Wearing a Lifejacket. What is the Law in Ireland?

26th April 2013

A life-jacket is a Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) and is a statutory requirement for pleasure craft in Ireland. There must be suitable PFDs for everyone on board any pleasure craft and must be worn in the following situations:

1.      By anyone on board an open craft that is under 7 meters in length;
2.      By anyone on deck on a craft that is under 7 meters length;
3.      By anyone under the age of 16 on board an open craft or on deck of any other type of craft;
4.      By anyone being towed in another craft or on any other device (skis, donuts etc.);
5.      By anyone on a personal watercraft (jet ski).

Exceptions are when:

·         Tied up alongside or made fast to an anchor, marina, pier or mooring;
·         Immediately prior to, during and after swimming from a craft that is not moving through the water;
·         Putting on, wearing or taking off diving equipment on a craft that is not moving through the water.

Published in Marine Warning

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Lifejacket

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