Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 62:

In page 23, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:

47.—(1) (a) No change shall be made in the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements and material of a ship covered by a survey under the highspeed craft rules, other than by direct replacement, without the approval of the Minister or a person authorised by him or her for such purpose.

(b) Repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character, and outfitting related thereto, in relation to a ship to which this Chapter applies, constructed on or before 1 July 2002 are required to meet the requirements for a ship constructed on or after 1 July 2002 insofar as may be directed by the Minister.

(2) (a) Where the high-speed craft rules require that a particular fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type of it, must be fitted or carried in a ship to which this Chapter applies, or that any particular provision must be made, the Minister, if he or she is satisfied, by trial of it or otherwise, that such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by the rules, may allow such fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision.

(b) Where compliance with any of the requirements of the high-speed craft rules would be impracticable in relation to the particular or novel design of a ship to which this section applies, the Minister may agree for the substitution of alternative requirements provided that he or she is satisfied that such arrangements provide equivalent safety.

(3) Following receipt of a report referred to in section 46(4)(a)** the Chief Surveyor or other surveyor of ships notified shall—

(a) if the ship is in the jurisdiction of another state to which the Safety Convention applies, ensure that the matter is reported by the master or owner of the ship to the appropriate authorities of the government of that state, and

(b) arrange for any additional survey which in his or her opinion may be required in the circumstances under the high-speed craft rules.".

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