The Department of Transport is reminding all masters, owners and users of recreational craft of the need to think and prepare before going out on the water.

All owners and users of recreational craft should follow this checklist of basic requirements and advice both before going on the water and while on the water:

✓ Get training from an approved training provider in the correct use of the type of craft you wish to use;

✓ Wear a suitable personal flotation device/lifejacket: Know about the legal requirements in relation to the wearing and carrying of PFDs/lifejackets and the need for the proper care and maintenance of such devices. Select the proper type based on activity or boating conditions. See Marine Notice No 32 of 2019 for further information;

✓ Check current weather forecasts and sea/lake/river conditions prior to departure and plan your voyage accordingly;

✓ Check for any hazards and risks and prepare a passage plan;

✓ Avoid operating alone: There are increased risks involved with single person operation when there is nobody else on board or nearby to help you or to raise the alarm. Make sure you have an effective means of quickly re-boarding the boat in the event that you fall overboard;

✓ Carry out pre-departure safety checks and briefing: Check your craft and safety equipment. All persons on board should know what to do in the event of an emergency, where the safety/emergency equipment is on board, eg flares, radio equipment, lifejackets, etc and how to use the equipment;

✓ Tell someone about the plans for your trip: A designated person ashore should know your departure and return times, where you are going, and what to do to raise the alarm if necessary;

✓ Bring a dependable means of communication: VHF radio equipment is the recommended method of communication and craft users should be familiar with its use; reference Marine Notice No 70 of 2022. Mobile phones should not be relied on and should only be considered as a back-up means of communication. Where mobile phone use is proposed, the phone should be in a waterproof pouch with a lanyard, be fully charged at all times and the signal strength and charge indicator should be regularly checked while the vessel is under way;

✓ Emergency beacons: Consider having a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or an Emergency Position Indicating Beacon (EPIRB) as appropriate. See Marine Notice No 25 of 2010 as amended, Marine Notice No 38 of 2013 and Marine Notice No 70 of 2022 for further information, including in relation to registration of PLBs and EPIRBs;

✓ Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or during a trip: When operating a recreational craft, a person must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol;

✓ Be aware of and recognise the symptoms of fatigue: Get proper sleep and rest before your journey;

✓ Relax and float: If you fall into the water, the initial shock of being in cold water can cause you to gasp and panic. Stay calm and relax. Try to float or tread water while you catch your breath. A properly fitted lifejacket will keep your head above water, ensuring you gasp air. Try to get hold of something that will help you float and get as much of your body out of the water as possible. To lessen heat escape, keep your legs together with arms/elbows by your side. Once you are calm, call for help;

✓ Wear suitable clothing and footwear;

✓ In a marine emergency, raise the alarm on VHF Channel 16 or call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

The Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft provides information on the legislation that applies to recreational craft, as well as safety advice and best practice operational guidance for owners, masters, operators and users of a range of pleasure and recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters.

The code highlights the importance of personal responsibility for all those who take to the water. Each person must take maritime safety seriously, prepare and plan for a safe trip, behave responsibly on the water and be properly equipped to be able to respond to any incidents that may arise.

A revised Code of Practice is being developed following a review of the 2017 edition within the Irish Maritime Directorate and consultation with the public and key stakeholders. An updated edition will be published later in 2023.

Additional online publications in relation to safety on the water are available at Gov.ie.

The deadline for submissions in the public consultation on a review of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft has been extended to 5pm on Friday 9 December.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the Department of Transport reached out to stakeholders in the marine sector last month as it begins the process to review the Code of Practice, the latest edition of which was published in 2017.

The Code of Practice provides information on the legislation that applies to recreational craft, as well as safety information, advice and best-practice guidance for owners, operators and users of a range of recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters.

It’s proposed that the review will look at the content, structure and design of the Code, including at ways to improve the understanding of the content for end users, both in terms of presentation and layout.

For more details, see Marine Notice No 75 of 2022 (Amended) which is attached below.

In response to Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) recommendations, Marine Notice No 42 of 2022 from the Department of Transport draws attention to the safety advice and recommendations in Chapter 8 of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft in relation to rowing boats.

Particular attention is drawn to the following advice:

1. Training: Persons involved in rowing activities should undertake appropriate training. Information on approved courses may be obtained from course providers including Rowing Ireland and the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation.

2. Safety advice and recommendations: Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4 of the Code of Practice provide a list of important safety recommendations and checks that should be followed. These include the following:

• Keep all rowing equipment in good order and inspect the equipment regularly.
• Prior to a crew embarking, boats should be checked to confirm they are safe, free of
  leaks and that all moving parts are functioning.
• Coaching launches should be on the water at all times when rowing craft are in use.
• Unescorted outings are not encouraged and, if undertaken, a designated person ashore should know the departure times, destinations and return times.
• All persons should be capable of swimming 100m while wearing light clothing.
• All boat coxswains should wear an approved personal flotation device/lifejacket at all times.

Part A (Chapter 1) of the Code of Practice outlines the legislative requirements that apply to all recreational craft or specific types or sizes of craft. Owners and operators must comply with the requirements appropriate to their craft.

3. Navigation, hazards and weather: Coaches, coxswains and crew should at all times be aware of local navigation rules, including any possible hazards or potential dangers arising from tidal stream or wind that may prevail locally.

Boats should not be used at night unless they comply with the requirements of the International Collision Regulations regarding navigation lights.

Boats should not be operated in weather or tide conditions that may compromise their low freeboard and stability.

It is important to risk assess local conditions, currents, etc. prior to putting craft into the water. Boats should not be operated in waters that are beyond the capabilities of the crew or the boats concerned.

Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia when wet or exposed to the elements.

4. Personal flotation devices/lifejackets and other safety equipment: All persons on board any craft of less than 7 metres in length must wear a personal flotation device or a lifejacket.

Where an exemption to this requirement is being applied in the case of rowers in boats designed and specifically used for rowing in boat races and which are capable of being entered into regattas or other events recognised by Rowing Ireland or in the case of rowers in boats of a design and type that are used in the Olympic games or other international rowing regattas, it is most important that a coach and/or safety boat is in attendance at all times and that other safety precautions are followed.

Operators of safety boats should be suitably qualified and boats should be suitably identified by markings or warning flags to alert other craft in the area that there are rowing boats on the water.

Coach/safety boats should at a minimum carry the following items of equipment:

• Suitable bailer
• Suitable inflatable pump – if an inflatable is used as a rescue boat
• A throw bag with at least 10m of buoyant line
• A sound signalling device – air or aerosol powered klaxon
• Thermal exposure blankets
• Lifebuoys or additional personal flotation devices/lifejackets to assist persons in the water – one for each crew member on the rowing boat
• Suitable First Aid Kit
• Anchor and line
• Knife
• Engine Kill Cord to be used by the engine operator
• Paddle
• Suitable handholds fixed to the side of the boat – to assist persons being rescued

5. Dependable means of communication: It is important to consider and establish effective means of communication, other than by solely using mobile phone technology, for the specific location of the activities to be undertaken.

As outlined in Marine Notice No 32 of 2022, the Code of Practice is a free document. Hard copies can be obtained on request, in both English and Irish, from the Maritime Safety Policy Division of the Department at [email protected].

The Code and individual chapters are available to view or download from gov.ie and a list of updates to the 2017 edition of the Code is also available. A PDF of Chapter 8 is attached below.

All recreational craft users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Code of Practice, to heed the safety advice and recommendations and to spread the word regarding the Code of Practice and its availability.

Canoeists, kayakers and relevant organisations are again being encouraged by the Department of Transport to review Chapter 7 of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.

This chapter gives advice to canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts on actions to take prior to taking to the water, including details on appropriate training and information on personal safety equipment.

Information is also provided in relation to additional precautions to be observed when sea kayaking, river kayaking and canoeing.

Particular attention is drawn to the following advice:

1. Training: Before taking to the water in a canoe or kayak, it is recommended that all persons undertake a recognised training course in the correct use of the craft involved, including relevant rescue and recovery drills. Information regarding training courses and registered training providers is available on the Canoeing Ireland website at www.canoe.ie.

2. Before entering the water: Sections 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of the Code of Practice list important safety actions and checks to be undertaken prior to entering the water. These include being able to swim, never operating alone, the inspection of craft and equipment, the wearing of a suitable personal flotation device/lifejacket, having a dependable means of communication, ensuring someone is aware of your intended departure, location and return details and ensuring that you are wearing suitable clothing and footwear for the area of operation and time of year.

3. Sea and river kayakers should observe additional precautions including:

• Check the weather forecast and sea area forecast. Only operate within your limits and ability. Canoeing/kayaking in a wind Force 4 or above should only be considered for the very experienced.
• Be aware of the tidal conditions or water levels for the areas that you are operating in.
• Be aware of the effects of interaction between wind and tide on sea states.
• Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia when wet or exposed to the elements.
• Have a passage plan and alternative emergency plans, e.g. safe landing area down wind.
• Assess and study potential courses for hidden dangers, snags, hazards, currents, etc., prior to putting craft into the water.

4. Dependable means of communication: Mobile phones should not be relied on as the primary method of contacting the emergency services. Marine VHF radio equipment is the recommended method of communication and craft users should be familiar with its use. Where mobile phone use is proposed, the phone should at all times be fully charged and the signal strength and charge indicator should be regularly checked while the vessel is underway. For further advice and information, please see Marine Notice No 40 of 2019 (Limitations of Mobile Phone Use for Emergency Communication at Sea).

As outlined in Marine Notice No 32 of 2022, the Code of Practice is a free document. Hard copies can be obtained on request, in both English and Irish, from the Maritime Safety Policy Division of the Department at email [email protected].

The Code and individual chapters are available to view or download from gov.ie and a list of updates to the 2017 edition of the Code is also available. A PDF of Chapter 7 is attached below.

All recreational craft users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Code of Practice, to heed the safety advice and recommendations and to spread the word regarding the Code of Practice and its availability.

The Department of Transport has issued a reminder to all masters, owners and users of pleasure and recreational craft of the existence of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft.

As previously highlighted on Afloat.ie, the Code of Practice is intended for use by owners, operators and users of all pleasure and recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters. It is a key marine safety document that contains information on legislative requirements, safe operation and advice on best practice when using a range of recreational craft.

The Code of Practice is available to download as a free PDF from gov.ie and is also available in hardcopy format. For more details in the Code of Practice and how to get it, see Marine Notice No 32 of 2022 attached below.