Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which relates to the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Fishing Vessels) (15 - 24 Metres) Regulations 2007. We can all recall the devastation caused by the fishing vessel tragedies in 2007. In one weekend three fishing vessels sank with the loss of seven fishermen. In total during 2007, 12 fishermen lost their lives in fishing vessels. Each of these was traumatic for the families involved and the devastation for them continues to this day. We had to take action to ensure the safety of fishing vessels and their crews because of these tragedies and the public outcry about poor safety in the fishing industry.

The development of these safety regulations for fishing vessels dates back to the fishing vessel safety review group, which reported in 1996. This group was established against the background of concerns about the safety of fishing vessels and their crews. One key recommendation made by that group was for the establishment of a safety regime for fishing vessels covering stability, strength, hull and machinery. Such a scheme was introduced in 1999 for fishing vessels greater than 24 m and a further scheme was introduced for fishing vessels shorter than 15 m in 2004.

Following several fishing vessel tragedies in 2007, efforts focused on the development of such a scheme for the fishing vessels in the 15 m to 24 m category. The Department of Transport developed regulations for these vessels based on international standards and these regulations were subject to extensive public consultations, following which, the regulations entered into force in September of that year. Fishing vessels within the scope of the regulations are required to undergo a survey and to be issued with a fishing vessel safety certificate. The regulations were implemented on a phased basis and came into operation as follows: on 1 October 2007, for new vessels; on 1 October 2008, for existing vessels the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 October 1997; on 1 October 2009, for existing vessels the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 October 1987; and on 1 October 2010, for existing vessels the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction before 1 October 1987.

The Department of Transport engaged extensively with those in the fishing industry to inform them of the regulations. We held regular meetings with industry representatives after the regulations came into force in 2007 and the MSO provided regional seminars to inform fishing vessel operators of the requirements. The office continues to work with the fishing vessel owners in connection with them achieving compliance for their vessels.

To date, a total of 91 vessels in the 15 m to 24 m range have been issued or have been cleared to be issued with a certificate. The MSO continues to issue interim certification to fishing vessels that have successfully met the minimum construction, stability and safety equipment requirements but which have not completely fulfilled all the other requirements of the regulations. This has enabled the owners of such vessels to continue fishing and to schedule the work for full compliance in agreement with the MSO. In addition, there are approximately 40 fishing vessels whose owners have contacted the Department and whose vessels have yet to complete the survey. These are at varying stages of completion. A number of these will shortly be issued with certificates of clearance to operate. However, a number have been found to have serious safety deficiencies that pose an immediate risk to the safety of the vessel and to the crew. These cannot be issued with a certificate until such deficiencies have been rectified.

The MSO also estimates that a further 20 vessel owners in this category have not made contact with the office regarding arranging the necessary survey. In these cases such vessels cannot be issued with a certificate. The office works closely with the sea fisheries administration, SFA, of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as the SFA under legislation cannot issue a commercial fishing licence to a vessel that does not comply with the safety regulations. Fast-track procedures are in place so that as soon as a vessel reaches compliant status, the SFA is informed by the Marine Survey Office, thus enabling the fishing vessel licensing process to be initiated in tandem with the process for the issue of the certificate.

The introduction of these regulations formed an important part of the Department's programme to improve maritime safety and in particular to reduce the number of deaths and injuries in the fishing industry, which have in the past so seriously affected our coastal communities. The 15 m to 24 m segment of the fleet is the final segment of the fishing vessel fleet to be brought under a safety survey regime. I, therefore, encourage any vessel owner who has yet to apply to do so now and to engage with the MSO on progressing his or her vessel towards compliance.

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