Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for all life jackets on fishing vessels to contain a GPS tracking device to make it easier to search for lost fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14651/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Currently all Irish registered fishing vessels are required to be fitted with Emergency Indicating Position Beacons (EPIRBS). All fishing vessels over 12 metres in length must carry an automatically activating float-free automatic EPIRB and vessels less than 12 metres LOA (length over all) only have to carry a manually operated EPIRB. Officials from my Department are examining, in conjunction with Bord Iascaigh Mhara, issues relating to the carriage of Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) by fishermen as an enhancement to existing measures. The effectiveness of such electronic devices when used in conjunction with existing safety measures such as life-jackets and Personal Floatation Devices needs to be assessed.

The current requirements in relation to the wearing of life-jackets on fishing vessels are set out in the Fishing Vessel (Personal Flotation Devices) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 586 of 2001). Under the regulations every fishing vessel must carry a suitable personal flotation device for every person on board. The personal flotation device must be worn at all times by the crew of the fishing vessel, when on the exposed deck of the vessel, or, in the case of open un-decked vessels, on board the vessel, whether at sea, in harbour or coming to and from moorings.