Displaying items by tag: Seafarer Medical Certificate

29th December 2012

Marine Notice: Revised Medical and Energy Efficiency Certificates

#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notices from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advise seafarers and vessel owners of revised medical and energy efficiency certificates that come into force this coming Tuesday 1 January 2013.

Marine Notice No 65 of 2012 contains details of the revised Seafarer Medical Certificate - Form 3 (ENG11) which is being introduced by the DTTAS to ensure continued improvements to seafarer safety.

The redesigned form incorporates additional information on a seafarer's medical fitness, and will be issued by approved doctors from 1 January onwards. All current certificates held by seafarers will remain valid till their expiry dates.

Meanwhile, Marine Notice No 66 of 2012 has full information on the new International Energy Efficiency Certificate which will be required for all ships of 400 GT and over.

The new certificate is based on amendments to MARPOL Annex VI relating to regulation on energy efficiency on board ships.

From 1 January all new build ships will be provided with an IEE Certificate subject to fulfilling relevant criteria. It will only be valid in combination with the Energy Efficience Design Index (EEDI) indicated on the cert, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

Existing ships will be provided with an IEE Certificate at the first intermediate or renewal survey of the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate.

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.