Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of occasions, if any, that the Marine Survey Office has prosecuted fishing vessel owners for switching off their vessel’s automatic identification system in contravention of SI No. 640 of 2007, Merchant Shipping (Safety of Fishing Vessels) (15 to 24 metres) Regulations 2007 section 10 paragraphs (6) and (7); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48209/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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An Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a broadcast transponder system operating in the VHF maritime mobile band and forms part of the shipborne navigational systems. AIS transponder equipment is used on ships to provide information about the vessel to other vessels and to coastal authorities. The AIS carriage requirement for fishing vessels in the 15m to 24m length range is set out in Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 640 of 2007. Regulation 146 paragraphs (6) and (7) of this Statutory Instrument requires an AIS to be fitted onboard which shall meet the performance standards drawn up by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Marine Survey Office (MSO) implements compliance with these requirements by means of a survey and certification programme. Vessels which meet the requirements of the Regulations are issued with a Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate.

The Sea Fisheries Administration of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine requires a fishing vessel to hold such a Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate demonstrating compliance with the statutory requirements before the issue of a Sea-Fishing Boat Licence. The MSO enforces the requirements during its flag state and port state obligations and also enforces the requirements by other methods such as the imposition of deficiencies and detention of vessels, with prosecutions being sought in more serious cases. The offence in the Regulations relates to the non-carriage of the required AIS and there has been no such prosecutions.