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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Marine Accidents.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

348 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if an investigation is being conducted by his Department into the circumstances surrounding the loss of a boat (details supplied) off Tory Island; when it is expected that the investigation will be completed; and if it is intended to publish same. [18714/03]

An investigation into the loss of a boat off Tory Island is being carried out by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, an independent body established in June 2002 under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000. Under the Act, the board is required to publish a report of any investigation it undertakes into a marine casualty after having received the observations of parties likely to be adversely affected by the publishing of the report. The Act provides that the board publish its report within nine months from the date of notification of the casualty and that a copy be transmitted to me as soon as it is published.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

349 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a certificate of seaworthiness was granted to a ship (details supplied); and if the vessel was considered seaworthy before setting sail around Ireland. [18715/03]

The vessel Cabin Fever 1, also known as Carrie of Camaret, held a current valid small commercial vessel, SCV2, safety certificate from the UK maritime safety authorities. The maritime safety directorate of my Department issued the vessel with a short-term passenger boat license based on the UK certification and following an inspection of the vessel carried out by the directorate itself. The vessel complied with the statutory requirements for such vessels and was therefore considered seaworthy. In addition to the normal statutory requirements relating to passenger boat licenses the directorate required all of the television show contestants to undergo approved safety training prior to sailing, including personal survival techniques and familiarisation on board the vessel. The directorate also required the wearing of lifejackets by all persons while on deck.

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