Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the operational limits for D-class and delta 7.9 m coastguard boats in Kilkee, County Clare taking into consideration its geographic area, weather conditions and seasonal time frames; and if Kilkee coastguard station is fully operational to allow call-outs for both boats. [45193/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Kilkee Coast Guard Unit operate a D-Class boat in line with the established Coast Guard operating parameters for these boats. The Kilkee Unit has also been provided with a 7.9m Delta RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) for which the crews are currently undergoing training. When this is achieved, Kilkee CGU will have both the D-Class and the 7.9m Delta RHIB available for operational taskings.

 Coast Guard operating parameters for D-Class boats are to operate in conditions up to Beaufort Force 5 winds, a maximum significant wave height of 1.5m and up to 2 nautical miles from the coastline. IRCG 7.9m Delta class boats operate up to Beaufort Force 6 winds, a maximum significant wave height of 2.0m and up to 6 nautical miles from the coastline.