Vol. 550 No. 4
131 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason his Department has allowed the Oileán Árann ferry to operate without side loading ramps; and his views on whether this contravenes safety requirements. [8451/02]
The safe loading, unloading and transportation of cargo is a matter for the master and owner of a vessel and it is their responsibility to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements relating to such operations. I understand that the question relates primarily to loading ramps of the type used to load vehicles from the quay to the vessel. I am advised that the vessel in question is a combined passenger and cargo vessel that operates between Galway and the Aran Islands. I understand that, in general, fixed loading ramps are fitted to vessels in which the carriage of vehicles is part of the vessel's operation, as in the case of a roll-on-roll-off vessel where the owners drive their own vehicles on and off the vessel. I am informed that as the vessel in question is not intended for such operations, it is accordingly not fitted with fixed loading ramps. However, I understand that the vessel is used to transport vehicles such as tractors, cars and small trucks on an irregular basis as cargo. I am advised that the vessel's design, including stability considerations, is suitable for the transportation of such vehicles and I am also advised that arrangements for loading and unloading these vehicles are satisfactory.
132 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason his Department has allowed the Happy Hooker to operate without loadline certificates in view of the fact that it is the standby vessel for a company (details supplied) that has been awarded a public contract to provide ferry services. [8452/02]
The vessel in question is a class IIA passenger vessel that has been certified by my Department to carry 96 passengers in summer and 66 passengers in winter. The vessel is permitted to operate between Galway and the Aran Islands. The vessel does not hold a loadline certificate, which is the certificate necessary for any vessel which proceeds to sea carrying cargo. Accordingly, the vessel may operate as a passenger-carrying vessel in place of the normal ferry operating to the Aran Islands, but it may not carry cargo.
My Department has advised the operators that their vessel would require a loadline certificate to carry cargo that would not be regarded as passengers' personal effects and baggage. However, I have also been advised that the vessel is currently undergoing survey for the renewal of the passenger ship's certificate and that the owners have requested a survey for the issue of a loadline certificate to the vessel.
133 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if boats under 12 metres will be exempt from the registration proposals for small boats as announced recently. [8526/02]
All vehicles, including those under 12 metres in length, which are engaged in commercial sea fishing are legally required to have a sea fishing boat licence and be entered on the Irish and EU fishing boat registers. This is set down in EU regulations which, as the Deputy is aware, are legally binding for member states. Accordingly, it is not possible to exempt commercial fishing vessels under 12 metres from the requirement to be licensed and registered.
