Kilkee Boat And Fishing Club Kilkee Co. Clare

Information

Recreational boats in Ireland are regulated in different ways depending on their size and what they are used for. The use of safety equipment is governed by different laws for commercial, fishing and private vessels. Age restrictions apply to the use of certain mechanically propelled pleasure craft such as jet-skis and the consumption of alcohol or drugs while using these craft is also restricted. Sailing is governed by the Irish Sailing Association, which offers details of courses in sailing around Ireland. If a person owns a boat and wishes to install radio equipment on it, he or she must apply for a licence and may have to sit a radio operation examination.

Rules

Safety equipment

Safety regulations governing the use of boats are specific to different kinds of vessel.

Every shipping vessel, regardless of size, must carry lifejackets/personal flotation devices for each person on board.

Everyone on board a vessel of less than 23 feet (7.0 metres) in length must wear a lifejacket/personal flotation device.

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, passenger ships that are licensed to carry more than 12 people are required to pass an annual safety inspection carried out by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Passenger ships licensed to carry more than 12 people

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, passenger ships that are licensed to carry more than 12 people are required to pass an annual safety inspection carried out by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Fishing vessels

The use of safety equipment on fishing boats is regulated by the Fishing Vessel (Personal Flotation Devices) Regulations, 2001. The Regulations state that a lifejacket or personal flotation device must be provided for every crew member on any fishing vessel registered and licensed in Ireland. The crew members must wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device at all times when on an exposed deck or at all times on open vessels that do not have internal accommodation. This applies equally whether the boat is at sea, in harbour or coming to and from moorings. In addition, the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1967 and the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving) (Amendment) Rules, 1999 mandate that the skipper of the vessel ensures that all lifejackets are of an approved standard. This means that each lifejacket or personal flotation device should be marked with the initials "CE" to show that it complies with a 1996 EU Directive on marine safety equipment standards.

Pleasure craft

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, as amended by the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, a pleasure craft is defined as any vessel in private ownership used wholly or mainly for sport and recreation purposes. It also covers private vessels that are hired out by third parties, provided that the vessel will be operated only by the hirers and will not require a crew to operate it.

Mechanically Propelled Pleasure Craft

The use of safety equipment on any mechanically-propelled pleasure craft is covered by the Merchant Shipping (Mechanically Propelled Pleasure Craft) (Safety) Regulations 2001 and the Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Craft) (Lifejackets and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2004. This includes motorboats, powerboats, fast powerboats (those than can travel at a speed of 17 knots) and personal watercraft, commonly referred to as jet skis.

Under the 2004 Regulations, every motorboat and powerboat (other than personal watercraft) must have a lifejacket or personal flotation device for every person on board, regardless of the size of the pleasure craft. Anyone using a personal watercraft or jet ski must wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device at all times. Anyone being towed behind a motorboat or powerboat must also wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device at all times.

Certain age restrictions apply to the use of lifejackets or personal flotation device on mechanically propelled pleasure craft. All persons under 16 years of age must wear a lifejacket at all times on all pleasure craft.

Certain age restrictions on the use of mechanically propelled pleasure craft also apply. Under the Regulations, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to operate or control a fast powerboat or a jet ski. For persons under 12, it is illegal to operate or control any mechanically propelled pleasure craft with an engine more powerful than 3.7 kilowatts.

The consumption of alcohol or drugs on board is also restricted by the regulations. Persons operating all pleasure craft must not consume alcohol or drugs and any person on board any mechanically propelled pleasure craft may only consume alcohol or drugs in a manner that does not affect safety or cause a disturbance to the person in control of the craft. If such an offence is committed, both the owner of the craft and the person operating it at the time are each liable on summary conviction for a fine of up to €1,270, up to six months imprisonment or both.

Water sports and recreational boating training

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) is the national governing body representing sailing, windsurfing, power boating and personal watercraft in Ireland. It advises on all aspects of boating safety and has a network of teaching establishments that offer training for all leisure craft in Ireland. This training includes courses in how to operate dinghies, keelboats, catamarans, powerboats, personal watercraft or jet skis and windsurf boards. There are also courses offered in how to become a sea-based or shore-based 'Yacht master'.

Radio installations

• Merchant ships

Under the Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 1992, every passenger ship or cargo ship of 300 Gross Tons or above is required to install a radio installation in compliance with the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

The radio installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving different types of radio communications such as distress alerts and messages, urgency and safety messages, meteorological information and public correspondence. In addition, the installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving locating signals.

• Fishing vessels

Under the Merchant Shipping Fishing Vessel (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, every registered fishing vessel must install a radio installation in compliance with the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

The Maritime Radio Affairs Unit (MRAU), which is a unit within the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport, is responsible for the implementation of these Rules and Regulations and is responsible for surveying and inspecting radio installations and the issuing of Safety Radio Certificates.

The MRAU may also survey or inspect Foreign Registered vessels and in such cases, carries out these tasks in accordance with the standards of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Where a vessel is found to be contravention of any of the above Rules, Regulations and standards and the deficiency is deemed by a Radio Surveyor to have a potentially major impact on the safety of the vessel at sea, the Surveyor has the power to detain the vessel until such time as the deficiency is remedied.

Radio licences

The licensing of maritime radio systems is regulated by the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926. This Act is implemented by the Department of Transport. Every ship that has a radio system installed must also carry a Ship Radio Licence.

While owners of recreational craft, e.g., yachts, sail cruisers, motor cruisers, etc., are not required to install a radio system, nevertheless if they opt to install a radio system on a voluntary basis, they must also carry a Ship Radio Licence on board.

Ship Radio Licences are issued by the Commission following technical approval by the MRAU. An applicant for a licence is required to submit the technical details of the radio equipment installed on the vessel. Download an application form for a ships radio licence (pdf) here.

Every vessel that is equipped with radio equipment must also carry at least one qualified marine radio operator. The qualification's) of the operator's) depends on a number of factors, including the level of radio equipment installed and the trading area of the vessel. Details of Ships Radio Licence Training Course Examiners.

Inland waterways

Inland waterways in Ireland are reserved for recreational and leisure craft, as commercial or freight traffic is prohibited on Ireland's canals and rivers. Private companies offer boat trips and also barges for hire on these waterways.

A licence is not required to operate a boat on inland waterways such as rivers and canals in Ireland. However, if you own your own boat, you have to register it with Waterways Ireland. There is no charge for registration and if you buy the boat second-hand, it may already be registered.

Rates

The Department of Transport is responsible for issuing radio licences. The licence last for lifetime of the vessel and cost €100.

Where to apply

The Irish Sailing Association's provides information on all ISA-approved courses run by sailing clubs, sailing schools and water sport centres around the country.

Irish Sailing Association
3 Park Road
Dun Laoghaire
County Dublin
Tel: +353 1 280 0239
E-mail: info@sailing.ie

The Department of Transport provide information online on different certificates required for operating certain marine radios, their syllabi or course content and a list of course providers and radio examiners around the country.