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Dermot Ahern announces New Safety Measures
Dublin, Sunday, 8th September 2002
Dermot Ahern T.D. Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has announced that he is bringing forward the date of commencement of the new Passenger Boat Regulations from 6 June, 2003 to 1 January, 2003. All passenger boats will be required to have a licence to operate from that date. This is the first step in the Minister’s recently announced review of safety measures for small watercraft.
Minister Ahern said, “this effectively means that from January next every boat carrying passengers for reward must have a licence and comply with statutory requirements laid down in legislation. Any person found operating illegally after this date will be subject to the full rigours of the law. The overall result will be a safer regime where the public have a right and expectation to know that the boat they are on complies with safety standards.”
To qualify for such a licence each boat must be inspected by a Marine Surveyor to ensure that it satisfies the requirements laid down in legislation with regard to safety and equipment.
The Minister also announced that his Department is organising a series of Information Seminars to promote safety awareness and in particular to publicise the requirements for boat owners and operators under the new regulations. The Seminars will commence in October and interested parties will be notified and invited to attend at different venues throughout the country. Experts from the Directorate for Maritime Safety will be on hand to answer any technical and general queries regarding the new legislation. “These seminars are being organised to ensure that vessel owners and operators have comprehensive information and advice to hand on what will be required under the new Regulations” Minister Ahern said.
The Minister said that technical and administrative personnel in his Department will be available to assist the industry in every way possible in complying with the new Regulations.
The review of safety in the leisure sector is ongoing in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Minister will shortly be publishing a consultation paper on safety matters. “My primary concern now is put in place a regime of regulation, enforcement and public awareness, which will end the dreadful cycle of avoidable tragedies in our waters” Minister Ahern said. “Today’s announcement is a first step in this new regime”.
ENDS
Note:
Application Forms to apply for passenger boat licences are available on request from the Chief Surveyor, Marine Surveyors Office, 26/27 Eden Quay, Dublin 1 (ph: 01 8777463 Fax 01 8724491).
For further information, please contact: Tom Mc Loughlin
Press Officer
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Leeson Lane ,Dublin 2
Tel: +353-(0) 1-619-9662
Fax: +353-(0) 1-676-6161
Photo: None Available
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