The Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. today announced the introduction of comprehensive new safety measures for fishing vessels in the 15-24 metre length category. 

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said: "Working at sea is a hazardous life. I want to see the risks involved minimised as far as possible.  The safety of fishing vessels is very important and these regulations will make a real difference for many who make their living from the sea."

  "The new Regulations are a key part of a programme to prevent casualties at sea by setting high safety standards and ensuring regular surveys and certification of vessels. The objective is to provide improved safety and ultimately to save lives. I want to express my sincere thanks to all those who engaged in the lengthy consultation process that preceded these regulations. "

The new Regulations will apply to all Irish registered fishing vessels in the 15-24 metre length category (approx 200 vessels). They will apply on a phased basis beginning with new vessels with effect from 1 October 2007 and to other age categories on an annual basis thereafter. The Regulations are a comprehensive set of provisions relating to the construction of vessels, the stability of vessels, machinery and equipment, fire protection, life saving appliances, radio communications, navigation equipment, and crew accommodation.

Once the Regulations come into force for a particular vessel age category, those vessels will be subject to survey and certification by the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport.  Compliance with the safety regime will be a requirement for the issue or renewal of sea-fishing licences by the Registrar General of Fishing Boats (under the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources).

The introduction of the Regulations is the latest development in a phased approach aimed at improving safety measures on all fishing vessels. All fishing vessels are now encompassed within the safety regime.  Vessels of less than 15 metre length are already covered by a Code of Practice and vessels of over 24 metre length are covered by the 2002 Safety Regulations. 

The Minister also referred to his decision to raise the vessels the Pere Charles and the Maggie B, which sank off the south-east coast last year with the loss of seven lives.  The contract has been offered to a company, following a tendering process, and a decision is expected shortly.  "The raising of the two trawlers will allow me to determine if any further improvements are needed in the specified standards for the seaworthiness of fishing vessels. We must learn from these tragedies." said the Minister.

For further information

Contact Press Office, Department of Transport, at (01) 604 1090/91.

ENDS

Notes

The new Regulations are the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Fishing Vessels) (15-24 Metres) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 640 of 2007)

1.Under the Fisheries Acts (a) it is a condition of a sea-fishing boat licence tha the licensee ensures that the licensed boat complies with requirements specified by or under the Merchant Shipping Acts, and (b) where a survey is required the Registrar General of Fishing Boats may not grant or renew a sea-fishing boat licence unless he or she is satisfied that the boat complies with such requirements.

2.The Code of Practice for Fishing Vessels under 15 metres in length overall was published in April 2004.

3.The Regulations for fishing vessels of overall are the Fishing Vessel (Safety Provisions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 418 of 2002).

4.The new Regulations, the existing Regulations for Fishing Vessels of over 24 metres length, and the Code of Practice for Fishing Vessels of less than 15 metres, are available on the Department of Transport website www.transport.ie.

5.Since 2002, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board has investigated 8 incidents involving 15-24 metre fishing vessels.  Their website is www.mcib.ie