Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Minister for Transport if the recommendations of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board into the grounding and flooding of an Emerald Star cruiser on Lough Derg on 1 July 2006 have been acted on; if a marine notice has been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18003/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Recently, my Department received the report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, referred to by the Deputy. The report relates to an incident on the Shannon system involving a recreational cruiser. The MCIB report makes a number of recommendations in respect of boat rental companies and inland waterways, including the review of the navigation buoyage system. In the overall context of delivering improved maritime safety, these recommendations will be considered by my Department in consultation with, as appropriate, Waterways Ireland, which has responsibility for navigable inland waterways in the North and the South, including the Shannon. The matter of issuing a marine notice will form part of this review.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This incident occurred in July 2006. A recommendation stems from the fact that Emerald Star did not do as it was legally obliged to, namely, to report the incident to the relevant authorities. The Minister stated that the maritime safety directive will issue, but why has it not already issued? The MCIB has called for it and has also recommended that Emerald Star review its procedures. I am thankful that no one died in the incident, but Emerald Star did not ask the boat's crew to disembark and inspect the boat fully as it should have done. Subsequently, the boat took on water.

A number of boat rental companies provide mobile telephones to the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who rent pleasure cruisers weekly. What is the Minister's opinion on VHF equipment, the usage of which on the boats in question has been recommended because it is safer and more effective and efficient than using mobile telephones?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I do not want to go into too much detail concerning the incident in question, the MCIB report recommended that all boat rental companies should report every incident to the relevant authorities and that the Department should issue a marine notice to that effect. Other recommendations related to Emerald Star specifically and called for it to review its procedures in such circumstances. Pursuant to a recommendation for Waterways Ireland and the Coast Guard to establish a buoyage system, a meeting has been arranged. All of the report's recommendations, including that in respect of VHF radio equipment, are the subject of ongoing discussions with the relevant authorities. The Coast Guard and maritime administration intend to arrange a meeting with Waterways Ireland to discuss the recommendations. Waterways Ireland has indicated that it is open to reviewing the buoyage system on the Shannon.

Issuing the marine notice is under consideration by the Coast Guard and maritime administration, which was involved in promoting a safety awareness campaign as part of the ongoing safety programme prior to the recommendations. Among other elements, this involves a series of radio and on-line safety awareness advertisements and publicity campaigns. In recent years, a number of measures focusing on life jackets, enforcing licensing requirements, increased safety awareness and so on have been introduced. On 24 May 2006, a code of practice for the safe operation of recreational craft was launched. There has been an amount of activity as regards this sector and, while all of the recommendations have not yet been implemented, they will be considered and discussed.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the progress. The buoys on the Shannon are red and black, whereas the equivalent colours internationally are red and green. The latter are also the colours used in the North. It is much easier to notice red and green than red and black. Will that be a fundamental part of the rethinking? It would be much safer and, according to the board, a black barrel may not have been noticed by the foreigners driving this vessel. We will not have safety until we adhere to the international standards.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the board.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am glad we dealt with that question without incident.