Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of complaints (details supplied) he has received; the investigations and actions which were taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37789/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The maritime safety directorate, MSD, of the Department is, among other things, the national authority with responsibility for the promotion, regulation and enforcement of maritime safety. It has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea, including on fishing vessels and pleasure craft.

The enforcement of regulations governing the safety of vessels is carried out by the staff of the directorate, which undertakes a variety of control measures, including detailed vessel surveys and unannounced operational inspections. Licence conditions relating to manning levels, maximum passenger numbers allowed and the continued availability of safety equipment are among the issues the inspectors focus on. Vessels found in breach of licensing conditions are detained until the reasons for detention have been rectified.

During 2005, action was taken by surveyors of the MSD in regard to four specific maritime safety incidents in County Wexford. Of the two complaints received in regard to passenger boats, one related to the grounding of a yacht and the other was in respect of a fishing vessel that was found to be in an unsafe condition and was subsequently detained. I understand there is also an independent marine casualty investigation ongoing in regard to the recent drowning at Cullenstown. Concerns were also raised about the use of leisure power craft, jet skis, in the Slaney estuary which can now be addressed by the local authority in accordance with the provisions of the Maritime Safety Act 2005.

All complaints, sometime anonymous, which are brought to the attention of the MSD alleging unlicensed or illegal operation of passenger vessels or licensed vessels in breach of their licence conditions are followed up as part of that office's work programme.