Displaying items by tag: Marine Notice
Prohibitions on the Consumption of Alcohol and/or Drugs When Operating Recreational Craft
The Irish Maritime Administration at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has issued a Marine Notice to remind the public of the law in relation to being under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs when operating or while on board a recreational craft or any vessel in Irish waters, or on board vessels or objects being towed by recreational craft.
The recently published Annual Report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) highlights the fact that alcohol or drug consumption continues to be a factor in marine incidents, including incidents involving recreational craft. Successive MCIB Annual Reports have shown that incidents are occurring where diminished human performance and impairment due to the effects of alcohol and / or drug consumption have been primary causes or contributing factors, leading to the loss of life in some cases. In the recent Annual Report, the MCIB Board reminds all vessel operators of the need to take personal responsibility and to ensure that they are fit to undertake their planned voyage.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport wishes to remind all recreational craft users that it is the responsibility of each individual taking to the water to be mindful of their own safety:
• YOU must take personal responsibility for your actions on the water.
• YOU must avoid alcohol and drugs before or during a voyage.
• If you fail to operate safely and to comply with the law in relation to alcohol and drug consumption YOU put your life and your vessel at risk as well as the lives of others, including members of the rescue services.
• It is against the law to consume alcohol and drugs in circumstances that could affect the safety of others on board or others using Irish waters, or create a disturbance on board or be a nuisance to others using Irish waters.
• Alcohol speeds up the rate of body cooling and thus increases the risk of hypothermia in the event that you fall into the water.
Regulations 8 and 9 of the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 [S.I. No. 921 of 2005], as amended, set out the law regarding the consumption of alcohol or drugs while on board a pleasure craft, including prohibitions on operating a pleasure craft while under the influence. Failure to comply with the law can result in a fixed payment of €150 and/or prosecution proceedings which, on summary conviction, can lead to a fine of up to €5,000. A pleasure craft includes personal watercraft, such as jet skis, and fast power craft.
Sections 28 to 30 of the Maritime Safety Act 2005 (No. 11 of 2005) contain a range of provisions relating to the prohibition on operating or being on board a vessel in Irish waters while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the associated penalties. These include the following prohibitions:
1. A person in command or in charge or another member of the crew of a vessel in Irish waters (or an Irish ship in waters anywhere) must not operate or control or attempt to operate or control the vessel or carry out any task or duty in relation to the operation or control of the vessel while he or she is under the influence of alcohol or a drug or any combination of drugs, or drugs and alcohol to such an extent as to be incapable of properly controlling or operating the vessel or carrying out the task or duty (section 28).
2. A person on board a vessel in Irish waters (or an Irish ship in waters anywhere) must not consume alcohol or take a drug or any combination of drugs or drugs and alcohol while on board the vessel in circumstances which could affect the safety of persons or create a disturbance or serious nuisance on board the vessel or affect the safety of other persons using Irish waters or constitute a nuisance to such persons (section 30).
3. Failure to comply with the above requirements is an offence and the person is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both.
4. If a person in command or in charge or another member of the crew of a vessel is, while on duty, under the influence of alcohol or a drug or any combination of drugs or drugs and alcohol to such an extent that his or her ability to discharge his or her duties is impaired, he or she commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 (section 29).
5. A person on board a vessel in Irish waters (or on an Irish ship in waters anywhere) who through any deliberate or reckless action or by reason of being under the influence of alcohol or a drug or any combination of drugs or drugs and alcohol puts at risk or endangers the safety, security or seaworthiness of the vessel or the lives or safety of persons on board commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both (section 32).
Irish Maritime Administration
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60, Ireland.
Marine Notice: Cable Route Survey In Irish Territorial Waters
#MarineNotice - Fugro is currently carrying out marine operations for the HAVFRUE Subsea Cable System Project, further to its work carried out in January.
The current survey within Irish territorial waters off the North West Coast began on Wednesday 14 March and is expected to run till midweek next week.
The MV Fugro Discovery (Callsign 3EKE6) is surveying on Segment 2 within Irish EEZ waters towards the 1,500m contour line at the shelf, followed by operations at the BU1 position and Segment 3 as indicated on the charts included with Marine Notice No 10 of 2018, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.
Guidelines On Maritime Cyber Risk Management
#Ports&Shipping - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) has issued an advisory to the maritime sector to make cybersecurity an integral part of their risk assessment exercises and continuity plans.
At the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2017, measures were agreed in relation to the cyber risk being taken into account by shipping companies in respect of the International Safety Management Code.
Resolution MSC 428(98) calls for cyber risks to be appropriately addressed in safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the company's Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.
The IMO has also published guidelines on cybersecurity for the industry, included in Marine Notice No 08 of 2018, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.
In relation to ports, the approach that the DTTAS is planning to take in Ireland is to incorporate a cybersecurity risk element in the security assessments which are carried out in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 1 and Directive 2005/65/EC 2 in our ports and port facilities.
The next five-yearly renewal of these assessments is due in all Irish ports by 30 June 2019.
Cruising To Europe? Be Sure To Have An International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft
#Cruising - The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) wishes to draw attention to the fact that some European Union member states require the operators of pleasure craft operating within their territorial waters to hold an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC).
Irish Sailing, which supersedes Marine Notice No 12 of 2011, Resolution No. 40 (as amended by Resolution No. 71) of the Inland Transport Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) outlines the requirements for the issue of the ICC.
Resolution No. 40 also lists the countries that have notified the UNECE Secretariat that they have accepted the Resolution.
An ICC issued by a government that has accepted Resolution No. 40 indicates that the ICC holder has demonstrated the level of competence required by Resolution No. 40 for the ICC to be issued.
Irish Sailing is appointed as an approved body to issue the ICC on behalf of the DTTAS. Persons requiring an ICC should contact Irish Sailing.
Marine Notice: Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey 2018 Off West, Southwest and South Coasts
#IAMS2018 - The annual Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey for 2018 (IAMS 2018) will be carried out between Monday 19 February and Monday 19 March off the West, Southwest and South Coasts of Ireland, in fulfilment of Ireland’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) obligations.
The IAMS is a demersal trawl and beam trawl survey consisting of approximately 85 otter trawls (60 minutes) and 25 beam trawls (30 minutes) in International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) area 7b, 7c, 7g, 7h, 7j and 7k. Fishing in 2018 will take place within a 3 nautical mile (nmi) radius of these indicative positions.
The survey will be conducted by the RV Celtic Explorer (Callsign EIGB), which will display all appropriate lights and signals and will also be listening on VHF Channel 16 for CE18004. The vessel will be towing a Jackson demersal trawl or two four metre wide beam trawls during operations.
The Marine Institute requests that commercial fishing and other marine operators to keep a 3nmi area around the tow points clear of any gear or apparatus during the survey period.
While there is no statutory provision for the loss of gear at sea, the Marine Institute will make every effort to avoid gear adequately marked, according to legislation, that may be encountered in the notified areas.
In the event that an operator has static gear or other obstructions within 3nmi of the listed points, it is the responsibility of the owner to notify the survey managers or vessel directly.
This should be communicated by identifying specifically which ‘station’ is of concern using the appendix and contact details provided in Marine Notice No 03 of 2018, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.
Marine Notice: Cable Route Survey Off North-West Coast
#MarineNotice - Fugro will be carrying out marine operations on behalf of TE Subsea Communications LLC for the HAVFRUE Subsea Cable System Project from this weekend.
The survey project is scheduled to begin on Saturday 20 January and last for around 14 days, weather permitting, as conducted by the MV Fugro Discovery (Callsign 3EKE6).
Survey operations will be conducted on a 24-hour basis. Throughout, the vessel will be displaying the shapes and lights prescribed in the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Rule 27, to indicate that the survey vessel is restricted in its ability to manoeuvre.
A listening watch will be maintained on VHF Channel 16, and the vessel will actively transmit an AIS signal.
The survey comprises a dynamic programme to be conducted in several stages. The survey vessel will be deployed within the working area at times and positions determined by client requirements, weather and sea conditions.
Co-ordinates of the survey area are included in Marine Notice No 02 of 2018, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE. Please note that the survey within Irish territorial waters as indicated is not part of this notice and will be undertaken at a later date under separate notification.
#DLHarbour - Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has issued its first notices to mariners for 2018, superseding all previous marine notices.
Regarding fairway priorities, the harbour fairways and approaches are generally to be kept clear and free. It is prohibited to anchor or lay moorings in these areas as marked on navigational publications and charts.
No race marks, buoys, floats, etc are to be laid in the fairways or the near approaches to Dun Laoghaire Harbour – and no racing shall take place other than by specific written permission from the Harbour Master.
Any lobster/crab pots that are laid shall remain clear of all harbour navigational waters, and slipways.
Large power-driven vessels (cruise liners, ferries, lighthouse and Naval Service vessels) and smaller power-driven vessels with restricted manoeuvrability (such as cruise ship tenders and small passenger ferries) have priority over all other craft, including the area of the harbour limits that extend 600 metres seaward of the harbour mouth.
Large power-driven vessels are to sound a prolonged blast when approaching the harbour mouth from either direction, or the appropriate signal when manoeuvring off, departing or preparing to depart from their berths.
A vessel may also sound a preliminary, prolonged blast, just prior to departure, so as to alert other harbour users of its imminent departure.
Irrespective as to whether or not any such signal is sounded, the obligation remains for small craft togive priority to the large power-driven vessels.
Regarding VHF reporting, all vessels, excluding pleasure craft, are required to call ‘Harbour Office Dun Laoghaire’ on VHF Channel 14 as follows:
- ETA at harbour entrance at least two hours in advance, and for any scheduled ferries call at least half an hour in advance.
- ETD at least one hour in advance, followed by confirmation five minutes prior to departure.
Unscheduled arrivals should call ‘Harbour Office Dun Laoghaire’ on mobile +353 83 144 3412 (24hr) at least two hours before arrival.
Works At Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre Till March
#MarineNotice - The Marine Engineering Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is undertaking dredging works at Smooth Point in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre from this month till March 2018.
Plant on site shall include the backhoe dredger Capall Mara (Callsign IJFN2) as well as modular pontoon flat top dredge barges, tugs and other smaller vessels.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is also undertaking works at the east side of the Auction Hall/Landing Pier involving the installation of additional steel fendering along the face of the pier and the construction of mooring dolphins at the start of the pier.
These works shall involve the use of heavy civil engineering drilling and lifting plant. There will be a jack-up barge and a spud barge on-site during the works. Divers shall also be employed at the beginning and at the end of the project.
For safety reasons mariners are requested to stay clear of these sites during the works in the harbour and are requested to proceed with caution in the area of the new pier and the Auction Hall/Landing Pier. Wave wash from vessels should be avoided.
Further details of these works are included in Marine Notice No 58 of 2017, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.
Groundfish Survey Off South & West Coasts Ongoing Till December
#MarineNotice - The Marine Institute advises that the annual Irish Groundfish Survey (IGFS2017) is being carried out off the South and West coasts of Ireland till Saturday 9 December in fulfilment of Ireland's Common Fisheries Policy obligations.
The IGFS is a demersal trawl survey consisting of approximately 125 fishing hauls of 30 min duration each in ICES area VIIb, VIIg and VIIj.
Fishing in 2017 is taking place within a two nautical mile radius of these indicative positions, the approximate locations of which are noted in Marine Notice No 55 of 2017.
As with last month's survey off the North West, the operation is being conducted by the RV Celtic Explorer (Callsign EIGB).
The vessel is displaying all appropriate lights and signals during the survey and is also listening on VHF Channel 16. It is towing a high headline GOV 36/47 demersal trawl during fishing operations.
Commercial fishing and other marine operators are requested keep a two nautical mile area around the tow points clear of any gear or apparatus during the survey period.
Dredging Works At Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre
#MarineNotice - Dredging works were set to commence this week at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre and are expected to be ongoing until the end of February 2018.
The works will involve the dredging of the north/south section of the main navigation channel and an area between the breakwaters off the main quay head.
The vessel Grete Fighter (Callsign: OZLP2) and the jack-up barge Yo Yo will be onsite and will maintain a VHF watch on Channel 16/14.
Three Special Mark (monitoring buoy) Fl Y 2s will be in positions 150 meters east, west and south of the north/south channel within the fishery harbour centre.
The Grete Fighter will be transiting to an approved dumpsite east of Beenban Head marked by four special marks.
Port hand marks and leading lights will be affected during the course of the works.
For safety reasons, mariners are requested to proceed slowly and with caution when in the vicinity of the dredging vessels in the fishery harbour centre and to give the works a wide berth.
Contact details and co-ordinates of the dump area are included in Marine Notice No 53 of 2017, a PDF of which is available to read or download HERE.