debris, identified as coming from the Carrickatine, was recovered but did not reveal any information on the possible location of the vessel.
The report makes recommendations aimed at improving the general safety of fishing vessels. Chief among these is the introduction of comprehensive legislation to cover the construction, stability and equipment (including radio) requirements, for fishing vessels of all sizes. It also recommends, as a matter of priority, that the fitting of emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) be made mandatory on all but the smallest of inshore fishing vessels. The beacons emit radio signals when activated or on contact with water. The fitting of liferafts should also be mandatory on all fishing vessels and they should be secured by hydrostatic release units so they can float-free in the event of the vessels sinking.
The Government attaches particular priority to the issue of fishing vessel safety and I am taking steps to ensure accelerated progress with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group, particularly in the area of fleet development. This group was established following the tragic loss of theCarrickatine. The programme being pursued following the review group's report of May 1996 is as follows.
The report of the review group indicated that in the absence of incentives for the renewal of the fleet there would be little improvement in the age structure and safety status of the fleet. Accordingly, I have given top priority to the introduction of the programme for the renewal of the whitefish fleet. The programme involves a grant aid support scheme and tax incentives are provided for in the 1998 Finance Act. The programme is designed to promote investment in the whitefish fleet with the introduction of a number of new and modern second-hand vessels into the fleet. In this connection, I recently approved over £12 million in State-EU grant and aid supporting investment of over £50 million for the introduction of 31 new vessels into the whitefish fleet. I propose to shortly announce funding towards a number of modern second-hand vessels. In addition, a targeted modernisation scheme and support for essential safety equipment for vessels will modernise the vessels in the fleet and contribute to improved safety.
I would, in particular, draw the attention of the Deputy to the vessel safety equipment scheme under that programme, which provided for grant aid of 50 per cent for the purchase and fitting of essential safety gear. I have announced three rounds of approvals to date under this scheme. I consider this vessel safety equipment scheme to be of vital importance. The aim of this scheme is to encourage vessel owners to fit out vessels with specific on-board safety equipment. Improved safety equipment on board vessels can play a vital part in the ongoing battle to protect life at sea; the recent tragedies at sea bring home to us all the perilous working conditions that fishermen endure.
I am generally very pleased at the high level of interest in the programme for renewal of the whitefish fleet. It underlines the appetite and need for reinvestment in the fleet right around the coast and confirms that the incentives on offer are proving attractive to a wide range of fishermen. I would, nevertheless, strongly encourage fishermen to avail of this unique funding opportunity to install vital safety equipment. I am determined to ensure that the scheme fully delivers on the Government's objectives to revitalise the whitefish fleet and to support safety, jobs and competitiveness in the sector to the benefit of our coastal communities.
Concern was expressed by the review group at the number of unregistered fishing vessels operating in Irish waters, many of which are small and in poor condition. The group considered that these vessels constitute a serious threat to safety and recommended that this situation be addressed. Under a special scheme approved by the European Commission, the position of previously unregistered vessels in the fishing fleet is being regularised. Over 600 of some 900 applications under the scheme have been approved for a licence and it is hoped that all of the remaining applications will be processed by the end of this year. The criteria under this scheme for registration require, among other matters, that vessels undergo a condition survey report in order to ensure that the vessel is safe and seaworthy. This represents a significant improvement in our safety regulatory framework and in our safety standards for small fishing vessels in particular.
Safety training, which is vital to protect the lives of fishing vessel crews in the event of an accident at sea, continues to be provided in an accessible manner through BIM's two mobile training units in response to demand at various locations around the coast. In addition, the construction of a new fisheries training centre in Castletownbere is nearing completion. The centre, which will deliver safety skills instruction to fishermen in the south coast region, is targeted to be operational in early 1999. The principal objective of BIM's coastal training programme is to generate a health and safety culture within the small scale fishing sector in particular.
Funding under the EU's Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Programme has been secured towards a new training initiative aimed at the spouses and families of small scale coastal fishermen. It is hoped that the relatives of fishermen can exert a positive influence in the promotion of good safety practices on board small fishing vessels. This pilot initiative, which is being run by BIM in co-operation with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Comharcumann Inis Méain Teo. and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, will target 12 venues over the course of 18 months.
Considerable progress has already been made in the field of onshore marine radio communications. My Department's Irish Marine Emergency Service has arranged for the installation of new medium frequency transmitters at Rosslare and Belmullet with enhanced radio coverage and improved emergency response for fishing vessels operating in the Irish Sea and off the north west coast. In addition, my Department has recently placed a contract for the installation of VHF digital selective calling (DSC) equipment at coast radio stations and other VHF sites around the coast and this work is due for completion at the end of next year. Ireland will then be in a position to declare an enhanced area (known as an A1 + A2 Sea Area), under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which will facilitate automatic distress signal reception from vessels fitted with VHF DSC working in or transiting our search and rescue area of responsibility.
The review group identified a need for a substantial improvement in safety awareness among Irish fishermen. In recognition of this requirement, my Department's marine safety working group has published three practical information booklets specifically for fishing vessels. These user-friendly publications deal with machinery failure, man overboard procedures and emergency procedures. Furthermore, it is intended to shortly publish GMDSS guidelines for small boat users, including fishermen, in European waters. The promulgation of this series of safety information booklets can play an important part in fostering an ethos of safety consciousness in the fishing industry.
Notwithstanding the ongoing improvements in the areas of fleet development, safety training, on-shore marine radio communications and safety awareness, a programme is under way to underpin the development of a safety culture in the fishing sector through the introduction of the comprehensive safety regulations recommended by the review group.
The preparation of the proposed safety regulations governing fishing vessels is well under way. Regulations have already been drafted to implement European Council Directive 97/70/EC setting up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over. These regulations, which are currently being finalised by the Attorney General's office, cover,inter alia, construction, stability, machinery, fire protection, life-saving appliances and radio communications. Vessels under 24 metres in length will also be addressed by the introduction of regulations for appropriate size categories of smaller vessels operating out of our fishing ports.
Draft radio rules have also been prepared, specifying the radio communications equipment, including emergency position indicating radio beacons, to be carried on all sizes of fishing vessels. I propose to introduce these rules, which are currently being finalised, at an early date. I also intend to bring in new regulations for the crews of fishing vessels, which will cover safety training and increased manning requirements, in line with the review group's recommendations in this regard.
In the context of health and safety in the workplace, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who has responsibility for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), is to shortly introduce regulations to give effect to European Council Directive 93/103/EC on the minimum safety and health requirements for work on board fishing vessels. These regulations, which are being prepared in consultation with my Department, will provide for its joint implementation by the HSA and my Department, having regard to respective areas of competence.
My Department, and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, together with the Health and Safety Authority where appropriate, will continue, in partnership with the fishing industry, to implement the safety programme outlined above. Our shared objective is to ensure that the priority now given to improving and maintaining safety standards will continue as a permanent and integral part of the management of our fishing fleet.
I have already accepted the general thrust and content of the recently published report of the investigation of Marine Casualties Policy Review Group which was set up to review the existing policy, procedures and legislative framework for maritime casualty investigation in Ireland.
The key recommendation of the review group is the establishment of an independent marine casualty investigation board, with enhanced powers to investigate marine casualties and to expeditiously publish reports of the board's findings.
Drafting of a Bill to introduce the required legislative framework to implement this key recommendation is under way in my Department and I intend bringing proposals to Government in the new year.
