Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will introduce new regulations on the issue of overloading of private leisure boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46483/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's approach to maritime safety involves an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, safety awareness promotion and enforcement. The balance to be struck between regulation and safety awareness promotion has a particular significance in relation to recreational craft, which are intended for leisure and sporting purposes. It is the responsibility of owners and operators of recreational craft to ensure that a vessel is properly operated, equipped and maintained.

To assist them my Department developed and published in 2006, the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft following a public consultation process. The Code sets out in a user-friendly way, the legislative requirements and standards relating to recreational craft and guidance on best practice. It includes information on legal requirements on voyage planning relating to amongst other things, the capability of the boat, pre-departure safety checks and safety equipment.

The Code also outlines the requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) which has been transposed into Irish law. The RCD provides that recreational craft placed on the market since June 1998 must comply with specified safety requirements. These requirements include being appropriately marked with the number of persons recommended by the manufacturer for which the boat is designed to carry when underway and the manufacturer's maximum recommended load for which the boat is designed.

The Code of Practice gives advice to members of the public on the purchasing of recreational craft having regard to the requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive.

I consider that the legislation in place together with the Code of Practice is an appropriate and proportional response to addressing the issue of overloading on recreational craft. If observed they can save lives. There is an onus on all of us to take personal responsibility for our safety whether on the roads or on the water.