Code of Practice: Operation The Safe of Craft Recreational
Code of Practice: The Safe Operation of Recreational Craft 2017 Edition Recreational Craft_COVERS_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:55 Page 1 Page 16:55 1 17/10/2017 Craft_COVERS_Layout Recreational prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page I
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Acknowledgements
The Irish Maritime Administration would like to thank the following for their assistance in the preparation of the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft:
Canoeing Ireland CH Marine Ltd Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Irish Sailing Association Irish Water Safety Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK Met Éireann RNLI Waterways Ireland
and all bodies and individuals who provided comments on the Code of Practice.
First Print Edition: 2006 Revised: 2008 This revised edition: 2017
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Important Contact Information
Irish Coast Guard
In an emergency ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard
Irish Coast Guard HQ
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Leeson Lane Telephone:+353 (0)1 678 3454 Dublin 2 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3459 D02 TR60 Email: [email protected] Ireland Website: www.dttas.ie
Marine Survey Office
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Leeson Lane Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3400 Dublin 2 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3409 D02 TR60 Email: [email protected] Ireland Website: www.dttas.ie
Maritime Safety Policy Division
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Leeson Lane Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3434 Dublin 2 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3409 D02 TR60 Email: [email protected] Ireland Website: www.dttas.ie
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Contents Foreword ...... 1 Introduction ...... 2
Part A Statutory requirements for the safe operation of Contents recreational craft Chapter 1 Legislation...... 9 1.1 Statutory requirements for recreational craft ...... 10 1.1.1 Marine Notices ...... 10 1.2 Legislation applicable to all recreational craft ...... 13 1.2.1 Collision Regulations ...... 13 1.2.2 SOLAS Chapter V – safety of navigation ...... 13 1.2.3 The International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) ...... 13 1.2.3.1 Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships – Annex V of MARPOL ...... 13 1.2.3.2 Prevention of pollution by oil from ships – Annex I of MARPOL ...... 14 1.2.4 Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets ...... 14 1.2.4.1 Lifejacket regulations on recreational craft other than personal watercraft (PWC) ...... 14 1.2.4.2 Lifejacket regulations on personal watercraft (PWC), e.g. Jet Skis ...... 15 1.2.4.3 Lifejacket regulations for Waterskiing, Wake Boarding, Paragliding and other towed rides ...... 15 1.2.5 Operation of recreational craft – minimum age levels ...... 16 1.2.6 Controls on alcohol and drugs ...... 16 1.2.7 Marine Equipment Directive ...... 16 1.2.8 Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft and personal watercraft ...... 17 1.2.9 Marine Casualty Investigation Board ...... 21 1.2.10 Harbours Acts – Powers of Harbour Masters ...... 21 1.2.11 Radiocommunications ...... 21 1.2.11.1 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons and Personal Locator Beacons ...... 22 1.3 Legislation applicable to recreational craft greater than 12 metres in length ...... 24 1.3.1 Nautical publications ...... 24 1.4 Legislation applicable to recreational craft greater than 15 net registered tonnes (NRT) ...... 25 ii prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page V
1.4.1 Registration of recreational craft Contents (Mercantile Marine Act 1955) ...... 25 1.4.2 Future registration developments – Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 ...... 26 1.5 Legislation applicable to recreational craft of 13.7 metres in length and greater ...... 28 1.5.1 Lifesaving and Safety Equipment ...... 28 1.5.1.1 Class XII recreational craft constructed on or after 1 July 1986 of 13.7 metres in length and greater but less than 21.3 metres in length ...... 30 1.5.1.2 Class XII recreational craft constructed on or after 1 July 1986 of 21.3 metres in length and greater ...... 30 1.5.1.3 Class XII recreational craft constructed before 1 July 1986 ...... 32 1.5.1.4 Recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length ...... 32 1.5.2 Fire Fighting Equipment ...... 32 1.5.2.1 Recreational craft of 13.7 metres in length and greater ...... 33 1.5.2.2 Recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length ...... 34 1.6 Inland Waterways and Canal Systems ...... 34 1.6.1 Shannon Navigation Acts and associated Bye-Laws ...... 34 1.6.2 Navigation on the Shannon ...... 35 1.6.3 Canal System Navigation ...... 35 1.6.4 Navigation on the Corrib System ...... 35 1.7 Maritime Safety Act 2005 (No. 11 of 2005), as amended ...... 36 1.8 Other legislation ...... 38
Part B Recommended Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft Introduction and Application of Part B ...... 40
Chapter 2 Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation ...... 41 2.1 Training...... 42 2.2 Voyage Planning ...... 42 2.3 Pre-departure Safety Checks and Briefing ...... 43 2.4 Recommended safety equipment ...... 43 2.4.1 Category A – Ocean ...... 44 iii prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page VI
2.4.2 Category B – Offshore ...... 44 2.4.3 Category C – Inshore ...... 44 2.4.4 Category D – Sheltered waters ...... 45 2.5 Safety Equipment Checklist ...... 45 2.6 Competitive use – Yachts ...... 51
Contents 2.7 Dive Boat operations ...... 51 2.7.1 Training ...... 51 2.7.2 Safety ...... 51 2.7.3 Pre-departure Checks and Briefing ...... 52 2.7.4 Operation of RIBs as Dive Boats ...... 52 2.8 National Association ...... 52 2.9 Non-Commercial Pot Fishing ...... 53 2.10 Sea Angling Boats ...... 54
Chapter 3 Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways ...... 55 3.1 Training ...... 56 3.2 Recommended minimum safety equipment – Inland Waters ..... 57 3.2.1 Category E ...... 57 3.2.2 Category F ...... 57 3.3 Safety Equipment Checklist ...... 58 3.4 Boat Angling – Inland Waters ...... 62 3.5 Communications ...... 63 3.6 Spread of invasive species by boats on inland waters ...... 64
Chapter 4 Sailing Dinghies ...... 65 4.1 Training ...... 66 4.2 Safety Recommendations ...... 66 4.3 National Association ...... 67
Chapter 5 Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats ...... 69 5.1 Training ...... 70 5.2 Recommended equipment for personal watercraft ...... 70 5.3 Personal equipment to be worn/carried by the operator of the personal watercraft ...... 71 5.4 Personal watercraft operations ...... 71 5.4.1 Prior to entering the water (Pre-Launch Checks) ...... 71 5.4.2 Emergency Procedures ...... 71 5.4.3 On the water ...... 72 5.5 Offshore Cruising ...... 72 iv prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page VII
5.6 National Association ...... 73 Contents 5.7 Personal Watercraft Safety Checklist ...... 73 5.8 High Speed Power/Sports Boats – Operation and handling ...... 74 5.8.1 Pre-departure Checks ...... 74 5.8.2 On the water ...... 74 5.9 Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and towed rides ...... 75 5.10 Competitive use – Power Boats ...... 76
Chapter 6 Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards ...... 77 6.1 Training ...... 78 6.2 Windsurfing Safety ...... 78 6.2.1 Prior to entering the water ...... 78 6.2.2 On the water ...... 79 6.3 National Association ...... 79 6.4 Stand-Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) ...... 80 6.4.1 Prior to entering the water ...... 80 6.4.2 On the water ...... 81 6.5 National Association ...... 81 6.6 Other water-based activities ...... 82
Chapter 7 Canoeing/Kayaking ...... 83 7.1 Training ...... 84 7.2 Prior to entering the water ...... 84 7.3 Personal Safety Equipment ...... 85 7.4 Sea Kayaking ...... 86 7.5 River Kayaking/Canoeing ...... 86 7.6 National Association ...... 88
Chapter 8 Rowing Boats ...... 89 8.1 Training ...... 90 8.2 Olympic style rowing boats ...... 90 8.3 Boat construction and equipment ...... 90 8.4 Coastal racing gigs/Traditional racing currachs ...... 92 8.5 National Associations ...... 92
Chapter 9 Charter Boats/Bare Boat Hire ...... 93 9.1 Training ...... 94 9.2 Insurance ...... 95 9.3 Minimum safety equipment on board ...... 95 v prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page VIII
Chapter 10 Safety Operations ...... 97 10.1 Tendering operations to moored craft ...... 98 10.2 Marina Safety ...... 98 10.3 Slipways ...... 100 10.4 Beach launching...... 101
Contents 10.5 Maintenance...... 101 10.5.1 Rigging ...... 101 10.5.2 Inboard engine operation and maintenance ...... 103 10.5.3 Outboard engines ...... 103 10.5.4 Annual engine maintenance ...... 103 10.5.5 Minimum spare parts ...... 104 10.5.6 Tool Kit ...... 104 10.6 Liquefied/Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) ...... 104 10.7 Commissioners of Irish Lights ...... 106 10.7.1 Smart Weather Buoys ...... 106
Chapter 11 Emergency Procedures ...... 107 11.1 Procedure for making distress or urgency calls using VHF voice .. 108 11.1.1 Making a distress transmission using VHF voice broadcasting – MAYDAY ...... 108 11.1.2 Making an urgency broadcast using VHF – PAN-PAN ...... 108 11.2 Types of radio distress calls ...... 109 11.2.1 Automated Calling ...... 109 11.2.2 Non-Automated Calling ...... 110 11.2.3 Use of Handheld VHF Radios ...... 110 11.3 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) ...... 110 11.4 Marine VHF Communications Network ...... 111 11.5 Automatic Identification System (AIS) ...... 113 11.6 Survival at sea ...... 113 11.6.1 Choosing a Liferaft ...... 113 11.6.2 Abandoning Ship ...... 115 11.6.3 Survival in the water ...... 116 11.7 Man overboard and recovery procedures ...... 117 11.7.1 Recovery of man overboard ...... 117 11.7.2 Manoeuvring boat to aid recovery of man overboard ...... 118 11.7.2.1 Craft without an engine ...... 118 11.7.2.2 Craft with an engine ...... 120 11.8 Emergency towing – receiving or giving a tow ...... 122 11.9 Helicopter rescue procedures ...... 124
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11.10 Flares ...... 125 Contents 11.10.1 Disposal of expired pyrotechnics ...... 126 11.11 Mobile Devices ...... 127
Appendices ...... 129 Appendix 1 The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) ...... 130 Appendix 2 Guidance notes on Radiocommunications ...... 143 Appendix 3 Buoyage ...... 149 Appendix 4 Anchoring, Stability and Boat Handling ...... 159 Appendix 5 Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets, Jacklines and Safety Harnesses ...... 167 Appendix 6 Weather, Sea States and Tides ...... 174 Appendix 7 Directive on Recreational Craft and Personal Watercraft – Advice on buying a Recreational Craft ...... 180 Appendix 8 Passage Planning Template ...... 186 Appendix 9 List of Course Providers ...... 188 Appendix 10 Contact Details ...... 189 Appendix 11 Glossary of Terms ...... 194
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Foreword I encourage all planning for a safe trip every time, recreational craft behaving responsibly once afloat, users to familiarise and maximising the chances of themselves with this survival in the water should an Code of Practice for incident occur. the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft The Code of Practice has played an and to heed the safety advice and important role in promoting maritime recommendations in the Code. By safety and providing safety making time for maritime safety and information for the users of taking simple measures such as recreational craft since it was first wearing a lifejacket, each person can published in 2006. Today, the need contribute to saving lives, starting for safety advice, guidance and with their own. awareness in the operation of recreational craft remains as The safe enjoyment of our coastal and inland waters requires each important as ever. This new edition person who takes to the water to takes into account recent legislative take responsibility for their actions changes and provides updated and and to take maritime safety seriously. expanded safety information for the Unless attitudes change, accidents users of a range of recreational craft. will continue to happen and sadly My Department and other maritime lives will be lost as a result. bodies will continue to promote A significant number of Irish Coast maritime safety at every opportunity. Guard call-outs in recent years have However, at the end of the day, been to assist recreational craft. It is everyone taking to the water must also clear from the reports of the take responsibility for his or her own Marine Casualty Investigation Board safety. that many accidents and deaths in Be informed, be prepared – the life this sector can be avoided. The key is to think and act safely. Anyone you save could be your own. taking to the water in any capacity, on any type of craft, must think about their own safety and plan accordingly. The Maritime Safety Strategy 2015 – 2019 sets it out Shane Ross T.D. plainly: every trip on the water Minister for Transport, Tourism should be a safe one, which means and Sport 1 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:57 Page 2
Introduction
Background Operation of Recreational Craft is In accordance with the Statement intended for use by owners, of Strategy 2016 – 2019, the high operators and users of recreational level goal of the Irish Maritime craft. Introduction Administration of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is to Recreational craft are vessels used facilitate safe and sustainable for leisure or sport purposes, maritime transport and deliver regardless of their means of emergency management services. propulsion. They are also The approach to maritime safety sometimes referred to as pleasure involves a combination of policy craft. development, statutory regulation, safety awareness promotion and This Code applies to all enforcement. recreational craft operating in Irish waters, including: The Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft ■ Sailing craft was first published in 2006 ■ Motorboats, ski boats, following a review of safety powerboats, sports boats and measures on small watercraft and a dive boats public consultation process. A ■ Personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis) revised edition was published in ■ Canoes, kayaks 2008. Under Action 16 of the ■ Windsurfers Maritime Safety Strategy 2015 – ■ Non-powered craft. 2019, the Department committed to updating the Code of Practice to The Code incorporates both take into account changes in the competitive and non-competitive legislative requirements that apply use of recreational craft. General to recreational craft. This revised information is also provided on Code of Practice represents the Safety Operations and Emergency culmination of an extensive Procedures. stakeholder consultation process undertaken in 2016 and 2017. It should be noted that where passengers are carried by Who is the Code for? commercially operated craft This Code of Practice for the Safe manned by a skipper and crew, they
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are regarded as passenger vessels Part B of the Code – Chapters 2 to Introduction and are subject to the requirements 11 contain recommended of the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, guidelines and best practice for as amended, and any associated the safe operation of recreational rules and regulations. craft. Chapters 2 to 9 provide guidance in relation to particular How to use this Code types of recreational craft/activities. It is the responsibility of owners and Chapters 10 and 11 provide safety operators of recreational craft to guidance applicable to recreational ensure that a vessel is properly craft generally. maintained, equipped and operated. This Code aims to assist owners Owners and operators should and operators in their responsibility familiarise themselves with Part A by setting out legislative of the Code, the particular chapter requirements governing recreational in Part B appropriate to their type of craft and best practice for vessel vessel, together with Chapters 10 standards, equipment and operation and 11 and the Appendices. for the different types of recreational craft and their areas of operation. In the tables, all rows that contain a tick mark or number indicate a The Irish Maritime Administration mandatory and/or recommended encourages all those engaged in requirement for the type of craft leisure pursuits on the water to be indicated. Any mention of aware of and familiar with the ‘miles’ in the Code of Practice contents of the Code of Practice, is a reference to nautical miles. and to comply with the safety advice. Amendments The Code of Practice will be kept The Code of Practice is in two under review to ensure that it Parts followed by a series of remains up to date. Revisions will Appendices: be posted on the website of the Department of Transport, Tourism Part A of the Code – Chapter 1 and Sport (www.dttas.ie) and on outlines the legislative www.safetyonthewater.ie as they requirements that apply to all occur. recreational craft or specific types or size of craft. Owners and operators must comply with the requirements appropriate to their craft;
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If you have any queries, comments or suggestions regarding the Code, please forward them to:
Maritime Safety Policy Division Irish Maritime Administration Department of Transport, Tourism Introduction and Sport Leeson Lane Dublin 2 D02 TR60 Ireland
Telephone: + 353 (0)1 678 3434 Fax: + 353 (0)1 678 3409 Email: [email protected]
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Checklist of Basic Requirements Introduction and Advice
Particular attention is drawn to the following Checklist of Basic Requirements and Advice which all owners and users of recreational craft should be aware of before taking to the water: ✓ the legal requirements in relation to the wearing and carrying of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets and the need for the proper care and maintenance of such devices. These requirements are dealt with in Part A of the Code of Practice; ✓ the need to check current weather forecasts and sea conditions prior to departure and to plan your voyage accordingly (see Appendix 6 (Weather, Sea States and Tides) and Appendix 8 of the Code of Practice for an example of a passage planning template); ✓ Pre-Departure Safety Checks and Briefing – the briefing of all persons on board on emergency procedures and the location and use of safety/emergency equipment on board, e.g. flares, radio equipment, life jackets; ✓ the need to ensure that a designated person ashore is aware of your departure and return times, where you are going, and have a procedure in place to raise the alarm if necessary; ✓ the importance of having a dependable means of communication. 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; ✓ when operating a pleasure craft, a person must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the craft; ✓ in a marine emergency, the alarm can be raised on VHF Channel 16 or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
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Make time for Maritime Safety The Maritime Safety Strategy 2015 – 2019 highlights the need for all individuals taking to the water to work together to ensure that potentially avoidable fatalities in the Introduction maritime sector are eliminated. It is the responsibility of each individual to be mindful of their own safety and to take personal responsibility for their actions. That means preparation and knowing what steps to take in emergency situations. Failure to operate safely puts not just an individual’s life at risk, but the lives of others on board the craft and potentially the lives of emergency and rescue services personnel.
Persons engaged in water-based activities are encouraged to learn to swim and to acquire lifesaving skills.
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Part A Statutory requirements for the safe operation of recreational craft
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Chapter 1 Legislation
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1 1.1 Statutory requirements are information notices issued to for recreational craft publicise important safety, regulatory Part A of the Code identifies and and other information relating to the explains the legislation that applies to maritime sector in Ireland. They are recreational craft operating within Irish organised into three categories as waters and with which owners and follows:
Legislation operators of such craft must comply. Statutory requirements arise from Irish Statutory – to draw attention to a maritime legislation, European Union regulation or other legal Directives and the State’s obligations requirement; under various international maritime conventions adopted by the Information – to give information International Maritime Organization on non-statutory topics such as (IMO) and other international maritime safety alerts, Marine Survey Office bodies. procedures and examinations, publications and product recalls; Legislation comprises primary legislation such as the Merchant Works – to advise of construction, Shipping Acts 1894 to 2015 and works or surveys at sea that affect associated secondary legislation in navigation. the form of Statutory Instruments (Merchant Shipping Rules and Marine Notices are available on the Regulations). National legislation Department of Transport, Tourism relating to the maritime sector is and Sport webpage at www.dttas.ie. available on the Irish Maritime If you wish to be added to the email Administration (IMA) webpage at circulation list for new IMA Marine www.dttas.ie and in the Irish Statute Notices, please send a request to Book at www.irishstatutebook.ie. [email protected].
While much of the national maritime The Commissioners of Irish Lights, legislation is primarily directed at Waterways Ireland, harbour and commercial shipping, there are certain local authorities also issue marine parts of it that apply to recreational notices from time to time for waters craft and these are set out in Table A. under their jurisdiction. For example, the Waterways Ireland Special 1.1.1 Marine Notices Marine Notice Number 1 of each Attention is drawn to Marine Notices year deals with a range of inland that are published by the IMA navigation matters. throughout the year. Marine Notices
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1
Table A – Legislation that applies to recreational craft Legislation
All Recreational Recreational Recreational Legislation Recreational Craft >15 Craft >12 m Craft >13.7 m Craft NRT
Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) (Ships and Water Craft ✓ on the Water) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 507 of 2012)
SOLAS Chapter V – ✓ safety of navigation
MARPOL Annex I and V – prevention of pollution ✓ from ships
Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005, as ✓ amended (S.I. No. 921 of 2005 as amended by S.I. No. 349 of 2012) Recreational and personal watercraft Directive 2013/53/EU and European Union ✓ (Recreational Craft and Personal Watercraft) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 65 of 2017) Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 (No. 14 of 2000) ✓ – Marine Casualty Investigation Board
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1 Table A – Legislation that applies to recreational craft – continued
All Recreational Recreational Recreational Legislation Recreational Craft >15 Craft >12 m Craft >13.7 m Craft NRT Harbours Acts 1996 to
Legislation 2015 and Fishery ✓ Harbour Centres Act 1968, as amended
Signals of Distress (Ships) Rules 2012 (S.I. ✓ No. 170 of 2012)
Maritime Safety Act 2005 (No. 11 of 2005), ✓ as amended Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Nautical Publications) ✓ ✓ ✓ Regulations 1985 (S.I. No. 282 of 1985)
Mercantile Marine Act 1955 (No. 29 of 1955), ✓ ✓ as amended
Merchant Shipping (Life Saving ✓ Appliances) Rules 1983 and 1993
Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules ✓ 1967, 1983 and 1985
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1 1.2 Legislation applicable to is properly planned prior to being Legislation all recreational craft undertaken. See Appendix 8 for an example of a Passage 1.2.1 Collision Regulations Planning Template. Applicable Legislation: ■ Recreational craft must as far as ■ Merchant Shipping (Collision practicable be fitted with a radar Regulations) (Ships and Water reflector (i.e. if it can reasonably Craft on the Water) Order 2012, be fitted, it should be fitted with S.I. No. 507 of 2012 one). ■ Signals of Distress (Ships) Rules ■ An illustrated table of lifesaving 2012, S.I. No. 170 of 2012. signals must be carried on board where possible. A copy is included All recreational craft must comply in the Marine Notice and in with the International regulations for Appendix 1. preventing collisions at sea. ■ There is an obligation on the skipper of a recreational craft to All owners, skippers or persons in report any dangers to navigation charge of a recreational craft should and respond to distress be fully familiar with the collision messages. This can be done by regulations. Some of the main contacting the Irish Coast Guard requirements are included in at 112 or 999 and reporting Appendix 1. directly to them. ■ 1.2.2 SOLAS Chapter V – It is a requirement that distress safety of navigation signals are not misused. On 1 July 2002, a number of new 1.2.3 The International regulations in Chapter V of the Convention for the prevention International Convention for the of pollution from ships Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) came (MARPOL) into force which directly affect recreational craft. 1.2.3.1 Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships – Annex V of While most of the SOLAS MARPOL Convention only applies to large All recreational craft must comply commercial ships, parts of Chapter V with the following requirements in dealing with safety of navigation relation to the disposal of garbage: apply to all recreational craft. Marine (a) It is prohibited to dispose into the Notice No. 9 of 2003 explains the sea any items of plastic including implications of the legislation, which plastic garbage bags, wrappings, is summarised as follows: synthetic rope, etc. ■ It is a requirement that any voyage (b) The disposal into the sea of the
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1 following garbage must be made and buoyancy aids which, when as far away as practicable from correctly worn and used in water, will the nearest land but is in any provide buoyancy and increase the case prohibited if the distance likelihood of survival. Buoyancy aid from the nearest land is less clothing ensures a degree of than: buoyancy and support in the water
Legislation (i) 25 nautical miles for while enabling the user to swim or dunnage – lining and take action to escape from danger. packing materials that will float. A lifejacket is designed to prevent (ii) 12 nautical miles for food drowning and must be capable of wastes and all other returning the user to the surface as garbage including paper quickly as possible and of keeping products, rags, glass, metal, the person afloat, permitting bottles, crockery and similar breathing while waiting for help. refuse. Legislative Requirements Additionally, recreational craft of 12 ■ Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation metres or more in length overall Devices and Operation) (Safety) must display placards which notify Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of the crew of the requirements 2005), as amended by the concerning the disposal of garbage. Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) 1.2.3.2 Prevention of pollution by (Amendment) Regulations 2012 oil from ships – Annex I of (S.I. No. 349 of 2012). MARPOL Recreational craft are required to be These Regulations do not apply to equipped as far as practicable and “Olympic style” rowing boats. These reasonable with installations to are described in the Regulations as ensure the storage of oil or oily craft designed and specifically used mixtures on board. Their discharge for rowing in boat races and capable into the sea is prohibited unless the of being entered into regattas or craft is proceeding en route and the other events recognised by the Irish oil content of the effluent without Amateur Rowing Union, and also dilution does not exceed 15 parts per events held in the Olympic Games or million. other international rowing regattas.
1.2.4 Wearing of Personal 1.2.4.1 Lifejacket regulations on Flotation Devices/Lifejackets recreational craft other than The term “personal flotation device” personal watercraft (PWC) (PFD) covers all forms of lifejackets The following provisions apply to all 14 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 15
1 recreational craft: off scuba diving equipment or Legislation ■ All persons on board any craft of (b) is about to engage in, or has less than 7 m in length must wear just completed swimming a personal flotation device (PFD) (including snorkelling) from the or a lifejacket while on board an craft. open craft or while on the deck of a decked craft, other than when 1.2.4.2 Lifejacket regulations on the craft is made fast to the shore. personal watercraft (PWC), e.g. Jet ■ The master or owner of any craft is Skis required to ensure that either a ■ Every person on a PWC is PFD or a lifejacket is carried on required to wear a PFD/lifejacket the craft for each person on board. at all times while on board or being ■ The master or owner of a craft is towed in any manner by a PWC. required to take all reasonable ■ The master or owner of a PWC is steps to ensure that all persons required to take all reasonable under the age of 16 years wear a steps to ensure that a person PFD/lifejacket while on board an under the age of 16 years open craft or while on the deck of complies with the requirement to a decked craft. wear a PFD/lifejacket while on ■ The term “open craft” refers to a board or being towed by a PWC. craft without a cabin or below deck facilities for persons on board and 1.2.4.3 Lifejacket regulations for where any seating is exposed or Waterskiing, Wake Boarding, partially exposed to the elements. Paragliding and other towed rides ■ The master or owner of a craft is required to take all reasonable The Pleasure Craft (Personal steps to ensure that a person Flotation Devices and Operation) wears a suitable PFD/lifejacket at (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. all times while: 921 of 2005), as amended, apply as (a) being towed by the craft, or follows to waterskiing, wake (b) on board a vessel or object of boarding, paragliding and other any kind that is being towed by towed rides: ■ the craft. All persons while being towed by a pleasure craft or on board any The PFD/lifejacket requirements vessel or object of any kind being under the Regulations do not apply towed by a craft must wear a to a person on board a craft which is personal flotation device or not underway and is made fast to the lifejacket. The responsibility for shore or at anchor, and when the compliance with this requirement person: lies with the master or owner of the (a) is wearing, putting on or taking towing craft. 15 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 16
1 ■ Persons partaking in towed rides the safety of persons on board or must not consume alcohol or others using Irish waters, or create drugs. a disturbance on board the craft or be a nuisance to others using Irish More information on PFD/lifejackets waters. is set out in Appendix 5. ■ Any person being towed or on
Legislation board a vessel or object of any 1.2.5 Operation of recreational kind that is being towed by a craft – minimum age levels pleasure craft shall not consume ■ The master or owner of a PWC or alcohol or drugs or any fast power craft is required to take combination of drugs or drugs and all reasonable steps to ensure that alcohol. persons under the age of 16 years do not operate or control the craft. Violation of any of the provisions of The term “fast power craft” means the Pleasure Craft (Personal a craft that can attain a speed Flotation Devices and Operation) through or over water of 17 knots (Safety) Regulations 2005 may or more. result in a fixed payment notice for ■ The master or owner of a craft €150 issued by an Authorised with an engine rating of more than Officer, or prosecution in the District 5 hp (3.7 kW) is required to take Court and, on summary conviction, a all reasonable steps to ensure that fine of up to €5,000. a person under the age of 12 years does not operate or control Authorised Officers include members the craft. of the Garda Síochána, Naval Service, Harbour Masters and 1.2.6 Controls on alcohol and members of the Irish Maritime drugs Administration who are authorised ■ The master or owner of a pleasure by the Minister. craft must not operate or control or allow another person to operate or The Maritime Safety Act 2005 (No. control the craft while under the 11 of 2005), as amended, also influence of alcohol or drugs or contains prohibitions on operating a any combination of drugs or of vessel in Irish waters while under the drugs and alcohol. influence of alcohol or drugs (see ■ Any person on board a pleasure section 1.7 of this Code). craft must not consume alcohol or drugs or any combination of drugs 1.2.7 Marine Equipment or of drugs and alcohol in Directive circumstances that could affect Directive 2014/90/EU sets the
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1 performance and testing standards such as sailing craft, motorboats and Legislation for marine safety equipment. jet skis. It also lays down particular Equipment complying with the requirements for manufacturers, Marine Equipment Directive is importers, private importers and marked with a distinctive ships wheel distributors of watercraft. The mark. following watercraft products come within the scope of the Directive: The Directive has been given effect in Irish law through the European ■ Recreational craft of hull length Union (Marine Equipment) from 2.5 metres to 24 metres; Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 177 of ■ Personal watercraft of less than 4 2017). metres in hull length; ■ Partly completed watercraft, being When purchasing marine equipment either a recreational craft or other than PFDs, ensure it always personal watercraft; carries the approval wheel mark ■ Components, listed in Annex II of shown below as required by the Directive, when placed legislation. separately on the EU market; ■ Propulsion engines installed or intended to be installed on or in watercraft; ■ Propulsion engines installed or Marine Equipment Directive approval Wheelmark specifically intended for In the case of a installation in or on watercraft, or PFD, ensure it subject to major engine always carries the modification; approval CE mark ■ Watercraft subject to major craft shown opposite. conversion.
Under Directive 2013/53/EU, any 1.2.8 Directive 2013/53/EU on watercraft falling under its scope recreational craft and personal (whether new or second-hand) that watercraft is placed on the EU market for the Summary of Directive first time must comply with the Directive 2013/53/EU updates essential requirements as set out in legislative requirements in Ireland the Annexes to the Directive. This dating from June 1998 for the design guarantees their suitability for sale or and construction of leisure boats and use in the EU. The essential personal watercraft between 2.5 requirements cover technical, safety metres and 24 metres in length, and environmental specifications.
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1 ■ Experimental watercraft, provided Directive 94/25/EC, amended by that the watercraft is not placed on Directive 2003/44/EC, continues to the Union market. apply to recreational craft, personal ■ Watercraft built for own use, watercraft, components or provided that they are not propulsion engines placed on the EU subsequently placed on the Union
Legislation market for the first time before 18 market during a period of five January 2017. years from the putting into service of the watercraft. Exempted watercraft ■ Watercraft specifically intended to Directive 2013/53/EU does not apply be crewed and to carry to some watercraft products passengers for commercial intended for sports and leisure purposes. purposes as listed in Article 2.2 of ■ Submersibles, air cushion the Directive. However, particular vehicles, and hydrofoils. products are required to be labelled ■ Amphibious vehicles, i.e. wheeled as specified in the Directive. With or track-laying motor vehicles, regard to the design and which are able to operate both on construction requirements, specified water and on solid land. in Part A of Annex 1, the Directive ■ External combustion steam does not apply to the following powered watercraft, fuelled by products: coal, coke, wood, oil or gas. ■ Watercraft intended solely for racing, including rowing racing Certain exemptions with regard to boats and training rowing boats exhaust and noise emission labelled as such by the requirements also apply as set out in manufacturer. the Directive. ■ Canoes and kayaks designed to be propelled solely by human Design categories for watercraft power, gondolas and pedalos. coming within the scope of the ■ Surfboards designed solely to be Directive propelled by wind and to be The Directive specifies design operated by a person or persons categories (A, B, C and D) for standing. watercraft based on suitability for ■ Surfboards. navigation conditions such as ■ Original historical watercraft and ranges of wind force and significant individual replicas thereof wave height. Further information on designed before 1950, built these design categories can be predominately with original found in Part A of Annex 1 to the materials and labelled as such by Directive, and they are summarised the manufacturer. as follows: 18 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 19
1 ■ Category A possible to affix the CE mark to the Legislation Recreational craft designed for product, it shall be affixed to the winds that may exceed wind force 8 packaging and to the accompanying (Beaufort scale) and significant wave documentation. height of 4 m and above but excluding abnormal conditions, such In summary, the CE marking must as storm, violent storm, hurricane, be affixed to: tornado and extreme sea conditions ■ all newly manufactured watercraft, or rogue waves. components and propulsion engines, whether manufactured in ■ Category B the Member States or in third Recreational craft designed for a countries; wind force up to and including 8, and ■ all used and second-hand significant wave height up to and products when imported from third including 4 m. countries and placed on the EU market for the first time; ■ Category C ■ modified products that, as new, Watercraft designed for a wind force are subject to this Directive and up to and including 6, and significant which have been modified in a wave height up to and including 2 m. way that could affect the safety or the compliance of the product with ■ Category D the EU legislation. Watercraft designed for a wind force up to and including 4, and significant Other essential requirements in the wave height up to and including 0.3 Directive include: m, with occasional waves of 0.5 m ■ an identification number for each maximum height. watercraft and a requirement to carry the craft’s builder’s plate; CE marking and essential ■ the need for watercraft to be requirements designed to minimise the risk of All watercraft, components and falling overboard and to allow for propulsion engines are subject to CE easy re-boarding; marking, indicating that a product ■ good all-round visibility for the complies with the Directive. In the operator, under normal conditions; case of a watercraft, CE marking ■ a written manual in a language must be affixed to the Watercraft easily understood by the end-user, Builder’s Plate, mounted separately to accompany all watercraft to from the craft’s identification number, ensure their safe use; and in the case of a propulsion ■ sufficient structure, stability and engine, directly on the engine. In the buoyancy in accordance with its case of a component, where it is not design category; 19 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 20
1 ■ an emergency stopping device for Craft and Personal Watercraft) all tiller-controlled outboard (Procedures for Watercraft propulsion engines; Identification) Regulations 2017 (S.I. ■ stricter limits for nitrogen oxide, No. 217 of 2017) amended the rules hydrocarbons, and particulate on the assignment and matters for new propulsion engines administration of the Unique Code of
Legislation for watercraft; the Manufacturer (UCM) and ■ mandatory installation of holding appointed the Marine Survey Office tanks to recreational craft fitted as the competent authority for with toilets, in order to contribute to assigning the UCM. marine environmental protection; ■ requirements for engines and See Appendix 7 for advice on engine compartments. purchasing products that fall within the scope of the recreational craft Transition period and personal watercraft Directive Manufacturers must comply with the 2013/53/EU. Directive’s requirements from 18 January 2017, while small and medium-sized enterprises that manufacture some smaller outboard spark-ignition propulsion engines have until 18 January 2020 to comply.
The provisions of the Directive are given effect in Irish law by the European Union (Recreational Craft and Personal Watercraft) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 65 of CE Plate for Category ‘C’ boat 2017) as amended by S.I. No. 217 of 2017. Attention is also drawn to Marine Notice No. 33 of 2015, Marine Notice No. 10 of 2017 and Marine Notice No. 23 of 2017 which provide further information regarding the requirements of the Directive and S.I. No. 65 of 2017, as amended.
The European Union (Recreational
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1 1.2.9 Marine Casualty 1.2.10 Harbours Acts – Legislation Investigation Board Powers of Harbour Masters The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established on 5 Harbours Acts 1996 to 2015 and June 2002 under section 7(1) of the Fishery Harbour Centres Acts 1968 Merchant Shipping (Investigation of to 2015. Marine Casualties) Act 2000 (No. 14 of 2000). Under the provisions Under these Acts, Harbour Masters of the Act, it is the responsibility of have the power to create bye-laws all owners, operators and skippers within the limits of their port areas. to advise the Board of the MCIB While the majority of shipping (see Appendix 10 for contact within such ports is of a commercial details) of any incident which nature, recreational craft are qualifies as a marine casualty as required to comply with any soon as is practical after it occurs. relevant bye-laws, in particular Where it is considered that an those in relation to: incident warrants it, an investigation ■ Safety of navigation will be instigated by the MCIB, and ■ Speed limits an Accident Investigator appointed. ■ Operating within channels ■ Buoyage The European Communities ■ Mooring and berthing. (Merchant Shipping) (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations 2011 (S.I. Details of bye-laws are available No. 276 of 2011) set out the from the Harbour Masters Office regulatory framework governing the and should be checked prior to investigation of accidents in the using the port area. maritime transport sector. The purpose of the Regulations is to 1.2.11 Radiocommunications improve maritime safety and the It is recommended that all prevention of pollution by ships, recreational craft carry at least one and so reduce the risk of future means of approved marine marine casualties. The Regulations radiocommunications equipment in designate the MCIB as the order to enable the initiation of a permanent investigative body in distress alert in the event of an Ireland to investigate marine emergency. See Appendix 2 for casualties and accidents. See Guidance notes on www.mcib.ie for further information. Radiocommunications.
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1 If marine radiocommunication The licence document will contain a equipment is voluntarily fitted or unique Radio Call Sign for the craft carried on any type of recreational and a Maritime Mobile Service craft, the vessel must be licensed in Identity (MMSI) number if accordance with the Wireless applicable. Telegraphy Act 1926, as amended.
Legislation Licences are issued under the 1.2.11.1 Emergency Position Wireless Telegraphy (Ship Station Indicating Radio Beacons and Radio Licence) Regulations 2006 Personal Locator Beacons (S.I. No. 414 of 2006). The Emergency Position Indicating responsibility for the licensing of Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) radio communications equipment A 406 MHz EPIRB is a radio on Irish ships and the issuing of transmitter that can be activated in associated Certificates of an emergency situation to raise a Competency rests with the Marine distress alert. Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport, Tourism When an EPIRB is activated, it and Sport. transmits a signal that is detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite The basic requirements to obtain a system. As the satellites orbit the Ship Station Radio Licence are as earth, they "listen" for any activated follows: beacons. They retransmit the (a) The radio equipment must be beacon signals to ground stations, type approved in accordance which compute the beacon position with either the Marine and report the distress alert to Equipment Directive search and rescue authorities. (2014/90/EU) or the Radio Equipment Directive The majority of beacon models also (2014/53/EU). Caution transmit a lower powered homing should be taken when signal on 121.5 MHz as a reference purchasing marine radio for local search teams. Some older equipment as non-approved EPIRB models are only capable of equipment may not be transmitting a legacy analogue licensed. This is particularly signal on 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz. relevant for equipment The Cospas-Sarsat global satellite purchased outside the system NO LONGER MONITORS European Union. those frequencies. These beacons (b) The personnel operating the should be replaced with a modern radio equipment must hold 406 MHz EPIRB. an appropriate Radio Operator’s qualification. 22 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 23
1 Although the Cospas-Sarsat be immediately notified to the Legislation System is designed to MSO. Search and rescue (SAR) independently locate activated authorities rely on the EPIRB EPIRBs with good accuracy, newer register in the event of an EPIRB beacons are available with an activation. Correct programming integrated receiver chip for the and registration is essential to beacon to determine its own ensure that the SAR authorities location using signals from global have accurate, reliable and up to navigation satellite systems such as date information about a vessel and GPS. If the integrated receiver chip its contacts in the event of an is able to calculate a location for the emergency. It also allows any beacon, that location is reported in inadvertent false alerts to be quickly the distress message transmitted resolved without the unnecessary from the beacon. GPS-equipped deployment of search and rescue beacons provide helpful redundancy resources. in determining the beacon location and in certain circumstances can Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) reduce the time needed for Cospas- PLBs work on the same principle as Sarsat to locate the beacon. In EPIRBs. When correctly activated in order to ensure the greatest degree an emergency situation, a PLB of positional accuracy in the event transmits a 406 MHz signal which is of a GPS EPIRB activation, GPS detected by the Cospas-Sarsat EPIRBs must be programmed with satellite system. The distress alert is Standard Location Protocol with the then reported to search and rescue Maritime Mobile Service Identity authorities. (MMSI) number of the vessel. Non GPS enabled EPIRBs may be ■ PLBs are designed to be carried programmed with the vessel’s by an individual. Callsign. ■ EPIRBs can be manually activated or automatically All EPIRBs must be tested activated on contact with water. regularly as per manufacturers ■ PLBs can only be manually instructions. Care should also be activated. taken to ensure that the EPIRB ■ EPIRBs are designed to transmit battery is in date. while floating. ■ PLBs MUST be held clear out All EPIRBs must be correctly of the water for transmission. programmed and registered with ■ The environmental survivability of the MSO. Any changes to the EPIRBs is greater than that of vessel’s registered details must PLBs.
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1 In view of the above, a PLB is not is also recommended that PLBs considered to be a substitute for an have an integrated GPS receiver. EPIRB. However, the wearing of a This is to enable greater position PLB by seafarers, particularly those accuracy, hence a quicker boating alone, is recommended. response time in the event of activation. PLBs should be type
Legislation All PLBs must be correctly approved by Cospas-Sarsat and registered with the Commission for certified in accordance with the Communications Regulation Radio Equipment Directive (ComReg). Correct registration of (2014/53/EU) and the European PLBs is essential to ensure that the Standard ETSI EN 302 152. SAR authorities have accurate, Note: Compliance with Directive reliable and up to date information 2014/53/EU is indicated by a “CE and contacts in the event of an Mark of Conformity”. emergency. 1.3 Legislation applicable ComReg maintains an online to recreational craft greater registration facility for PLB devices than 12 metres in length in Ireland. PLB owners should 1.3.1 Nautical publications register their PLB at https://www.comreg.ie/industry/ Applicable Legislation: licensing/personal-locator-beacons/. ■ Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Any queries relating to PLB Nautical Publications) registration may be addressed to: Regulations 1985, S.I. No. 282 of 1985. The Commission for Communications Regulation These regulations require that all 1 Dockland Central recreational craft greater than 12 Guild Street metres in length must carry: Dublin 1 1. Corrected charts for vessels that D01 E4X0. proceed to sea. Website: www.comreg.ie 2. For craft that proceed to sea Email: [email protected] beyond a distance of 5 nautical Phone: (01) 804 9600 (Industry) miles from any coastline, one (01) 804 9668 (Consumer) copy of each of the following publications as is appropriate for It is recommended that PLBs the voyage, carried on board in carried on Irish vessels be the 406 a readily accessible location: MHz satellite type and be provided with a 121.5 MHz homing device. It
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1 (1) International Code of Signals Registration imparts nationality on Legislation (2) Illustrated table of Life Saving a vessel and brings it within the Signals (See Appendix 1) legal jurisdiction of the flag it flies. (3) Relevant and applicable Therefore, Irish law binds an Irish Marine Notices (Marine flagged vessel even though it may Notices are published on the be travelling worldwide. A vessel’s Department of Transport, registration papers establish its Tourism and Sport website) bone fides in a very similar manner (4) Mariners Handbook as a national passport does for an (5) Notices to Mariners, as individual. Registration may relevant, as issued by local establish criminal jurisdiction in the Port Authority event of an incident or accident in (6) Nautical Almanac international waters. (7) Navigational Tables (8) Lists of Radio Signals A major advantage of registration is (9) Lists of Lights the establishment of Title to the (10) Sailing Directions vessel, i.e. who actually owns it. (11) Tide Tables This is essential if planning to take (12) Tidal Stream Atlases the boat overseas. There are also (13) Operating and maintenance financial aspects to registration – instructions for navigational lending institutions will only offer aids carried by the ship. marine mortgages on registered craft, and mortgages on all such 1.4 Legislation applicable craft are recorded. to recreational craft greater than 15 net registered The 1955 Act does not discriminate tonnes (NRT) between recreational and 1.4.1 Registration of commercial craft – all are regarded recreational craft as ships (unless propelled by oars) for the purpose of registration. The Act also defines those persons that Applicable legislation: may register a boat under the Irish ■ Mercantile Marine Act 1955, as flag as follows: amended. ■ Irish or EU Member State nationals “An Act to provide for the national ■ Irish or EU bodies corporate, character, ownership and registry of based within the EU Irish ships, for the mortgage, sale, ■ The Government or Ministers of transfer and measurement of the Government. tonnage of such ships.”
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1 Under section 18(1) of the 1955 Act advice on the likelihood that his/her every ship which is wholly owned by craft may qualify for registration, the an Irish citizen or an Irish body Mercantile Marine Office of the IMA corporate is required to be can advise. As outlined above, registered under the Act unless the there is no current requirement for ship is exempt under section 18(2). craft less than 15 NRT or for vessels
Legislation Exempt ships include those under owned by an Irish citizen who is not 15 net tons while navigating on the ordinarily resident in the State to be rivers, canals, lakes or coasts of registered. However, should an Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel owner wish to do so, these vessels Islands and the Isle of Man. Ships are entitled to be registered in order owned by Irish citizens not ordinarily to avail of benefits offered under the resident in the State are also Act. exempt. However, under the Act, recreational craft greater than 15 Further information on registration NRT owned by an Irish citizen or an procedures, including survey and Irish body corporate must be measurement, is available from the registered in accordance with the Mercantile Marine Office of the IMA terms of the Act. or from Revenue. The MMO is contactable at (01) 678 3480 or at If leisure craft are navigating abroad [email protected]. outside the waters described above and are owned by an Irish citizen 1.4.2 Future registration ordinarily resident in the State, they developments – Merchant should be registered on the national Shipping (Registration of register. Generally speaking, if a Ships) Act 2014 person is usually resident in Ireland, The Merchant Shipping the person should ensure that his or (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 (No. her yacht is registered on the 43 of 2014) was enacted in national register while operating December 2014. With the exception abroad in order to comply with of section 69, the Act has not yet national statutory ship registration been commenced. The main requirements. purpose of the Act is to replace and update the Mercantile Marine Act As a general guide, many boats 1955, as amended, and provide a greater than 12 metres basis for the establishment and (approximately 40 ft) in length would regulation of a modern and likely equate to the 15 NRT tonnage comprehensive ship registration figure. Should an owner require system that will be more efficient,
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1 user friendly and accessible for ship to 10 years thereafter; Legislation owners. Among the changes and ■ An improved enforcement and improvements that will be penalty regime. introduced under the Act are the following: Regulations to be made under the ■ A new centralised, electronic and Act will set out the detail of the new accessible Irish Register of Ships Register structure and the different consisting of different Parts for the registration requirements for each registration of different types of Part of the Register. The ships and for different registration requirements and conditions of purposes; registration for each Part of the new ■ An extension of mandatory ship Register, and the registration fees, registration to additional ship will vary depending on the type, categories including fishing boats size, use, etc., of the vessel less than 15 metres in length involved, with less onerous overall, personal watercraft such requirements applying to smaller as jet skis, small fast powered non-commercial recreational craft and some small commercial vessels. It is envisaged that the angling boats so that, subject to a Part of the Register for personal number of exemptions, ships watercraft and small fast powered operating domestically will be craft will also accommodate the required to be registered on the voluntary registration of most other Register or to have a current valid types of recreational craft less than registration conferring nationality 24 metres in length if an owner from another country; wishes to register such craft. ■ New registration categories, including visitor registration for The new ship registration regime certain recreational craft visiting will not come into operation until Ireland for short periods not the necessary regulations are exceeding 3 months where such made under the 2014 Act and the vessels are not registered in new Irish Register of Ships and another country; registration system are established ■ The introduction of ship under a separate IT project. registration renewal and a facility Pending the establishment of the to refuse ship registration or new Irish Register of Ships, the remove ships from the Register. current arrangements under the A ship registration will have to be 1955 Act for the registration of renewed up to 5 years after initial ships by officers of the Revenue registration and at intervals of up Commissioners will continue.
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1 1.5 Legislation applicable Under these Rules, recreational to recreational craft of 13.7 craft with a length of 13.7 m or metres in length and greater are classed as Class XII greater vessels. The lifesaving appliances requirements applicable to Class 1.5.1 Lifesaving and Safety XII vessels under these Rules are Equipment Legislation set out in Table B. The requirements differ depending on Applicable legislation: the length and area of operation of ■ Merchant Shipping Life Saving the vessel. Appliances Rules.
Lifesaving appliances consist of items of lifesaving equipment such as lifejackets, liferafts, flares, lifebuoys, EPIRBs, etc.
There are different Rules for craft constructed before and after 1986, as follows: ■ Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1983 (S.I. No. 302 of 1983). These apply to craft constructed before 1 July 1986. ■ Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1993 (S.I. No. 380 of 1993). These apply to craft constructed on or after 1 July 1986. ■ Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1983 (Amendment) Rules 1993 (S.I. No. 381 of 1993). ■ Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1983 (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 1993 (S.I. No. 382 of 1993).
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1 Table B: Class XII boats – Mandatory Lifesaving Equipment Legislation
Lifesaving Equipment Recreational Recreational Craft (1)* Craft (2)+ 13.7 – 21.3 13.7 – 21.3 metres length metres length Restricted Seagoing operations (post 1986)
Lifebuoys
Lifebuoy for each 2 persons carried on ✓ board (Minimum of 2)
One Lifebuoy fitted with self-activating ✓ smoke and light signal One Lifebuoy fitted with buoyant line (18 m) ✓ ✓
2 Lifebuoys, one fitted with smoke/light ✓ signal Lifejacket Lifejacket for each person on board ✓
Lifejacket for each person on board with ✓ light fitted Pyrotechnics Six parachute flares or red star rockets ✓ ✓ Waterproof container for flares ✓ ✓ Rescue Signal Table ✓ ✓
Liferaft of sufficient capacity for all ✓ persons on board
Launching instructions/posters for ✓ liferaft on display
Training Manual for onboard safety ✓ equipment
Maintenance instructions for safety ✓ equipment
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1 1.5.1.1 Class XII recreational Craft in this category are unlikely to craft constructed on or after proceed to sea and will always 1 July 1986 of 13.7 metres in operate in smooth or partially length and greater but less than smooth waters. If they do proceed 21.3 metres in length to sea, it is during the period April to October, and they must remain
Legislation These craft are covered by the within three miles of the coastline. Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1993 – S.I. No. Category (2)+ craft that are 380 of 1993. engaged on either: ■ A voyage to sea, in the course of Coastal areas are divided into which the craft is more than areas of “Smooth waters”, “Partially three miles from the coast, or smooth waters” and “To Sea”. The ■ A voyage to sea during the specific areas are defined in a months of November to March Marine Notice issued by the IMA, inclusive. and are subject to periodic review. As of 2017, the relevant Marine 1.5.1.2 Class XII recreational craft Notices are No. 10 of 2003 and No. constructed on or after 1 July 24 of 2004. These are available at 1986 of 21.3 metres in length and www.dttas.ie. greater
Craft in this size range comprise These craft are covered by the two categories based on the area Merchant Shipping (Life Saving of operation and the time of the Appliances) Rules 1993 – S.I. No. year. Different lifesaving 380 of 1993. appliances apply to the two categories, as follows: Craft greater than or equal to 21.3 metres in length and regardless of Category (1)* craft that are sea area operation must carry the either: lifesaving equipment set out in the ■ Engaged in voyages which do following Table C. not proceed to sea, or ■ Which only proceed to sea during the months of April to October inclusive, on voyages during which the craft is never more than three miles from the coast.
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1 Legislation Table C: Class XII boats – Mandatory Lifesaving Equipment
Lifesaving Equipment Recreational Recreational Craft 21.3 – Craft of 25.9 25.9 metres metres length length Restricted and operations greater
Lifebuoys
Lifebuoy for each 2 persons carried on ✓ board (Minimum of 2)
One Lifebuoy fitted with self-activating ✓ smoke and light signal
One Lifebuoy fitted with buoyant line (18 ✓ ✓ metres)
2 Lifebuoys, one fitted with smoke/light ✓ signal Lifejacket Lifejacket for each person on board ✓
Lifejacket for each person on board with ✓ light fitted Pyrotechnics Six parachute flares or red star rockets ✓ ✓ Waterproof container for flares ✓ ✓ Rescue Signal Table ✓ ✓
Liferaft of sufficient capacity for all ✓ ✓ persons on board
Launching instructions/posters for ✓ ✓ liferaft on display
Training Manual for onboard safety ✓ ✓ equipment
Maintenance instructions for safety ✓ ✓ equipment Line throwing appliance ✓ ✓ Rescue boat and launching davit ✓ 31 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 32
1 1.5.1.3 Class XII recreational blankets, fire hoses and pumps, craft constructed before 1 July etc. 1986 While there are different sets of Safety equipment requirements are Rules which may apply to a broadly similar to those outlined in recreational craft depending on its
Legislation sections 1.5.1.1 and date of construction, the Rules 1.5.1.2. Specific details can be impose similar requirements. obtained from the IMA or by reading the Merchant Shipping (Life Relevant Legislation: Saving Appliances) Rules 1983 - Merchant Shipping (Fire (S.I. No. 302 of 1983). Appliances) Rules 1967 (S.I. No. 101 of 1967) apply to craft 1.5.1.4 Recreational craft less built before 25 May 1980 than 13.7 metres in length - Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) (Post 1980 Ships) There are no statutory lifesaving Rules 1983 (S.I. No. 303 of appliance requirements for 1983) apply to craft built recreational craft less than 13.7 between 25 May 1980 and metres in length apart from the 1 September 1984 Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation - Merchant Shipping (Fire Devices and Operation) (Safety) Appliances) (Post 1980 Ships) Regulations 2005, (S.I. No. 921 of (Amendment) Rules 1985 (S.I. 2005), as amended. However, it is No. 278 of 1985) apply to craft strongly recommended that such built on or after 1 September vessels carry at least a minimum 1984. standard of life saving equipment - Merchant Shipping (Fire and guidance on this is given in Protection) Rules 1985 (S.I. No. Part B of this Code. 279 of 1985) apply to craft built on or after 1 September 1984. 1.5.2 Fire Fighting Equipment
Applicable legislation: ■ Merchant Shipping Fire Appliances Rules.
The term “Fire Appliances” refers to items of fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire
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1 1.5.2.1 Recreational craft of 13.7 metres in length and greater Legislation See Table D below.
Table D: Mandatory Fire Fighting Equipment
Equipment Item Boats Boats Boats of 13.7 – 15 15 – less 21.34 metres than 21.34 metres metres in in in length length and length less than and 150 tonnes greater
Fire Extinguishers
2 fire extinguishers or fire buckets ✓ ✓ (one with lanyard)
3 fire extinguishers or fire buckets ✓ (one with lanyard) 2 fire extinguishers suitable for use on oil fires, for boats with internal ✓ ✓ ✓ combustion engines fitted Fire Pumps/Hoses Manual fire pump (hand operated) ✓ ✓ Dedicated fire pump sea suction ✓ ✓ ✓ Fire hose ✓ ✓
Fire hose nozzle (minimum diameter ✓ ✓ 6 mm) with jet and water spray Power driven fire pump ✓* Fire main and hydrant ✓ 2 fire hoses ✓ Fire hose spray nozzle for machinery ✓ spaces Fireman’s axe ✓
*Power driven fire pumps may be driven from the main engine. However, if this option is used, a second manual fire pump, external to the machinery spaces, must also be supplied. This additional manual pump must be able to supply a 6 metre jet of water through a 10 mm nozzle. 33 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 34
1 1.5.2.2 Recreational craft less authority per se but may be subject than 13.7 metres in length to local authority bye-laws. There are currently no statutory fire Appendix 3 provides further appliance requirements for information in relation to buoyage recreational craft less than 13.7 and marking schemes on some metres in length. However, it is inland waterways.
Legislation strongly recommended that such vessels carry at least a minimum 1.6.1 Shannon Navigation standard of fire appliances and Acts and associated Bye- guidance on this is given in Part B Laws of this Code. Relevant legislation for the Shannon system: 1.6 Inland Waterways and ■ Shannon Navigation Acts 1990 Canal Systems and 2005 Inland waterways comprise the ■ Shannon Navigation navigable sections of the larger (Construction of Vessels) Bye- rivers, the canal network and lakes. Laws 1992 (S.I. No. 79 of 1992) Conditions on inland waterways are ■ Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws generally not as severe as those 1992 (S.I. No. 80 of 1992), as experienced in coastal regions. For amended. the purposes of this Code, inland waterways refer to non-tidal and/or The above legislation applies to fresh water. There are a number of any recreational craft based on the different authorities with a role in Shannon waterway, including lakes managing navigable inland and tributaries. waterways in the State. There is more detail on these authorities in S.I. No. 79 of 1992 specifically Chapter 3. refers to vessel construction requirements, the safety equipment In Ireland, Waterways Ireland has required to be carried, engine responsibility for the Shannon installations, Liquid Petroleum Gas Navigation, the Grand Canal, the and cooker installations. S.I. No. 80 Royal Canal, the Barrow Navigation of 1992 defines authorised officers and the Shannon Erne Waterway. and their powers, speed limits, The Corrib is managed by the maximum drafts, rules of Corrib Navigation Trustees. Parts of navigation, crewing levels, use of other waterways come under the facilities and groundings. jurisdiction of the relevant Harbour Authority and still others (e.g. the All vessels operating on the Slaney) have no navigation Shannon Navigation must be
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1 Legislation registered with Waterways Ireland passing port to port. as set out in Bye-Laws 5 and 6 of ■ A craft proceeding upstream the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws must give way to those going 1992 (S.I. No. 80 of 1992). downstream. ■ Speed limits are to be adhered to A “vessel” is defined as any craft as laid down in the Bye-laws. that is not: ■ On entering the Shannon ■ an open boat or undecked punt Navigation, the direction of ■ a canoe, skiff, skull Buoyage is Northwards. ■ a row boat ■ a boat designed to be propelled Buoys, Beacons and Perches are primarily by oars or sail painted Red on the Port hand and ■ propelled by engine greater than Green on Starboard hand when 15 horsepower. proceeding upstream. Navigation marks are not lit on the Shannon. The bye-laws were amended in 1994 to prevent the discharge of On the Shannon Erne Waterway sewage directly into the navigation east of Lough Scur, the marking from any vessel. system changes to a system of red marks with white flashes where the 1.6.2 Navigation on the white flash indicates the safe side. Shannon The Corrib system uses a red and The Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws green lateral buoyage system which (S.I. No. 80 of 1992) identify the is the same as that on the rules to be followed by craft Shannon. navigating the Shannon waterways. 1.6.3 Canal System Navigation While similar in content to the Navigation on the Royal and Grand COLREGS, there are a number of Canals is controlled by bye-laws additional specific rules that apply. passed under the Canals Act 1986 ■ Vessels shall not run abreast or and 2005. Please contact overtake in any part of the Waterways Ireland for further navigation less than 13 m in width. details on these bye-laws. ■ Vessels navigating with the stream shall be given precedence 1.6.4 Navigation on the Corrib for passage through a bridge by System those craft navigating against the The Lough Corrib Navigation stream of the river. Trustees are responsible for the ■ Boats should keep to the maintenance of navigation aids and starboard side of the fairway a limited number of piers on the 35 prelims_ch1_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:58 Page 36
1 Corrib system, maintenance of the ■ The appointment by local Eglinton canal system, associated authorities, Waterways Ireland, walkways, tow paths, lock gates harbour companies, Iarnród and boundary walls. Éireann and, in respect of the six fishery harbour centres, the 1.7 Maritime Safety Act Minister for Agriculture, Food and
Legislation 2005 (No. 11 of 2005), as the Marine, of authorised amended persons to enforce the provisions One of the primary purposes of this of the Act. The Garda Síochána Act is to strengthen the law against also play a key role in improper use of certain recreational enforcement. craft, to outlaw reckless behaviour ■ The seizure, detention and in operating or on board vessels forfeiture of craft involved in and to promote good practice in serious offences and the operating vessels generally. The disqualification of serious Act also updates safety regulation- offenders from operating the craft making provisions for passenger in question in the interest of boats, fishing vessels and pleasure public safety and heritage craft, and updates penalty and protection. other provisions of certain related ■ Fines of up to €2,000 on Acts. summary conviction for bye-law contraventions. The main provisions of the Act which affect recreational craft are The Local Government as follows: Management Agency website provides links to the individual Part 2 Personal Watercraft and websites for each local authority Recreational Craft area – www.lgcsb.ie/en/irish-local- The main provisions of this Part government. It is recommended are: that checks are made with the ■ Clear powers for local authorities, relevant local authority for Waterways Ireland, harbour information on the beach bye-laws companies, Iarnród Éireann and, that may apply in that county. in respect of the six fishery harbour centres, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to make bye-laws to regulate and control the use of jet skis and other fast powered recreational craft.
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1 Legislation Part 3 Prohibitions relating to ■ a prohibition on endangering Vessels – Codes of Practice for vessels or the safety of persons the Safe Operation of Vessels on board leading, on summary The main provisions of this Part conviction, to a fine of up to address: €5,000 or to imprisonment for a ■ the prohibition of the use of term not exceeding 6 months, or “unseaworthy” vessels in or on both, or on conviction on any waters indictment to a fine not ■ a prohibition on careless or exceeding €100,000 or to dangerous navigation or imprisonment for a term not operation of vessels exceeding 2 years or both ■ prohibitions on the operation of a ■ the preparation and publication vessel while under the influence of Codes of Practice to promote of alcohol or drugs or any the proper and safe operation of combination of drugs or drugs vessels. and alcohol ■ actions arising from drunkenness, disruptive behaviour, etc., of persons on board a vessel
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1 Part 4 Safety Regulations – 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) may apply in Passenger Boats, Fishing particular circumstances. Vessels and Pleasure Craft ■ The main provisions of this Part, For example, where the use of as amended, update and restate recreational craft involves an Ministerial regulation-making employer/employee relationship or
Legislation provisions dating from 1992 in where the use of such craft directly relation to passenger boats, relates to an undertaking of a self- fishing vessels and pleasure employed person, there are duties craft. imposed under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Part 5 Amendment of Certain Further information on the 2005 Act Enactments is available from the Health and This Part updates the offences, Safety Authority at www.hsa.ie or enforcement and penalty provisions Locall 1890 289 389 (between 9am in a number of related Acts, and 12:30pm, Monday to Friday). including those relating to fixed payment notices (“on-the-spot- fines”).
Part 6 Provisions relating to the foreshore and to foreshore and aquaculture licences Part 6 amends certain provisions in the Foreshore Acts. 1.8 Other legislation The main focus of this Code of Practice is the recreational use of craft in Irish waters. However, owners and operators of recreational craft are reminded that where such craft are operated on a commercial basis, certain other legislative requirements under other relevant legislation such as the Merchant Shipping Acts, the Sea Pollution Acts, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act
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Part B Recommended Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft
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Introduction and Application Sailing Dinghies are dealt with in of Part B Chapter 4 due to their specific use, Part B of the Code provides design and construction. guidance for the safe operation of recreational craft. It offers advice on Motorboats form a significant section best safe operating practice for a of the recreational craft market. For variety of types of recreational craft, the purpose of this Code, they are with further information contained in considered as vessels primarily a series of Appendices. propelled by means of an internal combustion engine, regardless of Part B contains recommendations the vessel size, and include petrol, rather than statutory requirements. diesel, inboard or outboard motorboats, but exclude personal Note: watercraft (jet skis) which are For the purpose of Part B, sailing covered in Chapter 5. craft are considered to be craft primarily propelled by harnessing Sailboats while under power are the power of the wind. This covers classed as motorboats, as are lake all forms of day boats, inshore and boats fitted with outboard engines. offshore cruisers, regardless of size, and incorporates competitive and non-competitive boats.
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Chapter 2 Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation
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2 2.1 Training to sea consider the following: It is recommended that persons ■ Weather forecasts (see Appendix participating in sailboat and 6) motorboat activities undertake ■ Tidal information appropriate training. A number of ■ Capability of boat and crew on training schemes and approved board courses are available and ■ Planned route utilising charts information can be obtained directly and pilotage information as from course providers (see required. Appendix 9 for details of course providers). In addition, it is important to always ensure that a designated person 2.2 Voyage Planning ashore is aware of the intended All voyages, regardless of their voyage, departure and return times, purpose, duration or distance, and to have a procedure in place to require some element of voyage raise the alarm if the need arises. planning. SOLAS V (see Marine See Appendix 8 for an example of a Notice No. 9 of 2003) requires that voyage/passage planning template. all users of recreational craft going Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation
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2 2.3 Pre-departure Safety ■ Procedures and operation of Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats – Checks and Briefing communications equipment ■ Be aware of the current weather ■ Location of navigation and other forecast for the area. light switches ■ Engine checks should include oil ■ Method of starting, stopping and levels, coolant and fuel reserves. controlling the main engine ■ Before the commencement of ■ Method of navigating to a any voyage, the skipper should suitable place of safety. ensure that all persons on board are briefed on the following Safety cards are an acceptable way emergency procedures: of providing the above information. o The stowage and use of personal safety equipment 2.4 Recommended safety such as PFD/lifejackets, foul equipment weather gear, lifebuoys and On sailboats and motorboats less fire-fighting appliances than 13.7 metres in length, the o A simple plan of the boat safety equipment carried should showing the locations of such reflect the boat’s function and area safety equipment and posted in of operation. a prominent manner is a useful aid For the purpose of this Code, o The nominated first aider sailboats and motorboats are should be introduced classed in six categories, four of o Location and use of navigation which refer to coastal waters and equipment. are covered in this Chapter. The remaining two categories are dealt In addition to the above, the skipper with in Chapter 3. should provide a more intensive briefing to at least one other person The four categories in this Chapter who will be going on the voyage cover a specific area of operation regarding the following: and are based on wind strength and significant wave heights. However, ■ Location of liferafts and the it should be noted that actual wave method of launching heights and wind strengths ■ Procedures for the recovery of a encountered by such design person from the water (see categories may at times be greater. Chapter 11) Boat owners should be aware of ■ Location and use of fire-fighting the category that applies to their equipment vessel, based on its intended
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2 usage and area of operation, and and wind force greater than ensure it is equipped with the Beaufort 8. required safety equipment. The following paragraphs provide a list 2.4.2 Category B – Offshore and description of each of the Boats in this category would vessel categories. Table E generally be expected to be in recommends the type and quantity excess of 7 metres in length and – of equipment that each category of ■ Cruise around the coasts of craft should carry in the respective Ireland, U.K. and NW Europe, operating areas. ■ Undertake offshore passages of between 50 and 500 miles, Appendices 4 and 6 provide ■ Be capable of sustaining seas up information in relation to anchoring, to 4 metres in height and wind stability and boat handling, and force up to Beaufort 8. weather, sea states and tides respectively. 2.4.3 Category C – Inshore Boats in this category would 2.4.1 Category A – Ocean generally be expected to be in Boats in this category would excess of 5 metres in length and – generally be expected to be greater ■ Operate within 10 miles of land, than 10 metres in length and – and always about four hours ■ Undertake ocean passages, from a safe harbour that can be ■ Be capable of sustaining seas accessed at all times and under greater than 4 metres in height all tidal conditions, Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation
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2 aladMtrBas–Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats –
■ Be capable of operating in seas 2.5 Safety Equipment up to 2 metres in height and wind Checklist force up to Beaufort 6. Table E sets out the recommended type and quantity of equipment that 2.4.4 Category D – Sheltered should be carried for each category waters of craft. The levels of Boats in this category would recommended equipment should generally be expected to: be regarded as a minimum. ■ Operate on tidal estuaries or Owners are encouraged to equip inshore coastal waters adjacent boats to a higher standard. to a safe harbour; ■ Only be used during the hours of Mariners should stow fire daylight, unless equipped with extinguishers and a hand-held VHF necessary lights to comply with in the cockpit, where possible, in Collision Regulations (see order that they are readily Appendix 1) or local navigation accessible in the event of an bye-laws; emergency and in order to avoid ■ Be capable of operating in seas having to go below to retrieve them. of up to 0.3 metres in height with occasional waves of maximum height 0.5 metres, and wind force up to Beaufort 4.
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2 Sail boat and motorboat – Offshore/Coastal ■ Category A Craft – Ocean ■ Category B Craft – Offshore ■ Category C Craft – Inshore ■ Category D Craft – Sheltered waters
Table E: Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Type of Equipment Vessel Category and Quantity of Equipment
1. Lifesaving and personal safety equipment A B C D 1.1 A suitable PFD/lifejacket for each person on board of at least 150 Newtons (CE EN ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 396/I.S. EN ISO 12402-3:2006) (see (100N) Appendix 5). 1.2 Crew safety harness/lifelines for all crew that may have to work on deck at any ✓ ✓ ✓ time. 1.3 Appropriate clothing. ✓ ✓ ✓
1.4 An immersion suit for each crew member ✓ ✓ if operating in northern latitudes. 1.5 Jack Lines capable of being rigged port
Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation and starboard and extending from the aft ✓ ✓ ✓ of the cockpit to the foredeck for use with crew lifelines. 1.6 Life raft of sufficient capacity to cater for ✓ ✓ ✓* all crew carried.*
1.7 Emergency Liferaft Grab Bag for ✓ ✓ ✓ abandoning ship. 1.8 A buoyant heaving line/throw bag. ✓ ✓ ✓
1.9 Horseshoe type lifebelt with light. ✓ ✓ ✓ Danbuoy with flag fitted to one lifebelt.
1.10 Buoyancy sling with floating line – can be ✓ ✓ ✓ fitted in lieu of one horseshoe lifebelt. 1.11 Boarding Ladder. ✓ ✓ ✓
*Category C craft engaged on overnight coastal passages.
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2 aladMtrBas–Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats – 2. Flares (all to be within expiry date and manufacturer’s instructions to be A B C D followed – see Chapter 11) 2.1 Hand held distress flares. (6) (4) (4) (2)
2.2 Hand held white flares. (4) (4)
2.3 Parachute rocket red flares. (12) (4) (4)
2.4 Orange smoke signal canisters. (2) (2) (2) (2)
3. Radios and Communications (see Appendix 2 for additional requirements A B C D for Sea Area A1, A2)
3.1 A suitable fixed Marine Band VHF radio transmitter, with DSC facility (Operators ✓ ✓ ✓ licence required from MSO).
3.2 Marine Band MF/HF/SSB and/or global ✓ satellite communication system.
3.3 EPIRB – type 406 – registered in the ✓ ✓ name of the vessel. 3.4 Radio Transponder unit – SART. ✓ 3.5 Waterproof hand held radio. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.6 A radio receiver AM/FM, capable of receiving shipping forecasts, and ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ national/local weather forecasts. 3.7 Mobile Phone (in waterproof holder). ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.8 NAVTEX. ✓ ✓ ✓
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2
4. Fire Fighting A B C D
4.1 Fire blanket – CE marked. ✓ ✓ ✓ #
4.2 Fire extinguishers in addition to a suitable extinguisher to fight oil fires in (3) (3) (2) engine spaces or fire bucket.* 4.3 All cooker/heaters using Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) should be ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ installed as outlined in Marine Notice No. 37 of 2017. # If carrying cooking equipment * Do not deploy the bucket overboard while the boat is moving.
5. Navigation Equipment A B C D
5.1 Echo Sounder. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.2 Steering Compass. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.3 Hand Bearing Compass. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.4 Speed Log. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.5 GPS. ✓ ✓ ✓ Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation 5.6 Radar Reflector. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.7 Foghorn, powered or aerosol type. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.8 Barometer. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.9 Clock. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.10 Binoculars. ✓ ✓ ✓ 5.11 Sextant and tables. ✓
5.12 Navigation drawing instruments, parallel ✓ ✓ ruler, dividers or plotting instrument.
5.13 Full set of fixed navigation lights including ✓ ✓ ✓ anchor lights. 5.14 Suitable up to date charts, nautical publications and tide tables for areas of ✓ ✓ ✓ cruising.
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2 aladMtrBas–Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats –
6. Bilge Pumping A B C D
6.1 Manual bilge pump capable of pumping from any hull watertight compartment (2) (2) ✓ ✓ and with all hatches closed.
6.2 At least one complete repair kit including ✓ ✓ ✓ spares should be carried.
6.3 An electric or engine driven pump can ✓ ✓ be substituted for a manual model.
6.4 A bucket of capacity 8-12 litres, suitably ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ fitted with a rope lanyard.* 6.5 Softwood tapered plugs, located adjacent to all through hull underwater ✓ ✓ ✓ fittings.
6.6 All through hull fittings to be fitted with ✓ ✓ ✓ isolation valves. * Do not deploy the bucket overboard while the boat is moving.
7. Anchors and Warps A B C D
7.1 Anchor with chain/warp, as appropriate for a vessels size and operating area (2) (2) ✓ ✓ ground holding conditions. 7.2 Boats should have a suitably reinforced deck cleat/Samson post on the foredeck, ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ and means of closing over the bow roller or fairlead used when anchoring.
7.3 An adequate supply of warps and fenders. These should include suitable ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ warps to allow the craft to be towed if necessary.
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2
8. General Equipment A B C D 8.1 Emergency steering means, i.e. tiller for vessels fitted with wheel steering as their ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ primary means of steering.
8.2 Waterproof torch, capable of also being ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ used for signalling.
8.3 An appropriate tool kit and spare parts for ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ the type of craft being used. 8.4 Suitable secondary means of engine starting including battery, hand start or ✓ ✓ ✓ suitable jump leads.
8.5 Suitable First Aid Kit including a First Aid ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Manual.
8.6 Storm sails which can be quickly rigged, or ✓ ✓ ✓ the facility to deep reef sails on yachts. 8.7 Emergency repair kit including sail repair kit, spare wash boards and window ✓ ✓ blanks. 8.8 Emergency water supply. ✓ ✓ 8.9 Bosun's Chair. ✓ ✓
Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation 8.10 Instruction manuals for vessel’s essential ✓ ✓ ✓ equipment. 8.11 Rigid or inflatable tender. ✓ ✓ ✓
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2 2.6 Competitive use – please contact the Irish Sailing Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats – Yachts Association or visit their website The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) www.sailing.ie. See Appendix 10 is the national authority for sailboat for contact details. racing in Ireland. All vessel owners/skippers participating 2.7 Dive Boat operations competitively must be members of 2.7.1 Training the ISA and all such racing must Dive boat operators are comply with the World Sailing recommended to undertake Racing Rules of Sailing, the rules of appropriate training courses. the National Authority and the rules Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (the Irish of the particular Class Association, Underwater Council) recommend where applicable. When a vessel safety standards and a number of sailing under these Rules meets a training courses for dive boat vessel that is not, the vessel shall operators (see Appendix 9 for comply with the International details of course providers). Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (see Appendix 1). 2.7.2 Safety Dive boat operators should be For information on safety guidelines competent in the following: and regulations governing sailing, ■ Be familiar with and experienced
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2 in “picking up divers”, recovery of ■ Correct flag and signals must be equipment procedure in the displayed to indicate to other water, and relevant hand signals. boat users that there are divers ■ Be aware of procedures for in the water. missing diver and missing pair of ■ International Code of Signals divers on the surface. Flag “A”. “I have a diver down, ■ Ability to initiate first aid and keep clear”. oxygen administration to an injured diver(s).
2.7.3 Pre-departure Checks ■ Dive boats should not obstruct and Briefing channels or approaches to harbours. Dive boat users should observe the following additional 2.7.4 Operation of RIBs as precautions: Dive Boats ■ Be aware of weather forecast, ■ When underway in a RIB, tidal conditions and the bottom occupants should wear a conditions for the dive site. PFD/lifejacket in addition to a wet ■ Ensure that the diving group is suit. briefed prior to departure. ■ Ensure the boat is suitable for ■ Contact the Irish Coast Guard the number of persons and gear with the dive plan before leaving carried – do not overload. (Traffic Route). ■ Ensure all buoyancy tubes are at Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation ■ Complete Dive Log Sheet for all the correct pressure. divers (check in and out of the ■ Secure all bottles and equipment water). correctly. ■ Wear a suitable PFD/lifejacket ■ Coxswain to wear engine kill when travelling to and from dive cord when under way. site (S.I. No. 921 of 2005). ■ Ensure all diving equipment is 2.8 National Association regularly tested and serviced. Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (Irish ■ Ensure that an emergency plan is Underwater Council) is the national carried on board and all divers association for diving and are familiar with its contents and underwater sports in Ireland (see location on board. Appendix 10 for contact details). ■ Firmly secure all diving bottles and equipment prior to departure. Dedicated bottle stowage racks should be fitted to dive boats.
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2 2.9 Non-Commercial Pot a V notch and all mutilated Coastal Operation Sail and Motor Boats – Fishing lobsters taken by a boat to be Commercial potting for lobster or returned alive to the sea without crab requires a licence issued by delay; the Licensing Authority for Sea ■ A limit of no more than six pots Fishing Boats, Department of per boat in the sea at any one Agriculture, Food and the Marine, time, and National Seafood Centre, Clonakilty, ■ Prohibiting storing in the sea a Co. Cork. Commercial potting crab or lobster that has a nicked vessels may typically shoot up to 80 or banded claw. pots in a single string. Operators of boats engaged in non- Recreational boaters may also commercial potting should be engage in non-commercial potting aware of a number of associated for lobster or crabs. Such activities dangers including: are limited to a small number of ■ Adverse effects on a vessel’s pots and the catch is intended for handling or stability the owner’s table and not for characteristics due to incorrect commercial resale. stowage of potting equipment or retro-fitting or poor installation of The Non-Commercial Pot Fishing non-design items such as (Lobster and Crab) Regulations hydraulic pot haulers; 2016 (S.I. No. 31 of 2016), ■ Risk of becoming trapped in introduced a range of management potting lines when shooting; measures for non-commercial pot ■ Snagging of propellers due to fishing for crab and lobster. The potting lines; measures apply from 1 February ■ Increased risk of falling 2016 to non-licenced recreational overboard when hauling/shooting boats fishing within the internal pots; waters or territorial seas of the ■ Dangers of capsizing a boat State. The new measures include: when attempting to recover a pot ■ Introducing a closed season snagged on the ocean floor. during the months of October, November, December, January, Non-commercial potting activities February, March and April; should never be undertaken by a ■ Limiting the catch to no more single boatman. Suitable PFDs than one lobster and five crab per should always be worn. Somebody boat in a 24-hour period; ashore should be aware of where ■ Requiring all lobsters containing the boat is intending to operate and when it is expected to return.
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2 Boats engaged in non-commercial potting should have a suitable means of re-boarding in the event of a crew member falling overboard. Attention is also drawn to Marine Notice No. 26 of 2016 and the annexed Good Practice Guide to Pot Marker Buoys.
2.10 Sea Angling Boats Coastal sea angling varies from an individual fishing close inshore for mackerel to major international fishing competitions involving larger ■ Be aware of the dangers boats fishing up to 20 miles associated with fishing, offshore for species such as blue particularly handling hooks, shark, in often difficult or traces, gaffs and gutting uncomfortable conditions. operations; ■ Be aware of the appropriate While commercial angling boats are medical action to take in the required to hold a passenger boat event of an incident with the licence issued by the Department above. A suitable medical kit of Transport, Tourism and Sport should always be carried on and as such are regulated, there
Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal Operation board; are a number of items that any ■ Dress appropriately for the day. angler going to sea or fishing from Make sure warm clothes and a boat should consider: oilskins are available; ■ Be aware of the dangers of ■ Check the boat is fit for purpose. sunburn and use suitable Ensure pre-departure checks are sunblock on exposed skin; undertaken and a pre-departure ■ Be aware of the risks of sea safety briefing is given by the sickness. Take precautions if Master; prone and avoid alcohol. ■ Always wear a PFD when moving around the open deck; ■ Recognise the dangers of moving about on the deck of a moving boat and always use suitable hand holds and the rails provided;
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Chapter 3 Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways
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3 Inland waterways comprise the Waterways Ireland has navigable sections of the larger responsibility for the following: rivers, canal network and lakes. ■ Barrow Navigation Conditions on inland waterways are ■ the Grand Canal generally not as severe as those ■ the Royal Canal experienced in coastal regions. ■ the Shannon-Erne Waterway However, they present their own ■ the Shannon Navigation. unique set of hazards. Difficulties such as locks, open weirs, strong The Lough Corrib Navigation flows in confined spaces, narrow Trustees have responsibility for the bridges, relatively shallow water following inland waterways: and, in the case of the larger lakes, ■ Corrib system significant wave and wind forces, ■ Eglington Canal system may present a danger to small craft. For the purposes of this An Taisce is responsible for the Code, inland waterways refer to Boyne Navigation. non-tidal and/or fresh water. Kerry County Council is There are a number of different responsible for the Tralee Ship authorities with a role in managing Canal. navigable inland waterways in the State. Some of them are listed Other waterways may be under the below: administration of the relevant local authority/county council. Please Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways Waterways Ireland is a check directly with them for further North/South body with details. responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and 3.1 Training restoration of over 1,000 km of It is recommended that persons inland navigable waterways, participating in sail and motorboat principally for recreational craft activities undertake purposes. Special Marine Notice appropriate training. A number of No. 1 of each year issued by training schemes and approved Waterways Ireland gives an courses are available and overview of general guidelines to information can be obtained directly the inland waterways under their from course providers. remit. For the purpose of this Code, sailboats and motorboats are
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3 classed in six categories, four of 3.2.1 Category E Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways which refer to coastal water and are Craft that: covered in Chapter 2. The ■ Are capable of operating on the remaining two categories are dealt larger exposed lakes in extreme with in this Chapter. weather conditions; ■ Have accommodation and can 3.2 Recommended be used for overnight habitation; minimum safety equipment ■ Are capable of extended – Inland Waters voyages. Boat owners should be aware of the category that applies to their 3.2.2 Category F vessel, based on its intended Craft that: usage and area of operation, and ■ Are open boats without shelter ensure it is equipped with the for occupants and generally less required safety equipment. The than 7 metres in length; following paragraphs provide a ■ Operate locally on rivers and description of two vessel sheltered sections of lakes. categories. Table F recommends the type and quantity of equipment that each category of craft should carry in the respective operating areas.
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3 3.3 Safety Equipment boats to a higher standard. Checklist Table F sets out the recommended Mariners should stow fire type and quantity of equipment that extinguishers and a hand-held VHF craft should carry for their category in the cockpit in order that they are of craft. The levels of readily accessible in the event of an recommended equipment should emergency, and in order to avoid be regarded as a minimum. having to go below to retrieve them. Owners are encouraged to equip
Table F: Sail and Motor Boat – Inland Vessel Category and Type of Equipment Quantity of Equipment
1. Lifesaving and personal safety equipment E F 1.1 An approved PFD/Lifejacket for each person on board of at least 100 Newtons (see ✓ ✓ Appendix 5).
1.2 Appropriate clothing. ✓ ✓
1.3 A buoyant heaving line/throw bag. ✓
Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways 1.4 Horseshoe type lifebelt with light. ✓
1.5 Boathook (telescopic/fixed long shaft). ✓ ✓
1.6 Boarding Ladder. ✓
2. Flares (all to be within expiry date and manufacturer’s instructions to be followed – E F see Chapter 11)
2.1 Orange smoke signal canisters. (3) (3)
2.2 Hand held Distress Flares. (3) (3)
2.3 Red Distress rocket flares. (3) (3)
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3 Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways 3. Fire Fighting E F
3.1 Fire blanket – CE marked. ✓ 3.2 Fire extinguishers, one of which is suitable to (2) fight oil fires in engine spaces or fire bucket.* 3.3 All cooker/heaters using LPG should be installed as outlined in Marine Notice No. 37 ✓ of 2017. * Do not deploy the bucket overboard while the boat is moving.
4. Navigation Equipment E F
4.1 Steering Compass. ✓
4.2 Foghorn, powered or aerosol type. ✓ ✓
4.3 Binoculars. ✓
4.4 Navigation drawing instruments, parallel ✓ ruler, dividers or plotting instrument.
4.5 Navigation lights as required by boat length. ✓ ✓
4.6 Suitable up to date charts and/or navigation ✓ guides for cruising.
5. Bilge Pumping E F
5.1 Manual/Electric Bilge pump capable of pumping from any hull watertight ✓ ✓ compartment and with all hatches closed.
5.2 At least one complete repair kit including ✓ spares should be carried.
5.3 A bucket fitted with a rope lanyard (Do not use ✓ bucket overboard while the boat is moving).
5.4 All through hull fittings to be fitted with ✓ isolation valves.
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3
6. Anchors and Warps E F
6.1 Anchor with chain/warp, as appropriate for a (folding vessels size and operating area ground ✓ anchor) holding conditions. 6.2 Boats should have a suitably reinforced deck cleat/Samson post on the foredeck, and a ✓ ✓ suitable bow roller or fairlead used when anchoring. 6.3 An adequate supply of warps and fenders. These should include suitable warps to allow ✓ ✓ the craft to be towed if necessary. Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways
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3 Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways 7. General Equipment E F
7.1 Emergency steering means, i.e. tiller for vessels fitted with wheel steering as their ✓ primary means of steering.
7.2 Waterproof torch. ✓ ✓
7.3 An appropriate tool kit, and spare parts for ✓ ✓ the type of craft being used.
7.4 Suitable secondary means of engine starting ✓ including battery or hand start.
7.5 Appropriate First Aid Kit. ✓ ✓
7.6 Storm Sail which can be quickly rigged, or the ✓ facility to deep reef existing sails (Yachts).
7.7 Set of Oars / Oarlocks / Paddles. ✓ ✓
7.8 Suitable Knife. ✓ ✓
7.9 Instruction manuals for vessel’s essential ✓ equipment.
7.10 Rigid or inflatable tender. ✓
7.11 Laminated cards for life-saving and distress ✓ signals.
7.12 International Code of Signals Flag V ✓ I Require Assistance.
8. Communications Equipment E F
8.1 VHF Radio (fixed unit or handheld). ✓ ✓
8.2 AM/FM Radio. ✓
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3 3.4 Boat Angling – Inland arrangements by fitting of swivel Waters seating for anglers on thwarts or While inland water conditions are directly to gunwales; different to those of coastal or sea ■ Fitting of permanent launching areas, they can be equally as wheels to the transom; dangerous to small craft due to ■ Using an outboard engine of a rapid local deterioration of weather power rating in excess of the and surface conditions that can boats design rating. Maximum occur. There have been multiple power ratings will be displayed fatalities among users of small on the boat’s CE/RCD plate; boats on our inland waters in recent ■ Allowing repairs or alterations to years. be undertaken by unqualified persons using unsuitable or Fishing from small boats on larger inappropriate materials. rivers and inland lakes is a popular past time. Craft used are Anglers and operators of boats predominantly of a small, narrow should always be aware of their beamed, low freeboard design, stability limitations. Never propelled by either oars or outboard overload or overpower such engines. Historically these boats boats and always exercise the were wooden boats of clinker type following best practice in their construction. In latter years they use: have been replaced by fiberglass ■ Be aware of the area weather replicas. forecast in advance and check Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways on it regularly throughout the day Fibreglass boats constructed after while on the water; 1998 must comply with the ■ Be aware of local conditions and Recreational Craft Directive and dangers on the lake. If new to each hull must have a CE marking the area, always seek local and plate fitted. advice before launching; ■ Always wear a suitable PFD of a It is essential that owners do not type that can be worn when modify or alter boats from their fishing but which offers sufficient original design. Doing so may buoyancy to an individual in the compromise the stability, handling water. Take into consideration characteristics or sea keeping clothing such as waders, boots, qualities of a boat. Examples of etc. that may be worn when such modifications are: fishing; ■ Modification of seating ■ Be aware of the contact details
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3 for local rescue services; Appendix 4 provides information in Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways ■ Always inform a person ashore relation to anchoring, stability and of details of the persons on boat handling. board, the areas of intended operation, and launching and 3.5 Communications return times; It is recommended that all vessels ■ Do not overload the boat beyond operating on inland lakes and its design rating; waterways carry a VHF radio. ■ Never overpower the boat with Hand-held VHF batteries should be an outboard engine in excess of fully charged prior to departure. the boat’s maximum power Vessels should also consider design rating; carrying an EPIRB or PLB on ■ Carry sufficient anchoring board. (See Radiocommunications equipment and have it readily section 1.2.11 for more information available to anchor the boat on EPIRBs and PLBs). quickly in an emergency. Practice regularly! Vessel operators are reminded that ■ If operating single handed, a ship radio licence issued by the make sure a means of quickly Department of Transport, Tourism reboarding the boat is available and Sport and a suitably qualified in the event of a person operator are required for vessels overboard situation occurring; carrying marine radio equipment. ■ Pre-plan prior to departure, to deal with possible rapid It is recommended that all vessels deterioration of conditions on the operating on inland lakes and water, for example: waterways carry a mobile phone, o Identify alternative safe ideally stored in a waterproof pouch landing points; or container. The mobile phone o Check radio/phone coverage should be fully charged prior to in the area of operation; departure. o Be aware of other boats operating the area; Vessels on inland lakes and o Check that all boat safety waterways are recommended to equipment is present and carry a Global Positioning System operating; (GPS) to allow the vessel to o Carry sufficient fuel/spares to indicate its position accurately to deal with emergencies; the search and rescue services in o Brief crew on the actions to the event of an emergency. take in emergency situations.
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3 Users of inland lakes and where boats/water craft are waterways are reminded that Coast being introduced into a National Guard VHF and mobile phone Park or Nature Reserve, as a network coverage is not licence or permission may be guaranteed on inland lakes and required; waterways, particularly in remote ■ Always thoroughly clean/wash locations. your boat, engine and trailer prior to launching; Regular testing of communications ■ Angling equipment, including equipment should be carried out to nets and waders, should be confirm correct operation. thoroughly washed and dried out before being used on a fishing 3.6 Spread of invasive trip; species by boats on inland ■ Anglers should use artificial lure waters in place of live bait; In recent years a number of new ■ Avoid launching boats/engines invasive species of flora and fauna, on multiple waterways. Use such as the Zebra Mussel and locally hired boats if possible. Asian Clam, have been introduced into Irish lakes and rivers. These Further information is available species impact in a negative from the National Parks and manner on existing natural species, Wildlife Service: in many cases leading to their extinction. National Parks & Wildlife Service Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways 7 Ely Place Many lakes and waterways now Dublin 2 require boats to be registered to D02 TW98 operate and visitor boats are controlled. Measures have been Telephone: +353 (0)1 888 3242 put in place, which boat owners LoCall: 1890 383 000 should follow, to limit the Fax: +353 (0)1 888 3272 propagation of new species into our Email: inland waters, including: [email protected] ■ If travelling to a new area, make Website: www.npws.ie prior enquiries regarding any control measures that may be Information regarding the spread of applied by the relevant invasive species is also available at authorities. For example, the www.invasivespeciesireland.com. National Parks and Wildlife Service should be contacted
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Chapter 4 Sailing Dinghies
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4 4.1 Training 3. Your dinghy should have an It is recommended that dinghy effective means of bailing water. sailors undertake appropriate 4. Carry a paddle on board. training, including in capsize and 5. Carry a towing painter on board. recovery techniques. A number of 6. The crew in the dinghy should training schemes and approved be familiar with capsize recovery courses are available and techniques and towing information may be obtained techniques. directly from course providers (see 7. Ensure that the dinghy has
Sailing Dinghies Appendix 9 for details of course sufficient buoyancy. Check all providers). buoyancy tanks and plugs prior to departure. 4.2 Safety 8. Always ensure that a designated Recommendations person ashore is aware of If you are dinghy sailing, you departure and return times and should adhere to the following have a procedure in place to practices: raise the alarm if necessary. 1. Always wear a suitable Membership of a club will PFD/lifejacket when sailing. generally offer this facility in Buoyancy provided by a wet suit addition to providing safety or dry suit is not sufficient (see boats for members engaged in Part A of this Code for statutory club activities. requirements). 9. Check weather and sea 2. Wear suitable clothes, wetsuits conditions prior to departure. or drysuits, particularly if there is potential to capsize.
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4 10. Avoid main shipping lanes (see 4.3 National Association Sailing Dinghies Appendix 3). The Irish Sailing Association is the 11. Sail in company for safety. national governing body for sailing 12. Be aware of your own personal in Ireland and can be contacted at: capabilities in handling a boat under various weather Irish Sailing Association conditions. 3 Park Road 13. If your dinghy is operating in a Dun Laoghaire remote area, carry additional Co. Dublin safety equipment, i.e. a hand- A96 K3C3 held VHF radio and additional pyrotechnics (parachute rocket Telephone: +353 (0)1 280 0239 red flares and hand-held Email: [email protected] flares). Website: www.sailing.ie
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Chapter 5 Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats
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5 Personal Watercraft (PWC) such as ■ A flare pack should be carried jet skis or water/wet bikes are a containing a minimum of 1 x rapidly growing segment of the pinpoint red, 2 x orange smoke recreational craft market. in a watertight container. ■ Carry a suitable folding anchor. A PWC is a watercraft that is less than 4.88 metres (16 feet) long, propelled by a two stroke petrol engine directly powering a water jet pump and designed to be operated by a person who sits, stands or kneels on it. They are capable of speeds exceeding 100 km/hr and are highly manoeuvrable in ■ A collapsible paddle, which can competent hands. be stowed on board for use in the event of engine failure. 5.1 Training ■ Basic first aid kit. It is recommended that persons ■ PWC should be equipped with a operating a PWC undertake lanyard/kill cord to cut out the appropriate training. There are a engine; the lanyard/kill cord must number of training schemes and be attached to the operator's approved courses available and body, clothing, or PFD/lifejacket. information can be obtained directly A spare lanyard/kill cord should from course providers (see always be carried on board. Appendix 9 for details of course providers).
5.2 Recommended equipment for personal watercraft (PWC) ■ Rope (5 m x 8 mm Nylon) for use in towing and mooring. ■ Knife. ■ Torch. ■ Basic Tool Kit. Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats Personal Watercraft ■ Fire Extinguisher.
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5 5.3 Personal equipment to to the PWC and located inside Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats be worn/carried by operator the door of the storage of the PWC compartment. ■ Suitable PFD/lifejacket (see ■ Ensure all engine access and Appendix 5). storage doors are correctly ■ A whistle, fitted to each secured and sealed. PFD/lifejacket to attract attention ■ Be aware of correct procedures in the event of an emergency or for launching and recovery of a entering the water. PWC using a trailer. ■ Suitable clothing, including a ■ Operators should be familiar with wetsuit and hand/foot protection. and have practiced the ■ A suitable helmet, preferably procedure for righting a capsized fitted with facial protection, if boat. Rolling a craft over the operating offshore or involved in wrong way may result in water wave jumping. entering into the engine, causing ■ Goggles are recommended, serious damage to it and especially for salt water riding. rendering the PWC inoperative.
5.4 Personal watercraft 5.4.2 Emergency Procedures operations ■ In the event of falling off the craft into cold water, re-board 5.4.1 Prior to entering the immediately. Immersion in cold water (Pre-Launch Checks) water can result in a life- ■ To protect other water users and threatening drop in body due to high noise levels temperature (hypothermia). generated, PWC may be subject Hypothermia can also be caused to specific local bye-laws issued by wind chill, rain and by harbour or local authorities to perspiration. To avoid this restrict speed or the areas of danger, prepare by dressing operation. It is the responsibility correctly including of PWC operators to be familiar wetsuit/drysuit, hand/foot with the relevant bye-laws in protection. Wearing your force in the waters they use. PFD/lifejacket affords additional ■ Check the weather/sea condition protection against the cold. forecast before starting out. ■ If in difficulty, remain with your ■ Always complete a safety PWC. Do not try to swim to shore checklist (see section 5.7) prior in cold water unless you are very to departure. A waterproof close to safety and you have no laminated copy of the checklist expectation of speedy should be permanently attached
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5 assistance. Swimming and towing a float, it is essential to treading water use up valuable carry an observer. This should energy and produce rapid heat only be done on craft with a loss. If it is not possible to get out carrying capacity of 3 or more of the water, wearing your persons. PFD/lifejacket will help increase ■ Always ensure sufficient fuel is your survival time by keeping on board for any intended trip. your head out of the water. Plan to return with the fuel tank one third full thereby allowing for 5.4.3 On the water any possible emergencies. ■ Do not drink alcohol or take ■ Additional petrol should not be drugs when riding a PWC: it is carried on board and no fuel illegal to do so and your ability to transfer should be attempted make quick decisions is once the vessel is afloat. impaired. This is critical when operating a fast and 5.5 Offshore Cruising manoeuvrable PWC. Subject to suitable weather and sea ■ Study the manufacturer's conditions, these craft are capable manual. Practice the handling of of undertaking coastal or offshore your PWC under experienced passages. supervision in open water and ■ Such passages should be well away from other boaters. undertaken in company with ■ Be alert for the wave, wind, cloud other PWCs or suitable support changes that may signal weather boats. changes. ■ A nominated person ashore ■ Avoid skiing alone, especially at should be aware of departure sea. times, destinations and expected ■ A high incidence of accidents arrival/return times. with PWCs involve collisions with other craft. Operators should It is recommended that the exercise the utmost caution following are carried on board: when approaching or overtaking ■ Compass. other boats and should never ■ Waterproof VHF Radio. manoeuvre at speed in close ■ Passage Plan. proximity to other PWC, boats or ■ Chart of sea area. Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats Personal Watercraft swimmers (see Appendix 1). ■ Where applicable, use buoyed The majority of PWCs are not fitted channels and designated zones. with navigation lights, which the law ■ If engaged in waterskiing or requires for operating at night.
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5 Therefore the use of such PWCs is Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats restricted to a period between sunrise and sunset.
5.6 National Association The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) is the national governing body for PWCs in Ireland (see Appendix 10 for contact details).
5.7 Personal Watercraft Safety Checklist
Personal Gear Tickbox Pre-Launch Checks Tickbox PFD/Lifejacket Local Bye-laws/speed restrictions Whistle Weather Forecast Wetsuit Tides Gloves Local Chart Helmet Fuel and oil tank full Goggles Seats/Hatches sealed PWC Equipment Tickbox External hull check Tow Rope Engine test run Flare Pack Engine Stops tested Anchor Offshore Cruising Tickbox Collapsible Paddle Cruise in company First Aid Kit Passage Plan Engine Kill Cord Nominated Person Ashore Spare Engine Kill Cord VHF Radio Knife Compass Torch Basic Tool Kit Fire Extinguisher
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5 5.8 High Speed ■ Check engine oil levels, etc; Power/Sports Boats – ■ Ensure all on board wear suitable Operation and handling clothing. Be aware of the effects A high-speed power/sports boat is of wind chill at speed; ■ generally regarded as one capable Carry sunscreen protection – of achieving speeds in excess of 17 factor 15+; ■ knots. There are a variety of craft If using an inflatable boat or RIB, designed as high speed ensure all tubes are correctly power/sports boats, including rigid inflated; ■ GRP Vee profile hulls, RIBs, Engine kill cord – Always wear Cathedral type dory hulls, etc. The one, and test it prior to departing high speeds that can be attained by the berth; ■ these craft place specific demands Competency and Skills – Ensure on the skills and capabilities of their you have received adequate operators. These craft allow a training in the operation and handling characteristics of the much shorter reaction time to an boat type you are using. incident than conventional motor craft. 5.8.2 On the water ■ Maintain a good all round lookout, It is recommended that persons particularly when in main shipping participating in power/sports boat channels; activities undertake appropriate ■ Observe designated speed limits, training. A number of training particularly on passage through schemes and approved courses anchorages, marina approaches are available and information can and areas used by swimmers; be obtained directly from course ■ Be aware of the wash generated providers (see Appendix 9). by your boat, in particular when close to or passing other boats; Persons under 16 years of ■ Know your limits – be aware of age are not allowed to be in your ability and capability; command of a fast power/sports ■ Know the boat’s limits; craft, i.e. a craft that can attain ■ Check fuel reserves regularly; a speed through or over water ■ Do not overload the craft – these of 17 knots or more craft are designed for a maximum number of persons. If the boat is Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats Personal Watercraft 5.8.1 Pre-departure Checks CE marked, this number will be ■ All persons on board any boat indicated on the CE plate on the under 7 metres in length must transom; wear a PFD/lifejacket – it’s the ■ Secure all boat equipment law; correctly; 74 Recreational_partB_ch2_5fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:01 Page 75
5 ■ Ensure all occupants are secure driver aboard the towing craft. Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats and use the supplied seating and ■ Towing rides should only be handgrips; undertaken in areas either ■ If intending to swim from your specifically designated or in boat, consider its freeboard. areas clear of other shipping and Check beforehand and make water users. sure there is a suitable means to ■ Ensure your Insurance Company reboard from the water. is aware of these activities.
5.9 Waterskiing, When waterskiing, both observer Wakeboarding and towed and skier should be aware of the rides correct procedures and signals Persons involved in towed activities required. It is recommended that such as waterskiing, wakeboarding individuals undertake suitable and the towing of inflatable training and coaching. doughnuts, etc., should be aware of the following: The Irish Waterski and Wakeboard ■ A suitable PFD/lifejacket must be Federation is the national body for worn. waterskiing in Ireland (see ■ There should always be an Appendix 10 for contact details). observer in addition to the boat
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5 5.10 Competitive use – Power Boats The Irish Sailing Association is the National Authority for powerboat racing in Ireland. Racing is organised by clubs affiliated to the Association. All racing is run in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), which is the world governing body. The UIM set out requirements for vessel safety, skipper qualification, scrutiny requirements and safety management during a race. Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and High Speed Power Boats Personal Watercraft
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Chapter 6 Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards
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6 6.1 Training It is recommended that persons participating in windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding activities undertake appropriate training. There are a number of windsurfer training schemes and approved courses available. Information can be obtained directly from course providers (see Appendix 9 for details of course providers).
6.2 Windsurfing Safety 6.2.1 Prior to entering the water ■ Examine your rigging for worn ropes or loose fittings. Ensure all are correctly cleated and tied off. ■ Check the condition of the board. Ensure there is a safety leash (where fitted) between the board and rig. ■ Check all foot straps and fins are
Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards Windsurfing suitably attached. Examine the mast foot. Ensure the universal joint and mast track are in good condition. ■ Advise someone ashore where you are going and when you will be back. ■ Avoid sailing in offshore winds, ■ Carry essential spares, spare and be aware of the influence of rigging lines, a 4 metre towing tidal streams, both of which may line, a dayglo flag or miniflare carry you offshore or away from and a whistle to attract attention. your start point. These items can be carried in a ■ Ensure that your name and harness pocket or bum bag. contact number are marked on ■ Check the local weather and sea your board. Where possible, area forecast for the area you apply retro reflective tape to the propose to sail in. board hull.
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6 ■ Avoid sailing alone – there is Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards safety in numbers. ■ Choose a recognised boardsailing venue where you can learn from other sailors. Beginners should stick to enclosed waters. ■ Be aware of local bye-laws. Never sail in designated restricted areas or areas crowded by swimmers. ■ Avoid offshore winds until proficient, as sailing back upwind once tired or overpowered becomes much more difficult. ■ Be sure of your self-rescue capabilities with any rig you may ■ Avoid collisions. be using. If in doubt, do a ■ Remain with your board no practice drill. matter what happens, it is your ■ Dress correctly – a wetsuit is largest buoyancy aid. Use the advised (unless the weather is International hand distress very warm) plus hat, sunscreen signals if necessary (slowly and and long sleeves to protect from repeatedly raising and lowering the sun. arms outstretched to each side). ■ It is recommended that persons ■ Be aware of hypothermia and participating in windsurfing leave the water if symptoms activities should always wear a occur (shivering, numb PFD/lifejacket. extremities and poor co- ■ Be aware of your limitations. If in ordination). doubt, don't go out. ■ Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty 6.3 National Association of water. The Irish Windsurfing Association (IWA) is an affiliated club of the 6.2.2 On the water Irish Sailing Association and as ■ Sail cautiously when leaving and such is the governing body for returning to shore to avoid competitive windsurfing. running aground or colliding with Windsurfing events are run in others. accordance with the safety ■ Never sail further from the shore guidelines of the IWA (see than is necessary. Appendix 10 for contact details).
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6 6.4 Stand-Up Paddle coastal areas, the following safety Boards (SUPs) precautions should be taken: A recent development of the traditional surfing long board has 6.4.1 Prior to entering the seen them equipped with paddles water to navigate across the flat water of ■ Wear appropriate clothing, e.g. a lakes, estuaries and coastal areas. wetsuit. ■ Wear a suitable PFD with a When used for the purposes of whistle to attract attention. navigation (i.e. outside the activities ■ Undertake training with an of surfing and swimming), SUPs approved course provider. are regarded as a craft and are ■ Know how to tow another board. subject to the requirements of ■ Be aware of any local bye-laws recreational craft. and rules of navigation. ■ Carry a handheld VHF radio or If using a SUP for navigation on the mobile phone in a waterproof flat waters of lakes, estuaries or cover. Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards Windsurfing
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6 6.4.2 On the water 6.5 National Association Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards ■ Be a competent swimmer. The Irish Surfing Association is the ■ Ensure the board is provided national governing body for Stand- with a suitable leash, and use it. Up Paddle Boarding activities in ■ Do not paddle alone. Ireland (see Appendix 10 for ■ Always ensure somebody ashore contact details). is aware of your location and return time and avoid paddling at night. ■ Only paddle in waters that are suitable and safe. Understand the elements and hazards – winds, tidal ranges and flows.
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6
6.6 Other water-based With the increased popularity of activities activities such as surfing and kite While this Code of Practice is surfing, attention is drawn to a Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boards Windsurfing focused primarily on the safe range of safety information leaflets operation of certain navigable and guidelines that are available to recreational craft, there are many view or download on the other water-based activities where www.safetyonthewater.ie website appropriate training, knowledge and from bodies such as Irish and safety awareness are of similar Water Safety at www.iws.ie and the importance. Irish Surfing Association at www.irishsurfing.ie.
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Chapter 7 Canoeing/Kayaking
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7 Canoeing covers a wide and canoes (see Appendix 9 for details diverse range of disciplines of course providers). including sea kayaking, white water kayaking, surf kayaking, polo, 7.2 Prior to entering the slalom, marathon, sprint, freestyle water and touring. ■ Ensure you are a competent swimmer and capable of A canoe is a lightweight narrow surviving in the water in the boat, typically pointed at both ends areas you operate in. and open on top, propelled by one ■ Undertake a First Aid course and or more seated or kneeling a life-saving course.
Canoeing/Kayaking paddlers facing the direction of ■ Never operate alone, always travel using a single-bladed paddle. canoe in company. ■ Do not operate a canoe if under A kayak is a small, narrow boat the influence of alcohol or drugs. which is propelled by means of a ■ Inspect your craft and equipment double-bladed paddle. thoroughly. Check it is fitted with adequate buoyancy material and In this Code of Practice, the term that such buoyancy is correctly canoe when used also refers to a distributed and secured within kayak. the hull. ■ Ensure that the bung is fitted There are a number of basic safety correctly. precautions that should be applied ■ Do not use the canoe unless you to any canoeing activity, regardless are certain it is watertight. Boats of its speciality. with temporary repairs should not be used. 7.1 Training ■ If carrying additional equipment, Undertake a recognised training ensure that the canoe is never course in the correct use of the overloaded. specific type of canoe you wish to ■ Use a spray deck, with quick use. Be completely familiar with release where relevant, and be relevant rescue/recovery drills, self- completely familiar with its use. righting techniques, e.g. Eskimo ■ When using a spray deck, roll, etc. Practice such drills with ensure that the grab loop is in fellow members of your group. good condition and is within Canoeing Ireland have a reach. comprehensive training and ■ Always ensure that your accreditation scheme, which covers name/contact address are river, sea kayaking and open permanently marked on the hull.
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7 Canoeing/Kayaking
The addition of strips of retro- ■ All kayaks should have suitable reflective tape to the hull is footrests. recommended. ■ Check the hull is fitted with grab 7.3 Personal Safety loops/towing lines. Kayaks over Equipment 270 cm in length should have ■ PFD/lifejacket (see Appendix 5). decklines fitted fore and aft. ■ The PFD should be fitted with a Kayaks less than 270 cm in whistle to attract attention, be in length should have cowtails a Hi-Visibility colour and fitted fitted. with retro-reflective strips. ■ Ensure that a responsible person ■ Ensure you are suitably attired is aware of your intended for the type of activity, area of departure, locations and return operation and time of the year. details. ■ Be aware of the dangers of ■ Ensure that you carry a mobile hypothermia when wet and phone or Marine VHF radio in a exposed to the elements. suitable watertight cover for use ■ If paddling where the risk of head to summon assistance in injury exists, a suitable helmet emergency situations. should always be worn. ■ Open canoes are not suitable for ■ When making descents on the sea. remote rivers of Grade 3 and 85 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:02 Page 86
7 ■ Have a passage plan and alternative emergency plans, e.g. safe landing area down wind, etc. ■ Do not operate alone – kayak in company. ■ If capsized and floating outside your craft, remain with it. It offers a better target to rescuers and has a high buoyancy factor. Do higher, and while sea-kayaking, not attempt to swim for shore you should carry a registered unless adjacent to the shore. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Canoeing/Kayaking This will enable early alerting of The following additional equipment the rescue services in the event should be considered: of an emergency. ■ Flares ■ Towrope/throw bag 7.4 Sea Kayaking ■ Torch Sea kayakers should observe the ■ Suitable knife following additional precautions: ■ Portable waterproof VHF radio ■ Be aware of the weather forecast ■ Portable GPS unit and sea area forecast. Only ■ Personal EPIRB operate within your limits and ■ First Aid Kit ability. Canoeing in a windforce 4 ■ Spare food/drink or above should only be ■ Paddle float/leash considered for the very ■ Sun cream and sun hat. experienced. ■ Be aware of the tidal conditions Essential equipment should be for the areas that you are carried on the person or in an operating in. easily recoverable buoyant grab ■ Be aware of the effects of bag. interaction between wind and tide on sea states. 7.5 River ■ Carry a chart for the area of Kayaking/Canoeing operation. These can be River kayaking ranges from touring laminated and attached to the on slow moving Grade 1 water in kayak deck. either open canoes or recreational ■ Carry a hand held compass. kayaks, to the more extreme white ■ Ensure a nominated person water river running, which can ashore is aware of your itinerary, include whitewater rapids, departure and return times. waterfalls and features such as
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7 Canoeing/Kayaking
stoppers and undercuts. Freestyle ■ Contact numbers for medical kayaking is at the more extreme assistance/rescue end of the canoeing spectrum. authorities/lockkeepers should Trained and competent persons be available on site; only should attempt this activity. ■ Kayaks should have adequate buoyancy; In addition to the basic safety ■ Get First Aid training and carry a precautions mentioned First Aid Kit on river trips; previously, operators should ■ If carrying a throwbag, also carry observe the following additional a knife; checks and advice: ■ Depending on the difficulty of the river, consider carrying some of ■ Hulls are examined for damage the following: each time prior to entering the o Split paddles; water; o Webbing slings and ■ Potential courses should be carabiners; studied for hidden dangers, o Duct tape; snags, currents, etc., prior to o Dry clothes; putting boats in the water; o Group shelter; ■ Boats should never operate o Food and money; alone on a stretch of water; o Matches/lighter. ■ In extreme and difficult locations, ■ Be aware of the river’s grading shore based rescue/recovery and of the water level before personnel should be in committing. The different grades attendance, trained and are listed in the Table on the equipped in the rapid recovery of following page. persons in distress;
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7 Grade I: Water is stationary or extremely slow moving Flat Water and without any obstructions. The way down a river is clear but simple Grade II: obstructions do exist. Small stoppers and small Moderately Difficult drops can be present. There are places where the flow accelerates. There is a choice of routes. There is a route that is easily recognisable from Grade III: the water. Waves can be irregular. Boulders and Difficult obstructions can be numerous. Stoppers and small eddies exist. Inspection is advisable. The route is not always clear and inspection is Canoeing/Kayaking advisable. Rapids are continuous and breakouts Grade IV: are few and small. Stoppers are powerful. Very Difficult Continual manoeuvring with precise control and good decision making is required. Inspection is essential because serious dangers can exist. Large drops, narrow passages, very Grade V: complex boulder fields, ever changing water and Extremely Difficult difficult holes are characteristic of this grade. Difficulties are continuous.
The Canoeing Ireland website has registered Personal Locator more detail on the levels of river Beacons (PLBs). This will enable grading (http://canoe.ie/river- early alerting of the rescue grading-and-area-definitions). services in the event of an ■ Be particularly cautious during emergency. flood water conditions. ■ In rivers of a high flow rate, with ■ Inspect unknown drops before extended periods of rapids, it is running them; be aware that recommended that kayaking drops may change or that new groups should consider using hazards may have formed (e.g. waterproof radios to allow fallen trees, etc.). Set up bank communication between group based rescue, where members when line of sight is appropriate. not possible. ■ Consult Waterways Ireland Marine Notices and lockkeepers 7.6 National Association for local information. Canoeing Ireland is the national ■ Kayaking groups making association for canoe and kayak descents on remote rivers of based activities in Ireland (see Grade 3 and higher should carry Appendix 10 for contact details).
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Chapter 8 Rowing Boats
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8 Rowing includes “Olympic Style” ■ A sound signalling device – air or rowing boats, racing gigs/skiffs and aerosol power klaxon traditional racing currachs. ■ Thermal exposure blankets ■ Lifebuoys or additional 8.1 Training PFD/lifejackets to assist persons It is recommended that rowers in the water undertake appropriate training. A ■ Suitable First Aid Kit number of training schemes and ■ Anchor and line Rowing Boats approved courses are available and ■ Knife information may be obtained ■ Engine Kill Cord to be used by directly from course providers the engine operator including Rowing Ireland (see ■ Paddle Appendix 9 for details of course ■ Suitable handholds fixed to the providers). side of the boat – to assist persons being rescued. 8.2 Olympic style rowing boats All participants should be aware of These boats are used in the rowing the requirements set out in the events in the Olympic Games and Rowing Ireland Water Safety Code. are governed in Ireland by Rowing Ireland. The following safety points 8.3 Boat construction and should be adhered to at all times. equipment ■ A coach and/or a safety boat All rowing equipment should be should be in attendance at all kept in good order and inspected times. Operators of such safety regularly. ■ boats should be suitably qualified Buoyancy compartments located and boats should be suitably in bow and stern must be identified by markings or warning checked to ensure they are in flags to alert other craft in the area good order and will function as that there are rowing boats on the intended. Boats should be water. handled carefully and correctly at all times when out of water to Coach/safety boats should carry avoid damage to hulls or injury to the following items of equipment: crews or spectators. ■ Suitable bailer ■ Boats, when placed on water and ■ Suitable inflatable pump – if an prior to crew embarking, should inflatable is used as a rescue be checked to confirm they are boat safe, free of leaks and all moving ■ A throw bag with at least 10 m of parts are functioning. buoyant line ■ Restraints and quick release 90 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:03 Page 91
8 mechanisms must be in good Rowing Boats working order on boats equipped with fitted shoes. The use of Velcro straps on fixed shoes, as opposed to lace-ups, is recommended. ■ Check ventilation bungs are in position and that outriggers, swivels, seats, etc. are secure. ■ Ensure all steering mechanisms are working. ■ Sculls and oar buttons should be checked to ensure they are secure and properly set. ■ 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 be aware of departure times, destinations and return times. ■ All persons participating should be in good health and capable of swimming 100 m while wearing light clothing. ■ All boat coxswains should wear an approved PFD/lifejacket at all times.
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.
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8 Coaches, coxswains and crew ■ Coaches/Crews should not should at all times be aware of local operate these boats in waters navigation rules, including any that are beyond the capabilities possible hazards or potential of the crew or boats. dangers arising from tidal, stream ■ Coaching/Rescue boats that are or wind that may prevail locally. in attendance should be suitably When racing in competitions, the equipped and be operated by Water Safety Code of Rowing competent operators. Rowing Boats Ireland is to be adhered to fully. 8.5 National Associations 8.4 Coastal racing Rowing Ireland is the governing gigs/Traditional racing body for rowing in Ireland and currachs represents over 100 clubs across Ireland (See Appendix 10 for ■ Crew engaged in racing these contact details). boats should wear a suitable PFD/lifejacket at all times. The Irish Coastal Rowing ■ Boats should be equipped with a Federation is a governing body for means of attracting attention coastal rowing in Ireland (see (Aerosol Klaxon). Appendix 10 for contact details).
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Chapter 9 Charter Boats/ Bare Boat Hire
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9 Craft that are supplied with a require customers to prove levels of skipper and crew as part of a hire competency to the hiring are regarded as Passenger Boats company’s satisfaction. and must be surveyed and licensed by the Marine Survey Office of the Members of the public intending to IMA. Boats that are offered for hire hire such craft should ask the boat without crew and for operation by company about the issues listed in private individuals are classed as sections 9.1 to 9.3. charter or bare boat hire. 9.1 Training There is a range of boats available While some operators offer a for hire to the public. Examples comprehensive training scheme, include: including personal instruction and ■ Cabin Cruisers transiting the videos, some may not. Before Shannon waterways. departing on any boat, customers ■ Sail boats for use on extended should request instruction by the coastal trips. owner/operator in the following Charter Boats/Bare Boat Hire ■ Boats used for angling on inland items, specifically relating to the lakes. boat they are hiring: ■ Day boats for short local trips ■ Engine operation, including (coastal or inland). operation of controls and basic ■ Sailing Dinghies. engine checks. ■ Windsurfers. ■ Emergency operation of boat ■ Barges. equipment, e.g. emergency steering, alternative means of There are a number of boat charter engine starting, anchoring. associations whose members ■ Location of all safety equipment adhere to an agreed code of (including PFD/lifejackets). operation which covers such items ■ Operation of safety equipment, as: including donning PFD/lifejacket, ■ Safety equipment supplied. flares, radio, as applicable to ■ Operating limitations for boats. boat type. ■ Training and familiarisation for ■ Fire-fighting appliance location customers in handling boats. and use (if applicable to boat ■ Emergency backup and type). maintenance. ■ Means of pumping bilges. ■ Actions in the event of running Depending on the type of boat aground. being chartered and the proposed ■ Instruction in boat handling, itinerary, some operators will including berthing alongside,
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9 going astern, man overboard ■ What is the extent of the Charter Boats/Bare Boat Hire manoeuvres and recovery insurance cover? procedures (this should consist ■ Are there any restrictions or of a short practical conditions (such as suitability for demonstration). use on canals or permit ■ Details of area of operation, local compliance) that apply to the weather conditions, maps/charts, insurance cover? Marine Notices as relevant. ■ Maximum number of people/ Non-adherence to terms and luggage that a craft may carry. conditions of insurance may cause ■ Contact points for rescue difficulties and result in insurance services, radio channels and being voided. relevant mobile phone numbers. 9.3 Minimum safety Training courses are provided by equipment on board various organisations (see All boats offered for hire without a Appendix 9). skipper should as a minimum be fitted with the safety equipment 9.2 Insurance recommended in Table E in ■ Is the boat covered by Chapter 2 and Table F in Chapter insurance? 3, which are relevant to the area of operation of the craft.
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9 Charter Boats/Bare Boat Hire
Recreational Craft are classed Hire craft in Irish waters are into 6 categories: generally confined to Categories C, D, E and F. Category A – Ocean Category B – Offshore Category C – Coastal Category D – Inshore/Estuary Category E – Inland waterways including large open lakes Category F – Inland Waterways – open boats less than 7 m in length operating in rivers and sheltered areas on lakes in moderate weather conditions.
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Chapter 10 Safety Operations
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10 Chapter 10 provides basic guidance ensure that the launch point is a on safety on marinas and safe departure point, can be maintenance of equipment. safely accessed and is not subject to excessive surf. 10.1 Tendering operations ■ Tenders other than inflatable to moored craft types should have additional There are instances where boats buoyancy fitted. This may be in are moored offshore due to tidal or the form of dedicated buoyancy draft restrictions and access to tubes, polyethylene foam block or them is achieved by the use of a integral buoyancy chambers built
Safety Operations smaller tender launched from shore. into the boat. In such instances, where a tender ■ All tenders should, if utilising an is used to access and board a outboard engine, also carry a set moored vessel, the following of oars or paddles and be fitted precautions should be taken: with a suitable painter. ■ The tender should not be ■ Crew must wear a PFD/lifejacket overloaded by either personnel or at all times for the operation of equipment. Many tenders are boarding the tender, transit to and fitted with a manufacturer’s boarding of the moored craft. instruction plate on the transom ■ It is recommended that operators identifying the maximum number carry a waterproof handheld VHF of persons or equipment, or radio. combinations of each, a tender ■ Persons under the influence of may safely carry and the alcohol or drugs should not maximum power of any outboard participate in tendering engine that may be safely fitted to operations. the boat – do not exceed these ■ Ensure the tender is in good figures. condition and suitably equipped. ■ Suitable means of boarding the If using an inflatable dinghy type, moored vessel should be check the tubes are correctly provided, e.g. boarding ladder, inflated and the dinghy is a multi- access gates on railings, etc. tube type capable of remaining afloat in the event of failure of 10.2 Marina Safety any single tube. While the use of a marina facility ■ Be aware of tidal and wind offers benefits of increased conditions prior to commencing convenience and comfort to boat any tendering operation. operators, it should be noted that a ■ If launching directly from shore, marina is a potentially dangerous
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10 Safety Operations
location. Many marinas are located involve coming alongside and in deep water that is subject to departing marina berths are strong tidal streams, are exposed to controlled, and do not jeopardise strong winds and are fitted with a crew members in the process of minimum of protective barriers. berthing the boat. A short step Strong tidal streams can present a and not a long jump is the danger in the event of an accident. required transit from boat to berth. Take note of speed limits and "no ■ Instruct all crew on deck to wear wake areas" in harbours, a PFD/lifejacket when bringing a approaching marinas or near boat on/off a marina berth. swimming areas. ■ Do not leave children unattended on a marina facility. Users are encouraged to observe ■ Ensure children are wearing a the following precautions when suitable PFD/lifejacket at all times using and moving about on when they are on a marina. marina installations: ■ Avoid wearing a knapsack, ■ Wear suitable non-slip footwear. haversack, ruck sack or back ■ Be aware of the surface condition pack while on a marina as these of decks, particularly if wet. can prove dangerous in the event ■ Do not obstruct marina walkways that you fall into the water. or finger berths with gear/trolleys. ■ When using shore power ■ Ensure that boat operations that electricity supplies, always
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10 Safety Operations
ensure trailing leads are in good slipway surface to ensure it is condition, fitted with suitable free of material (e.g. reeds, plugs/sockets, are correctly seaweed/substances such as oil supported and do not present a or grease) that may cause loss of trip hazard. traction for a towing vehicle or a ■ Only connect to power pedestals slip hazard for personnel. in accordance with the provider’s ■ Make sure there is sufficient instructions. water depth to float off the craft ■ Report any noted defects to the before the trailer reaches the end marina management. of the slipway. ■ Observe all management safety ■ Be sure the vehicle in use has instructions. the traction and power to cope ■ Be aware of the dangers of with launching from a slipway moving about on a marina whilst with a steep gradient. If in doubt, under the influence of alcohol. go elsewhere. ■ Take note of lifebuoy locations ■ The use of a four wheel drive and pontoon boarding ladders vehicle is recommended if when entering or departing a launching a boat trailer. marina. ■ Know where the life-saving appliances are located. 10.3 Slipways ■ Where possible, do not conduct a ■ Make visual inspection of the launching alone.
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10 ■ Have a plan should the trailer and ■ Always wear a suitable Safety Operations vehicle slip into the water PFD/lifejacket and ensure all adjacent to the slipway, i.e. loose gear is correctly secured. windows open, buoyancy aid ■ Ensure sufficient experienced available but not worn. crew are available. Do not ■ Do not allow any passengers to attempt to launch short-handed. remain in the vehicle while ■ Advise a responsible person launching or recovering a boat. ashore of your plans, including ■ Note and follow any warnings or departure and return times, safety instructions posted by the launch locations and intended owner of the slipway. destinations. Always inform them ■ Report any safety concerns of your safe return. regarding the condition of the ■ Check with the relevant local slipway to the owners. authority/local Beach Bye-Laws that there is no prohibition on 10.4 Beach launching beach launching. Launching/recovering craft from any beach, particularly one subject to 10.5 Maintenance surf, can be a dangerous exercise 10.5.1 Rigging and should always be approached Rigging components on a sailing with caution. craft are subject to extreme ■ Seek local advice on suitable and loadings. If these are set up safe launching sites. incorrectly in the beginning and ■ Be aware that conditions may adjusted subsequently, the deteriorate dramatically between fluctuations in load can result in departure and return, dependent fatigue failure of stays, spreaders or on tidal and weather conditions. masts, despite the use of modern ■ Always be aware of the effects of materials. wind versus tide in the area. ■ Study the local weather forecast Rigging demands constant attention prior to any attempted departure. and inspection on an ongoing basis. ■ Be aware of the force of breaking While a boat is in service, it must be waves on a boat and the potential recognised that despite the use of damage by slamming into the materials such as stainless steel, surf. components such as shrouds and ■ Do not launch if the surf height terminals will not last indefinitely exceeds 0.5 m, unless using and must be replaced. On many specialist craft and with suitable boats greater than 6 metres in training. length, current practice is not to
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remove the mast at the end of the swaged ends are prone to season. Consequently, rigs remain splitting. Norseman or Staylock in place for many years without terminals can be opened and proper inspection. inspected internally if required. Ensure turnbuckles are not The following maintenance of a distorted or damaged. vessel’s rigging should be ■ Be aware of the age of your undertaken: vessel’s shrouds. A regularly ■ A competent person should used craft should consider stay inspect all elements of the rigging renewal every 7-10 years visually. This should be done depending on usage. Keep a annually. As this may involve record of renewal dates. It is undertaking a masthead advisable to renew stays on a inspection working at height, only rolling basis, changing a section individuals experienced in every year. working aloft and using a suitable ■ Always renew with suitable Bosun’s Chair or equivalent material, size and terminals. It is should undertake this work. recommended to have this work ■ Shrouds should be examined for done professionally. signs of damaged, distorted or ■ Be aware of the correct kinked wire strands. procedure to tune rigging. ■ Stay wire end terminals should be visually inspected – rolled or 102 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 103
10 10.5.2 Inboard engine condition of the propeller/shear Safety Operations operation and maintenance pin assembly if fitted. On craft fitted with inboard engines, ■ Be aware of the correct starting prior to proceeding to sea the procedures before departing, in following procedures should be particular how to avoid flooding undertaken: the engine. ■ Check oil and coolant levels. ■ If using a two-stroke engine, ■ Inspect all bilges for leaks. always ensure the correct oil/fuel ■ Ensure all sea valves are open. mixture is used. ■ Ensure adequate fuel is carried ■ Engines should be correctly on board. mounted onto the boat’s transom; ■ While the engine is running, in addition a safety lanyard should inspect for any fuel leaks. always be attached. ■ Prior to leaving the dock, ensure ■ The use of a “kill cord” with the an adequate cooling overboard unit is recommended at all times. discharge is present. ■ Check that the engine operates ahead and astern prior to departure from the berth or mooring. ■ Battery electrolyte levels should be checked on a regular basis throughout the season. ■ Propeller shaft systems, including regular greasing of bearings and inspection of leakage rate at glands, should also be included in an owner’s maintenance routine.
10.5.3 Outboard engines 10.5.4 Annual engine On craft fitted with outboard maintenance engines, the following procedures Prior to the start of each season, should be followed: owners should undertake the ■ The Engine Unit should be following annual maintenance serviced at the start of each procedures: season by a qualified technician. ■ Oil and filter change. ■ Ensure the unit cooling system is ■ Fuel tanks drained of water flushed with fresh water prior to (ensure they are filled with fuel lay up at the end of the season. prior to lay up) and fuel filters ■ Prior to departure, check the renewed. 103 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 104
10 ■ Inspect all cooling pipes, and ■ Spare Shear Pin (if relevant). check levels of anti-freeze fitted in cooling systems. Examine all 10.5.6 Tool Kit exhaust lines for wastage or Craft should carry a suitable and leaks. relevant tool kit comprising of the ■ Inspect impellers on Sea Water following suggested items: Cooling systems (Jabsco pumps). ■ Screwdriver set. ■ Check condition of any starting ■ Spanner set applicable to each battery systems. craft. ■ Examine condition of underwater ■ Adjustable spanner. ■ Safety Operations anodes. Torch. ■ Inspect condition of propeller ■ Spark plug spanner (in the case shaft cutlass bearings. of petrol engines). ■ Check operation of all sea water ■ Junior hacksaw and spare blades. hull shut-off valves. ■ Pliers and vise grips. ■ Can of WD40 release oil, if relevant.
10.5.5 Minimum spare parts 10.6 Liquefied/Liquid For Inboard Engine Petroleum Gas (LPG) ■ Fan belt set. Many recreational craft are fitted ■ Oil/fuel filter set. with Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) ■ Spare Jabsco sea water pump installations and appliances, impeller and gaskets. primarily in the form of cookers. ■ Spare change of engine oil. LPG is supplied in pressurised ■ Spare jubilee clips to suit hoses cylinders and is usually propane, on board. butane or a mixture of the two gases. For Outboard Engine ■ Spark plugs (in case of petrol When handled incorrectly, the engines). dangers associated with LPG
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10 systems include fire, explosion, to the consuming device; Safety Operations burns and asphyxiation, due to gas ■ A pressure relief device located leakage from the system or on or adjacent to the cylinder; accumulation of gas following flame ■ An automatic safety gas cut out failure in an appliance. Such device located on the cylinder or incidents have caused loss of life adjacent to it, to cut off the gas and material damage on supply in the event of a loss of recreational craft. pressure due to a gas leak; ■ A manual shut-off valve located It is essential that all installation and adjacent to the appliance, but any planned maintenance or repair easily accessed for the purpose work is undertaken by a qualified of operation; technician to an approved ■ Gas detectors, located in the standard – (ISO 10239:2014 Small space appliances are situated. Craft – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Detectors should be located in (LPG) Systems), and in accordance bilge areas or at floor level to with the manufacturer’s instructions. detect accumulating gas leakage. Alarms should be audible and Gas Cylinders should always: arranged to automatically cut off ■ Be handled with care. Never lift a the gas supply from the bottle; gas cylinder by the cylinder valve; ■ Carbon Monoxide alarms and ■ Be stowed outside in order that local fire alarms should also be any leakage may disperse quickly fitted in spaces containing to the open atmosphere; cookers; ■ Be stored upright and secured ■ All gas safety isolation and safety against movement; devices should be clearly marked ■ Where stowed in lockers on deck, to indicate their function and the have adequate drainage ports open and closed positions. provided to allow the gas (which is heavier than air) dissipate Only appliances designed for use in safely. a marine environment should be installed on a vessel. The cooker The following safety devices should be fitted with a gas shut-off. should be fitted to any LPG Systems should be subject to system: annual maintenance by a qualified ■ Manual isolation valve on the technician and all onboard alarms cylinder; and shut-offs should be checked at ■ Fixed pressure regulator located least monthly when the vessel is in within the storage locker to use. provide a fixed working pressure
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10 Appliances should be securely fixed 10.7 Commissioners of Irish to the craft. Where a cooker is Lights mounted on a gimball arrangement, The Commissioners of Irish Lights its freedom to move should not be (CIL) perform an important role in restricted. safety at sea through their Aids to Navigation (AtoN) which include A means of exhaust ventilation radio aids such as Differential GPS should be fitted to the space where (DGPS), Radar Beacons (Racon) a LPG appliance is fitted, with and Automatic Identification suction ducting located at floor level Systems (AIS), as well as more
Safety Operations or in bilge areas. Extraction fans traditional visual aids such as should be located external to the lighthouses, buoys and beacons. space. Further information can be found at www.irishlights.ie. Emergency Action In the event of a gas leak being 10.7.1 Smart Weather Buoys detected, the following actions Smart Buoys currently provide the should be taken: mariner with traditional visual ■ Isolate the gas supply at the navigational information as well as bottle; internet-accessible environmental ■ Extinguish all flames and information from around the coast cigarettes. Do not operate any of Ireland, including: electrical equipment or switches; ■ Sea state (Wave Height, Wave ■ Ventilate the space, being aware Period) that as the gas is heavier than air, ■ Weather conditions (Wind Speed, it will sink into bilges; Wind Direction, Gust Speed, ■ Be aware of the location of all fire Gust Direction) extinguishing equipment; ■ Water Temperature. ■ Do not operate the system until the fault has been corrected by a Information and data feedback from qualified technician. the smart weather buoys around the coast are available at Further information and advice is http://www.irishlights.ie/environment contained in Marine Notice No. 37 /smart-buoy-sensors.aspx. of 2017 (Use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations and systems on merchant vessels, fishing vessels, pleasure craft and other marine craft).
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Chapter 11 Emergency Procedures
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11 The procedures described in this Chapter do not prevent the use, by any vessel, survival craft or person in distress of any means at their disposal to attract attention, make known their position and obtain help.
11.1 Procedure for making e.g. “Position one mile South of distress or urgency calls Fastnet Lighthouse”) using VHF voice STATE THE NATURE OF 11.1.1 Making a distress DISTRESS. Emergency Procedures transmission using VHF voice (e.g. sinking, man overboard, fire on broadcasting – MAYDAY board, …) In cases where there is grave or imminent danger to either the vessel STATE THE NUMBER OF or persons on board, then a PERSONS ABOARD. MAYDAY should be broadcast on Channel 16 with the VHF unit set to STATE ANY OTHER USEFUL high power in the following format: INFORMATION.
“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, OVER”.
This is ‘NAME OF VESSEL’, 11.1.2 Making an urgency ‘NAME OF VESSEL’, ‘NAME OF broadcast using VHF – VESSEL’ PAN-PAN (State the name of the vessel three In circumstances that are times) considered to be grave but do not require immediate assistance and MAYDAY, where there is no imminent danger to the vessel or persons on board, ‘NAME OF VESSEL’, e.g. mechanical failure, loss of propulsion, a “PAN-PAN” Urgency STATE THE POSITION OF THE Broadcast should be made on VHF VESSEL Channel 16 with the unit set to high (If possible give the position from a power in the following format: GPS receiver or bearings from and distance to any known fixed points
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11 “PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, Modern VHF radios are fitted with a Emergency Procedures Digital Selective Calling (DSC) ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, facility whereby a distress call is ALL STATIONS, activated by pressing a dedicated switch on the radio. This system THIS IS ‘NAME OF VESSEL’, transmits an all station call on ‘NAME OF VESSEL’, ‘NAME OF Channel 70. VESSEL’ (State the vessel’s name three For non-DSC radios, Channel 16 times) remains the listening channel for distress calls. STATE THE POSITION OF THE VESSEL Therefore there are two possible (If possible give the position from a scenarios: GPS receiver or bearings from and distance to any known fixed points 11.2.1 Automated Calling e.g. “Position one mile South of This only works on DSC radio sets. Fastnet Lighthouse”) The operator initiates an all station call by simply uncovering and STATE THE NATURE OF THE pushing the red SOS switch on the URGENCY. radio’s panel. This will transmit the (e.g. Vessel adrift, mechanical Maritime Mobile Service Identity failure, …) (MMSI) code – a series of 9 digits without any further action required STATE THE NUMBER OF by the crew. PERSONS ABOARD. In addition to the MMSI code, if ASSISTANCE REQUIRED AND interfaced with a GPS, it can also ANY FURTHER RELEVANT give a boat’s position and possibly INFORMATION. the type of emergency (depending on settings). OVER”. All information will be displayed on 11.2 Types of radio distress any receiving sets’ display panel. calls Transmitting and receiving sets will The advent of the Global Maritime switch to Channel 16 to allow further Distress and Safety System information to be transmitted, e.g. (GMDSS) has brought about a spoken MAYDAY message, nature number of changes in the manner of emergency, etc. and procedure in which distress calls from craft are initiated. 109 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 110
11 11.2.2 Non-Automated Calling the beacon. This includes the VHF sets without DSC must rely on owner’s emergency contact and the the traditional format of broadcast country of registration. The 406 on Channel 16 for making a signal may be received within MAYDAY call. Ensure the set is seconds by geostationary satellites. selected to Channel 16 and that it is transmitting at its full power. False alarms from digital 406 MHz beacons can be resolved with a The MAYDAY broadcast format as phone call as these devices transmit described above should be used. an identity code that can be cross- referenced with an ownership 11.2.3 Use of Handheld VHF database. Radios
Emergency Procedures Portable VHF radio equipment can be used on small boats particularly where it is impracticable to install a fixed VHF radio. This equipment should be licensed and issued with a radio call sign.
The portable VHF will only be licensed for use on a boat for communications with coast stations, harbour authorities, marinas and other boats – It should not be used on land.
11.3 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) There is one model of Distress Beacon - the ‘406 MHz’.
406 beacon This is a digital signal and covers the entire globe. 406 beacons have a unique identification code which is part of its signal. When properly registered, the unique code provides information about the boat carrying 110 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 111
11 11.4 Marine VHF Communications Network Emergency Procedures
Irish Coast Guard Marine VHF Communications Network
Malin Head Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 23, 85, DSC 70
Malin Head MRSC
Glen Head Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 24, DSC 70
Donegal Bay Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 02, DSC 70
Belmullet Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 83, DSC 70 Carlingford Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 04, DSC 70 Clifden Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 26, DSC 70 L. Ree CG Radio Dublin Coast Guard Radio VHF Ch 16, 62 VHF Channels 16, 67, 83, DSC 70
Galway Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 04, DSC 70 DUBLIN MRCC L. Derg CG Radio Shannon Coast Guard Radio VHF Ch 16, 61 Wicklow Head Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 28, DSC 70 VHF Channels 16, 67, 02, DSC 70
Rosslare Coast Guard Radio Valentia MRSC VHF Channels 16, 67, 23, DSC 70
Valentia Coast Guard Radio Mine Head Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 24, DSC 70 VHF Channels 16, 67, 83, DSC 70
Bantry Coast Guard Radio Cork Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 23, DSC 70 VHF Channels 16, 67, 26, DSC 70
Mizen Head Coast Guard Radio VHF Channels 16, 67, 04, DSC 70
Weather Forecasts at 01:03, 04:03, 07:03, 10:03, 13:03, 16:03, 19:03 and 22:03 on working channels
Malin Head Valentia Dublin Controlled Radio Stations Controlled Radio Stations Controlled Radio Stations
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11 Irish Search and Rescue Region Emergency Procedures
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11 11.5 Automatic Emergency Procedures Identification System (AIS) The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data. AIS has been widely adopted and can be a useful tool on board sea temperature can cause people recreational vessels. It can assist in to very quickly become cold and identifying larger vessels as all affect their ability to help passenger ships must have AIS. All themselves once in the water. ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international After boarding a liferaft it is still voyages, as well as cargo ships of possible to succumb to 500 gross tonnage and upwards on hypothermia. Individuals should domestic voyages, must also carry take the necessary survival AIS. It is important to note that precautions. there may still be a large number of vessels not fitted with AIS. It is a Survival at sea, even for relatively useful identification tool but should short periods of time, is dependent not be used as a means of collision on suitable equipment, adequate avoidance as not all vessels are preparation and knowledge of required to carry AIS. Another survival techniques. useful AIS feature is that navigation aids such as buoys and lighthouses A number of recognised course are increasingly being fitted with providers offer a one day Basic AIS transponders to assist with Sea Survival Course (see identification. AIS Search And Appendix 9 for details of course Rescue Transponders (SART) are providers) covering both the also available that can assist in theoretical and practical aspects of locating a casualty in a Search and sea survival techniques. Rescue situation. 11.6.1 Choosing a Liferaft 11.6 Survival at sea When choosing a liferaft, examine Death by hypothermia or drowning what survival equipment is presents the greatest risk to included. individuals who are forced to abandon their craft. The ambient 113 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 114
11 ORC Pack ■ Whistle ■ Bailer ■ Safety knife ■ Red Handheld Flares (3) ■ Sea anchor ■ Sponges (2) ■ ‘Wet’ notebook and pencil ■ Torch (with spare batteries and ■ Rescue quoit and line (30 m bulb) floating) ■ Leak stoppers (set) ■ Pump SOLAS B Pack ■ Repair kit ■ Bailer ■ Paddles (2) ■ Sponges (2) ■ Safety knife ■ Leak stoppers (set) ■ Instruction leaflet ■ Pump ■ Sea anchor ■ Repair kit ■ Rescue quoit and line (30 m ■ Buoyant paddles (2) Emergency Procedures floating) ■ Signal card ■ Instruction leaflets It is recommended that additional ■ Torch (with spare batteries and equipment is carried in a suitable bulb) grab bag. ■ Seasickness tablets (6 per person) World Sailing Pack ■ Rescue line and quoit ■ Bailer ■ Safety knife ■ Thermal protective aids (survival ■ Sea anchor (2) bags) (2) ■ First Aid kit ■ Seasickness pills (min of 6 per ■ Sick bag (1 per person) person) ■ Whistle ■ Seasickness bags (min of 1 per ■ Red parachute flares (2) person) ■ Red handheld flares (3) ■ Sea survival instructions ■ Buoyant orange smoke ■ Red Handheld Flares (3) ■ Heliograph ■ First Aid kit (including water to ■ Radar reflector help take pills) ■ Thermal Protective Aids (survival ■ Sponges (1 per person) bags) (2) ■ Torches (2 sealed for life) ■ Leak stoppers (set) SOLAS A Pack ■ Signal mirror As SOLAS B Pack plus: ■ Pump ■ Fishing kit ■ Repair kit ■ Additional red parachute flares ■ Buoyant paddles (2) (2) ■ Signal card ■ Additional red handheld flares (3)
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11 ■ Additional buoyant orange Emergency Procedures smoke ■ Water (0.5 litre per person) ■ Graduated drinking vessel ■ Rations (10,000 kilojoules per person; non thirst provoking) ■ Tin-opener
There are a number of essential points to consider when selecting a liferaft:
■ Two Compartment Buoyancy in a location where they can be Chambers – allows one rapidly deployed. They can be chamber to be damaged without stowed either on deck or in a locker compromising the buoyancy of opening directly onto the deck. If the raft. stowed on deck, the storage should ■ Canopy – protects the crew from be able to withstand heavy the elements, reduces risk of weather. All liferafts rely on the exposure and improves the attachment of their painter to a chances of the raft avoiding total suitable strong point on board in inversion if capsized by a wave order to initiate the inflation or inflating upside down. procedure. ■ Inflatable Floor – offers improved insulation against the 11.6.2 Abandoning Ship cold. The decision to abandon a ship ■ Sea Anchor – offers relative should only be taken if absolutely stability to the raft in the sea. necessary. Often a damaged or ■ Boarding Aid – offers essential incapacitated boat will, even in assistance to a fully clothed adverse weather conditions, offer person attempting to enter a greater protection to a crew than liferaft from the water. entering the water or deploying a liferaft. Liferafts require regular servicing by trained personnel and at The decision to abandon a ship intervals laid down by their must be made taking into manufacturer, which should always consideration a number of factors: be adhered to. ■ Condition of the boat, propulsion and power capabilities. Liferafts should be stowed on board ■ Internal flooding.
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11 ■ Bilge Pumping capacities and drift much faster than most capabilities. people can swim. ■ Weather conditions. ■ Wear additional layers of ■ Communications with rescue clothing, including head gear, as facilities. this prevents heat loss from the ■ Physical condition of crew. body. A suitable PFD/lifejacket should be worn at all times. If abandoning a craft to a liferaft, ■ Do not remain in the water longer the following points should be than is necessary. adhered to: ■ Be familiar with the correct Once all crew are in the liferaft: method of launching. Read the ■ The craft should be cut free. instructions before departure and ■ Manoeuvre clear of the craft or ensure other crew are familiar any obstructions. Emergency Procedures with the location of the liferaft ■ Deploy the sea anchor. and the means of deployment. ■ Close all entrances to conserve ■ For offshore cruising: Category A heat. and B should have a suitably ■ Issue sea sickness tablets. equipped grab bag which can be ■ Post a lookout. transferred to the liferaft. ■ Maintain the liferaft – inflate the ■ Before launching the liferaft, floor, bale out any water, check check the water in the launching for leaks, ventilate by maintaining area is clear of people and a small opening. obstructions. ■ Remain in the vicinity of the last ■ Wait until the liferaft is fully position given prior to inflated before attempting to abandoning ship. board. Do not jump onto the canopy. Avoid the raft chafing 11.6.3 Survival in the water against the craft that is being In the event of a liferaft not being abandoned. available, the following applies: ■ If at all possible, board the raft ■ Ensure additional layers of without entering the water in clothing are worn prior to order to reduce the effects of the entering the water. cold. ■ Wear a hat and if possible cover ■ If it is not possible to board the the extremities of the body, e.g. liferaft without entering the water, fingers, toes and face. choose a suitable place to leave ■ Do not jump into the sea. Use an the boat while taking account of overside ladder if available. the sea state and drift of the Avoid obstructions in the water boat. Remember, liferafts can adjacent to the hull. It may be
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preferable to abandon from an inexperienced crew are on either the bow or stern rather board. than amidships. ■ Avoid unnecessary swimming in On losing a crew member order to conserve energy and overboard, other crew should body heat. undertake the following actions: ■ If possible, form a group with other survivors to increase ■ Deploy a lifebuoy, throw bag, visibility for rescuers. rescue quoit, etc. ■ Activate the PFD/lifejacket light ■ Appoint a crewmember to and use the whistle attached to maintain visual contact with the attract attention. individual in the water at all times regardless of the boat’s 11.7 Man overboard and manoeuvres. recovery procedures ■ Depending on the type of craft, 11.7.1 Recovery of man exercise the required manoeuvre overboard as described in the following section. The loss of a person overboard ■ Issue MAYDAY. presents a serious challenge to those remaining on board who Position the person adjacent to the have to safely position the vessel boat and, if the person is physically adjacent to the individual in the capable, re-board by means of a water and recover the person back suitable boarding ladder or on board. swimming platform. The situation can be even more traumatic if the skipper is lost and 117 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 118
11 On boats with outboard engines, the engine may be used as an impromptu ladder to re-board, provided the engine is shut down.
Falling into cold water will result in a gasp reflex causing uncontrolled breathing, panic and cardiac stress. A lifejacket will keep your head above water, ensuring you breathe in air.
For an exhausted or injured Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia affecting persons who
Emergency Procedures crewmember, external means of recovery will be required, such have been immersed in the sea for as: a period of time. Ensure the ■ Dedicated recovery sling under casualty is kept dry and warm. the arms of the individual, using Alcohol should not be given to the halyards/winches, boom, etc. to person. provide leverage. ■ Use of victim’s safety harness or Treatment for hypothermia consists PFD/lifejacket fitted with integral of drying, sheltering, and gradually harness. warming. Do not rub the patient’s ■ Use of a sail deployed over the body. Warm with blankets and if side as a scoop and recovered possible, your own body heat. using the boats running rigging. While blankets help a person retain ■ Use of an inflatable tender, body heat, they are not sufficient to partially deflated to recover the treat hypothermia. It is vital that you individual from the sea. warm the core of the body first or ■ Launch the liferaft and have the the cold blood will be forced victim recovered into it. towards the heart and may cause ■ On inflatables, one tube may be death. partially deflated to aid recovery of an injured or unconscious 11.7.2 Manoeuvring boat to person. aid recovery of man overboard Many boats are equipped with a bathing platform at the stern which 11.7.2.1 Craft without an engine facilitates recovery of persons from A simple way to recover is to: the water. 1. Put the craft into an “apparent” 118 11 Emergency Procedures 119 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 119 Page 17:04 1 17/10/2017 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 120
11 beam reach (burgee across the 11.7.2.2 Craft with an engine craft). Allow yourself some sea To stay as close to the person in room to manoeuvre and get the water as possible: yourself organised to recover 1. Come up to wind and tack, the person from the water. leaving headsail cleated so that 2. Tack and sail on the opposite boat stops hove to (yachts). beam reach (person in water 2. Throw a heaving line to the now on weather bow). person in the water if in range, 3. Approach on a close reach, and haul alongside. easing the sheets in the final 3. If not within heaving line range: stages. Leeway will increase as - start the engine you slow down – allow for this. - lower or furl the headsail 4. In a larger craft, it is easier to - sheet the main sail amidships. come alongside to windward of Ensure there are no lines or Emergency Procedures the person in the water and sheets lying loose on deck or make the recovery over the overside that could foul the leeward side. propeller. 5. In a dinghy, come alongside to 4. Motor to leeway of the person in the leeward of the person in the the water and approach the water and make the recovery by person head to wind. the weather shroud.
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Other turning manoeuvres 1. If you can see the person in the slowly with a good lookout as water clearly, a simple sight 180 the casualty will be directly degree turn is the quickest. ahead of you. 2. If you lose sight of the casualty, 3. In heavy weather, the reciprocal due to poor visibility or heavy course may bring the sea weather and sea state, the astern, in which case a short “Williamson Turn” is a good way approach head to sea may be to get to a reciprocal course more appropriate once the turn which will take you back down has been completed. your track. From the moment 4. Do not waste time while the craft the skipper is aware of a “man is turning to approach the overboard” situation, put the person in the water. Prepare for helm to starboard and adopt a the recovery as it is too late course of “original course + 60 when the person is alongside. degrees”. Then put the helm - Which side will you approach? immediately to port until the - Have a heaving line ready. vessel has completed a turn - Wear a PFD/lifejacket and which brings the compass lifeline; if you don’t, you may reading to “original course plus get pulled on top of the person or minus 180 degrees”. This will in the water. put you on a reciprocal course 5. The initial approach to the where you should proceed person in the water will vary 121 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 122
11 depending on weather/sea longest line available to you. Join conditions and the type of boat. several together using a bowline if Let the weather help rather than necessary. hinder. Stop upwind and drift ■ Use a light heaving line as the down. first line to be transferred between 6. If you are concerned about boats. The heavier towline can be drifting onto the person in the passed across using this line. water, bring your stern into the ■ The boat offering the tow must wind. If you are not confident with take care not to foul its own your boat handling skills or if it propeller when transferring a tow looks likely that the boat could line, or come in contact with the come down on top of the person disabled boat. ■ in the water, throw them the A towline can be floated heaving line and pull them downstream to a disabled craft Emergency Procedures alongside to a position that is a using a fender. ■ safe place for recovery. Both craft should use a towing 7. Ensure the propeller is not bridle to secure the towline. turning when you are Ensure the load is spread over alongside the person in the several cleats or strong points on water. deck such as winches to distribute the load and allow for 11.8 Emergency towing – efficient steering. Please note receiving or giving a tow that some cleats are not designed for towing and may present a Towing should be undertaken with projectile hazard when they come preparation and care by all parties under load, hence the use of involved in the operation. If several cleats is recommended as assistance is being offered by the shown in picture. RNLI lifeboat, always follow the ■ Ensure an agreed means of instructions of the coxswain as to communications is established, how to take the line and secure it on either by VHF or hand signals. board. ■ The towing boat should slowly commence to get underway. In all other circumstances, the Speed should be adjusted to suit following should be observed: the vessel being towed and local sea conditions. ■ All crew working on deck must ■ In open water, it is generally best wear a suitable PFD/lifejacket. to tow in line astern. However in ■ Consider the use of lifelines and sheltered waters and approaching safety harnesses if weather and channels and berths, it is possibly sea state require them. beneficial to change to an ■ Use the most substantial and 122 11 Emergency Procedures 123 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 123 Page 17:04 1 17/10/2017 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 124
11 alongside tow to allow ease of ■ Do not be distracted by the noise berthing etc. of the helicopter overhead. It may ■ The towed craft should be be necessary to have a positioned slightly forward of crewmember positioned inside amidships of the towing craft and the boat to maintain radio adjusted by means of springs and communications with the breast ropes. This allows the helicopter due to the excessive towing craft better positioning noise on the outside decks. through the paddlewheel effect of ■ The pilot will give specific its own propeller, and instructions regarding the course controllability through its rudder, and direction he/she may wish which is prevented if the towed you to steer. Generally boats will boat is positioned aft of the tugs maintain a course to give the wind rudder position. If the towed boat at 30 degree to the Port Bow. The Emergency Procedures is too far aft, the combination of preferred area to conduct tug and tow can become quite un- winching operations is normally manoeuvrable with the two only the port quarter. This affords the wishing to alter course in the pilot visual contact with both the direction upon which the towed boat and the winchman. vessel is made fast. ■ Due to the risk of static build-up from a hovering helicopter, follow 11.9 Helicopter rescue the pilot’s instructions exactly with procedures regard to the earthing of a static discharge wire prior to placing the In the event of a helicopter rescue winchman on board. The wire is situation, the following points should usually dropped into the sea to be noted and followed: discharge static prior to commencing the operation. ■ Prepare well in advance of the ■ Under no circumstances should arrival of the helicopter; ensure the winch line be made fast at any crew are well briefed on correct time to the boat. procedures. ■ On arrival of the winchman on ■ Clear all obstructions on deck board, that person will assume prior to the arrival of the command of all subsequent helicopter. Ensure there are no operations. Follow the instruction items of loose or moveable gear given at all times. on deck. ■ Do not fire parachute flares ■ All operations will be directed by when a helicopter is operating the crew of the helicopter – follow in the vicinity. all instructions.
124 11 Emergency Procedures 125 Rocket parachute flares can Rocket parachute metres and reach a height of 300 range are used for longer attention seeking. White flares are available for the purpose of attracting attention or marking a position by a boat. Flares are explosives and should be treated with care. Store in a They should waterproof container. always be within their expiry date. Flares will burn for about one Flares will burn for minute, so only use when other boats and planes are in the area. ■ Orange smoke flares are for day use only and can be seen up to 4 They km away on a clear day. can be either handheld or buoyant cartridge type. Red handheld flares are for night-time use and can be seen up to 10 km away. ■ ■ Flares are an effective way to way effective are an Flares nearby aircraft and signal passing and a vessel is in trouble boats that assistance. requires used three types of flares There are as distress signals: 11.10 Flares 11.10 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 125 Page 17:04 1 17/10/2017 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 126
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1 2
3 4 Emergency Procedures
Everyone on board should know instructions for use and expiry where the flares are stored and dates printed on the packaging. how to use them. The expiry dates printed on pyrotechnics (flares) are Operating Instructions are determined by the required printed on all flares – always performance of the distress signals read them prior to firing! as set by marine approval bodies.
Do not operate flares when a SOLAS standards are used to Rescue Helicopter is in the regulate the quality and immediate vicinity – always performance of distress signals for follow the pilot’s instructions. use on commercial vessels. Recreational craft are not required 11.10.1 Disposal of expired by law to carry SOLAS approved pyrotechnics flares. However, most products supplied for the leisure market in Pyrotechnic expiry dates this country are of SOLAS Flares have clearly marked standard.
126 11 Emergency Procedures 127 be should not Having said that, it is Having said that, it relied on as the primary method relied on as the primary emergency of contacting the services. all vessels recommended that lakes and operating on inland as in coastal waterways as well charged mobile waters carry a fully phone contained in a watertight The mobile storage bag or casing. phone should at all times be fully charged and the signal strength and the charge indicator of the mobile phone should be regularly checked while the vessel is under way. Out of date flares must be disposed must date flares Out of Notices are Marine of carefully. relation time to time in issued from expired disposal of time to the safe pyrotechnics. 11.11 Mobile Devices 11.11 mobile phone A red flares can fade and therefore may not be recognised as a distress signal. they can burn at a lower they can burn at a brightness (candela), can fade, the colour of the flare lengthen which the burn time can could be a fire hazard, for rockets, the ejection height and flight stability may be affected, Expiry dates are set to ensure that pyrotechnics will still perform to the stringent specified quality standards at the end of their official of the product The life lifetime. allows for a performance safety margin so that even if storage conditions are not optimum, the distress signals will still meet the performance approval bodies’ specifications. In date flares should be stored on board in a waterproof, buoyant container. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Expiry dates are generally 3 years generally dates are Expiry date of manufacture. from the prior to be replaced Flares should date as the chemical the expiry degrade used in flares components and variations in over time can temperature and humidity accelerate this process. may look Out of date flares naked eye. acceptable to the However: Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 127 Page 17:04 1 17/10/2017 Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout Recreational_partB_ch6_11_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:04 Page 128
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Appendices
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1 Appendix 1
The International While the complete rulebook forms a Regulations for Preventing large and detailed publication, there Collisions at Sea are a number of condensed versions (COLREGs) available specifically tailored for the Appendices recreational boat user. Recreational ■ Collision avoidance rules craft operators should familiarise ■ Navigation lights themselves with some of the rules ■ Sound signals and regulations so there will be no ■ Distress signals hesitation on their part, when a ■ Life Saving signals possible risk of collision arises.
■ As a general rule, power gives The International Regulations for way to sail. But sailors must be Preventing Collisions at Sea, reasonable – don’t expect large, COLREGs, govern the interaction of less manoeuvrable vessels under vessels on the water, and apply to power to give way. all recreational craft at sea and on ■ All small craft should give large waters navigable by sea-going vessels a wide berth. vessels. The Regulations also apply ■ In narrow channels, keep to the to sections of our inland waterways. right (starboard). If plenty of distance separates two passing The Regulations govern the boats, there is no need to following: deliberately alter course to pass to ■ Response of vessel in any the right of the other boat. condition of visibility. ■ In a head-on approach to another ■ Response of vessels in sight of boat, always alter course to the one another. right (starboard) and never to the ■ Conduct of vessels in restricted left (port). visibility. ■ When two boats are crossing, the ■ Light and shapes to be carried by boat on your right (starboard) has various craft. the right of way – you should keep ■ Sound and light signals between clear, by either altering course or craft. slowing down, to pass astern of ■ Positioning of lights and shapes the other vessel. on board. ■ If you have the right of way, be ■ Frequencies of sound signals. predictable – keep your course ■ Distress signals. and speed consistent. 130 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 131
1 ■ Don’t push your luck by forcing fairway shall keep as near to the Appendices your ‘right of way’. You should do outer limit of the channel or whatever is necessary to avoid a fairway which lies on her collision. starboard side as is safe and ■ In crowded areas such as practicable; approaches to jetties, marinas ■ a vessel of less than 20 metres and moorings, be aware of other in length or a sailing vessel shall vessels manoeuvring as very not impede the passage of a often their movements can be vessel which can safely navigate unpredictable. only within a narrow channel or ■ Maintain a proper lookout at all fairway; times and in all directions. Craft ■ a vessel engaged in fishing shall under sail should regularly check not impede the passage of any the area “below” or to lee of them other vessel navigating within a where visibility is obstructed by narrow channel or fairway; the vessels sails. ■ a vessel shall not cross a narrow ■ Craft should at all times proceed channel or fairway if such at a safe speed, considering crossing impedes the passage of weather conditions, traffic a vessel that can safely navigate density, visibility, depth of only within such channel or available water and the craft’s fairway; manoeuvring qualities. ■ in a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place Collision Prevention only if the vessel to be overtaken A number of the collision has to take action to permit safe prevention rules are included passing, the vessel intending to below. overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the Narrow channels – Rule 9 appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 9 sets out requirements in the Rules; relation to the navigation of narrow ■ a vessel nearing a bend or an channels. This is particularly area of a narrow channel or important in river estuaries and fairway where other vessels may narrow buoyed channels that are be obscured by an intervening frequented by both large obstruction shall navigate with commercial vessels and particular alertness and caution recreational craft. Among the and shall sound the appropriate requirements are the following: prescribed signal; ■ a vessel proceeding along the ■ a vessel shall avoid anchoring in course of a narrow channel or a narrow channel. 131 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 132
1 Sailing Vessels – Rule 12 When two sailing vessels are approaching one another, and at risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:
Appendices i. When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel that has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. This is commonly known as the starboard rule.
ii. When both vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel that is to leeward. That is the boat closest to the wind keeps out of the way of the other.
iii. If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or the starboard side, it shall keep out of the way of the other.
For the purpose of this Rule, the windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried.
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1 Head-on Situations – Rule 14 Rules 16 and 17 concern actions Appendices (a) When two power-driven by give-way and stand-on vessels are meeting on vessels respectively. In summary, reciprocal or nearly reciprocal the give-way vessel shall take early courses and at risk of collision, and substantial action to keep well each shall alter its course to clear; the stand-on vessel shall starboard and pass on the port keep its course and speed but may side of the other. take action to avoid collision if the (b) Such a situation shall be give way vessel is not acting deemed to exist when a vessel correctly. sees the other ahead or nearly ahead, and by night can see the masthead lights of the other in line or nearly in line and/or both sidelights, and by day can observe the corresponding aspect of the other vessel. (c) When a vessel is in any doubt as to whether such a situation exists, it shall assume that it Navigation Lights does exist and act accordingly. Navigation lights must be displayed on boats operating between sunset Note: For sailing vessels, see Rule and sunrise and must also be used 12. in daylight hours during periods of restricted visibility. The types of light required are determined by the boat type and their activity. They indicate the length of boat, the direction of travel or if they are anchored.
Rule 20 of the Collision Crossing Situations – Rule 15 Regulations requires that lights When two power-driven vessels are prescribed shall, if carried, be crossing and at risk of collision, the exhibited from sunset to sunrise vessel that has the other on its and from sunrise to sunset in starboard side shall keep out of the restricted visibility, and may be way and shall, if circumstances exhibited in all other circumstances permit, avoid crossing ahead of the when it is deemed necessary. other vessel.
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1 Rule 21 provides definitions of different lights.
Rule 22 provides for lights to be visible at minimum ranges on a dark night with a clear atmosphere. These are summarised in the Appendices following Table.
Table – Visibility of Vessel Lights Minimum light visibility (nm) for vessel length (m) (White, red, yellow, green).
50 m and Between 12 m Less than 12 m greater and 50 m
Masthead 6 nm 5 nm* 2 nm
Sidelight 3 nm 2 nm 1 nm
Stern light 3 nm 2 nm 2 nm
Towing light 3 nm 2 nm 2 nm
All round light 3 nm 2 nm 2 nm
*Where the length of the ship is 12 m or greater, but less than 20 m, the masthead light visibility is 3 nm.
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1 Light Combinations Appendices The term “under way” in relation to a vessel is used to describe a vessel that is not at anchor or made fast to the shore or aground. D. Power-driven vessels under way shall carry a masthead light forward and a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length may carry the second A. A sailing vessel under way shall light, but is not obliged to do so. exhibit sidelights and a stern Vessels underway shall carry light. sidelights and a stern light. (From a big ship mariner’s point of view on the high seas, the vertical configuration for smaller craft needs to be considered as it lessens the possibility of obstruction by sails or the sea when the vessel is heeled. In harbours or off the coast with B. Sailing vessels may, in addition, background lights, this carry an all-round red light configuration can sometimes above a green light. lead to confusion).
E. Power-driven vessels of less than 12 metres in length may, in C. A sailing vessel of less than 20 lieu of lights as in A above, carry metres in length may combine an all-round white light and sidelights and stern lights in a sidelights; the latter may be tricolour masthead light (but not combined in one lantern. with vertical lights as in B above). 135 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 136
1
F. A vessel at anchor shall carry H. A vessel not under command Appendices one all-round white light in the shall exhibit two all-round red fore part of the vessel and a lights and two balls or similar second light at or near the stern shapes in a vertical line and, if and at a lower level than the making way through the water, forward light, except that a sidelights and/or stern light. vessel of less than 50 metres in length is not required to carry the second light. A vessel of less than 7 metres in length is not required to show anchor lights unless in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage.
I. A vessel restricted in its ability to manoeuvre shall exhibit three all-round lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white. If making way through the water, sidelights, G. A vessel aground shall show masthead lights and a stern light two all-round red lights in a shall also be shown. vertical line and three balls in a vertical line in addition to anchor lights.
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1 Appendices
J. A vessel trawling for fish shall L. A vessel, when towing, shall exhibit two all-round lights in a exhibit two masthead lights in a vertical line, the upper being vertical line (three if the tow green, the lower white and in exceeds 200 m), sidelights, a addition, when making way stern light and a towing light in a through the water, side lights vertical line above the stern and a stern light. light.
Rule 28 A vessel constrained by draught may exhibit three vertical all-round red lights in a vertical line or a cylinder in addition to the navigation lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23. K. A vessel, when fishing other than trawling, shall exhibit two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red, the lower white and, when making way through the water, sidelights and a stern light.
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1 Sound Signals ‘I am altering my course to Sound signals may be used to starboard.’ indicate a vessel’s position or (Single short blast) movement at night or in restricted visibility by day. You may never need to use sound signals but you ‘I am altering my course to port.’ should be able to recognise their (Two short blasts) Appendices meanings. There are a number of definitions that operators should be familiar with as follows: ‘I am operating astern propulsion.’ (Three short blasts) Whistle – Any sound signalling appliance capable of making ‘short’ or ‘prolonged’ blasts. ‘Make your intentions clear.’ (Five short blasts)
Vessels in a narrow Channel should signal their intentions using the following:
‘I intend to overtake you on your starboard side.’
(Two prolonged and one short Short blast – a sound blast of blast). about 1 second duration. ‘I intend to overtake you on your Prolonged blast – a sound blast port side.’ of 4 to 6 seconds duration.
Manoeuvring and warning (Two prolonged and two short signals – Rule 34 blasts) Craft that are within sight of each other may signal their manoeuvring Response of vessel about to be intentions by the following sound overtaken indicating its agreement. signals (Whistle signals may also be supplemented by light signals using the same code): (One prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast).
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1 Table: Sound signals for vessels in restricted visibility, day and night – Appendices Rule 35
Category of vessel Interval Signal
Power-driven under way, Not more than making way 2 minutes Power-driven under way, Not more than stopped and making no way 2 minutes through water Not more than Not under command 2 minutes Restricted manoeuvring, Not more than constrained by draught 2 minutes Sailing vessel (not using Not more than power) 2 minutes Not more than Vessel engaged in fishing 2 minutes Vessel towing or pushing Not more than another vessel 2 minutes Not more than Vessel towing – if manned 2 minutes Pilot vessel on duty – gives appropriate signals as above and may sound an identity signal H, i.e. 4 short blasts 5 seconds at Vessel at anchor (under intervals of not 100 m length) bell more than one minute
Vessel at anchor (length of 100 m or more) bell, 5 secs/min followed by gong from aft, 5 secs/min
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1 Table: Sound signals for vessels in restricted visibility, day and night – Rule 35 – continued
Category of vessel Interval Signal
Vessel at anchor may give warning to approaching
Appendices vessel, if possibility of collision
Vessel aground: as at anchor preceded and followed by 3 distinct bell strokes
Vessel less than 12 metres in length may make the appropriate signals given above but, if it does not, must make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
When vessels are in sight of each Signals to Attract Attention – other and there is some doubt as to Rule 36 the intentions or actions of the If necessary to attract the attention other, or there is some doubt as to of another vessel, any vessel may whether sufficient action is being make light or sound signals that taken to avoid collision, the vessel cannot be mistaken for any signal in doubt should indicate by giving at authorised elsewhere in the least 5 short and rapid blasts on the Collision Regulations, or may direct whistle. This may be the beam of its searchlight in the supplemented by a light signal of at direction of the danger, in such a least five short and rapid flashes. way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for A vessel nearing a blind bend in a any aid to navigation. For the channel or fairway shall sound one purpose of this Rule, the use of prolonged blast. A vessel on the high intensity intermittent or other side of the bend answers with revolving lights, such as strobe a similar prolonged blast. lights, shall be avoided. Note: In the context of Rule 36, 140 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 141
1 acceptance of the use of a white ■ The International Code Signal of Appendices hand-held flare is implied. Distress indicated by N.C. (November, Charlie). Distress Signals – Rule 37 ■ Radiotelephone alarm signal. Rule 37 refers to distress signals. ■ Signalling by radio telegraphy or The following are internationally by any other method consisting recognised signals to indicate of the group SOS (●●● . . . ●●●) distress and the need for in the Morse Code. assistance: ■ A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ■ Red Rocket Parachute or hand- ball or anything resembling a held flare. ball. ■ Signals sent by radio telephony ■ A gun or other explosive signal consisting of the spoken word fired at intervals of about a MAYDAY said 3 times. minute. ■ The continuous sounding of any ■ Rockets or shells, throwing red fog signalling apparatus. stars fired one at a time at short ■ Signals transmitted by a distress intervals. beacon (an Emergency Position ■ Flames on a vessel – e.g. from a Indicating Radio Beacon – burning tar or oil barrel. EPIRB). ■ Approved signals transmitted by ■ Orange coloured smoke signal. radio communication systems, ■ Slowly and repeatedly raising including survival craft radar and lowering outstretched arms transponders. to each side. ■ A ship-to-shore distress alert Attention is drawn to the relevant transmitted by the ship’s sections of the International Code INMARSAT or other mobile of Signals, the International satellite service provider ship Aeronautical and Maritime Search earth station. and Rescue Manual, Volume III and ■ Signals transmitted by SART. the following signals: ■ A distress alert by means of selective calling (DSC) (a) a piece of orange-coloured transmitted on: canvas with either a black (i) VHF Channel 70, or square and circle or other (ii) MF/HF on the frequencies appropriate symbol (for 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, identification from the air); 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz. (b) a dye marker.
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1 Appendices
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2 Appendix 2 Appendices
Guidance notes on (i) a suitable charging facility Radiocommunications on board the vessel which is capable of maintaining Category A Craft – Ocean the battery fully charged at voyages all times or The following radiocommunications (ii) a spare fully charged equipment should be installed on battery, which can be easily Category A craft when it is affixed to the unit in the operating in GMDSS Sea Area A1 event of an emergency and (approx. 30 nm from a coast radio stored in the watertight station): container on board; (e) One type-approved Search and (a) A fixed type approved VHF Rescue Transponder (SART), installation capable of: which should be installed in a (i) Transmitting Digital readily accessible location; Selective Calling (DSC) on (f) A NAVTEX receiver; Channel 70 and, (g) In addition to the equipment (ii) Transmitting radiotelephony required for Sea Area A1 on at least Channels 16, 13 above, the following equipment and 6; should be fitted on the craft (b) A VHF Digital Selective Calling when it is operating in Sea Area (DSC) watch-keeping receiver A2 (approx. 150 nm from a on Channel 70 which may be coast radio station): integrated with the VHF DSC (i) A MF radiotelephone unit in (a) above; installation capable of (c) A type-approved transmitting DSC on 2187.5 Satellite EPIRB, which kHz, must be: (ii) A MF watchkeeping (i) readily accessible receiver capable of (ii) installed in a float- receiving DSC on 2187.5 free location, and kHz, which may be (iii) capable of manual integrated with the unit in (i) and automatic above operation; or (d) One hand-held type-approved (iii) An INMARSAT ship earth waterproof VHF unit should be station that is capable of carried with either: transmitting and receiving 143 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 144
2 telephony or telex, e.g. (i) readily accessible, Satcom C, Satcom M or (ii) installed in a float-free Mini-M (see specification location and/or below); (iii) capable of manual and (h) Craft operating in Sea Area A3 automatic operation; should install an INMARSAT (d) One hand-held type-approved ship earth station capable of waterproof VHF unit should be Appendices transmitting and receiving carried with either – telephony or telex, in addition (i) a suitable charging facility to the equipment specified for on board the vessel, which Sea Areas A1 and A2 above; is capable of maintaining (i) A position fixing system capable the battery fully charged at of providing continuously all times updated positional data to the or DSC and Satcom equipment, (ii) a spare fully charged e.g. GPS. battery, which can be easily affixed to the unit in the Category B Craft – Offshore event of an emergency and The following radiocommunications stored in the watertight equipment should be installed on container on board; Category B craft when it is (e) One type approved Search and operating in GMDSS Sea Area A1 Rescue Transponder (SART), (approx. 30 nm from a coast radio which should be installed in a station): readily accessible location; (f) A NAVTEX receiver; (a) A fixed type approved VHF (g) In addition to the equipment installation capable of – required for Sea Area A1, the (i) transmitting Digital following equipment should also Selective Calling (DSC) on be fitted on the craft when it is Channel 70, and operating in Sea Area A2 (ii) transmitting radiotelephony (approx. 150 nm from a coast on at least Channels 16, 13 radio station): and 6; (i) a MF radiotelephone (b) A VHF Digital Selective Calling installation capable of (DSC) watch-keeping receiver transmitting DSC on 2187.5 on Channel 70 which may be kHz integrated with the VHF DSC and unit in (a) above; (ii) a MF watch keeping (c) A type approved Satellite receiver capable of EPIRB, which must be – receiving DSC on 2187.5 144 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 145
2 kHz, which may be (b) A VHF Digital Selective Calling Appendices integrated with the unit in (i) (DSC) watch-keeping receiver above, on Channel 70 which may be or integrated with the VHF DSC (iii) an INMARSAT ship earth unit in (a) above; station that is capable of (c) A type-approved Satellite transmitting and receiving EPIRB or PLB, which must be telephony or telex, e.g. similar to that used for Satcom C, Satcom M or Category B Craft – Offshore; Mini-M (see specification (d) One hand-held type-approved below); waterproof VHF unit should be (h) Craft operating in Sea Area A3 carried with either: should install an INMARSAT (i) a suitable charging facility ship earth station, which is on board the vessel which capable of transmitting and is capable of maintaining receiving telephony or telex, in the battery fully charged at addition to the equipment all times, specified for Sea Areas A1 and or A2 above; (ii) a spare fully charged (i) A position fixing system capable battery, which can be easily of providing continuously affixed to the unit in the updated positional data to the event of an emergency, DSC and Satcom equipment, and stored in the watertight e.g. GPS. container on board.
Category C Craft – Inshore Category D Craft – Sheltered The following radiocommunications Waters equipment should be installed on A fixed or portable type approved Category C craft when it is operating VHF unit capable of transmitting in GMDSS Sea Area A1 (approx. 30 radiotelephony on at least nm from a coast radio station): Channels 16, 13 and 6 should be (a) A fixed type-approved VHF installed on Category D craft. installation capable of – (i) transmitting Digital Selective Calculation of VHF Range Calling (DSC) on Channel VHF range is generally regarded as 70 line of sight. The key factors in and determining VHF range are: (ii) transmitting radiotelephony (a) Height of antennas, on at least Channels 16, 13, (b) Power output, and 6; (c) Propagation conditions. 145 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 146
2 Approximate VHF range (A) can be the radio equipment on board. calculated from the following formula: The capacity (AHC) of the battery should be sufficient to A = 2.25(√ H + √ h) operate all the H = height of the coast radio station radiocommunications equipment VHF receiving antennae. for a period of at least 6 hours. h = height of the base of the boat's (c) The boat's service battery may Appendices VHF transmitting antennae above be used to meet the the water. requirements in (b) above provided that: Example 1: If "H" is 50 metres and (i) it has sufficient capacity to "h" is 4 metres, the operate all the range will be radiocommunications approximately 20 equipment for a period of at nautical miles. least 6 hours, and Example 2: If "H" is 100 metres and (ii) it is installed in the upper "h" is 4 metres, the part of the boat. range will be (d) Only approved marine-type deep approximately 27 cycle batteries should be nautical miles. installed. Example 3: Boat to boat with 4 (e) A suitable method of indicating metre antennas will be the radio battery voltage is approximately 9 recommended. nautical miles. (f) Radio equipment must never be connected directly to the battery. When hand-held VHF A suitable distribution board, with radiotelephones are being used, the correct breakers and fuses range will be reduced to should be installed. approximately one quarter of the (g) A suitable method of charging above figures. When using low the radio battery must be power, i.e. 1 watt, the range will be provided and the battery should further reduced. be maintained fully charged at all times. Power Supplies (Batteries) (a) The radiocommunications Installation and Location of Radio equipment should not be Batteries connected to the boat's starting (a) Radio batteries should be batteries. located in the upper part of the (b) A separate battery should be boat and as close to the radio installed to provide power for all equipment as possible. 146 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 147
2 (b) Where an outside battery box is The EPIRB or PLB must be Appendices used to store the radio batteries, programmed as follows: it should be properly ventilated, corrosion proof and protected 250 + Radio Call Sign against the ingress of seawater. (c) All battery units should be It is absolutely essential that the securely braced so that the EPIRB registration card be movement of the boat will not completed and forwarded dislocate them. immediately to the EPIRB (d) All battery boxes should be Registration Centre at the address properly ventilated. shown on the form. (e) Battery boxes should not be located in the accommodation The details on the registration card or navigation areas of the boat. will then become immediately available to the rescue services in Ship Radio Licence the event of an emergency. In accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, all vessels on Radio Operator Qualification which radiocommunications Radio operators should be certified equipment of any type is installed, to operate the radio equipment including hand-held VHFs and fitted on their craft. The minimum EPIRBs, must have a Radio radio operator qualifications Licence on board. required are as follows:
The application form for a Radio Craft Category A, B and C – Licence may be obtained from the Radio Operator’s Short Range MMO (see Appendix 10 for contact Certificate (SRC) or Long Range details). Certificate (LRC) as appropriate.
When the Radio Licence application Craft D – Radio Operator’s Short has been approved, a Radio Call Range Certificate (SRC) Module 1. Sign and Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number will be Radio equipment specifications issued to the applicant with the All radiocommunications equipment licence. The MMSI number must installed on yachts must meet the be programmed into the DSC technical and legislative standards equipment by the installation as set out in the Radio Equipment engineer. (RED) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) EU Directives.
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2 Equipment must have the CE mark Note: Radiocommunications to show compliance with the equipment manufactured in the Directives and must also meet the US, which does not meet these specifications set out in the Table standards, will not be accepted below. and will not be licensed in Ireland. Equipment manufactured to the Appendices higher Marine Equipment Directive standards is also acceptable.
Item Standard
Hand-held waterproof VHF (non-GMDSS) EN 301 178
VHF Class "D" DSC equipment EN 301 025
VHF only EN 300 162
MF/HF Class "E" DSC equipment DEN/ERM-RP01-054
406 MHz EPIRB and PLB EN 300 066
INMARSAT Satcom C ETS 300 460
Satcom M or Mini-M DEN/ERM RP01-34
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3 Appendix 3 Appendices
Buoyage There are six types of marks under the IALA System A: Coastal Water Schemes 1. Lateral. 2. Cardinal. Buoyage Types 3. Isolated Danger. Buoyage used in Irish Coastal 4. Special. Waters is International Association 5. Safe Water. of Marine Aids to Navigation and 6. Emergency Wreck Marking. Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Region A. Under this system, 1. Lateral Marks boats proceeding up a marked or These are used to indicate the port buoyed channel from sea must (left) and the starboard (right) sides always have their starboard side to of the channels when travelling in the green buoys. the Direction of Buoyage, that is into port from seaward. Direction of Buoyage Port-hand marks are coloured red and the basic shape is cylindrical (can) for buoy (and topmark when fitted). If lit, the light will be red and may have a rhythm. Such a mark would be on the port side of a vessel when travelling in the direction of buoyage.
On entering Port the starboard- hand mark (green) should be passed on the vessels starboard (right) side. When leaving Port the port-hand mark (red) should Colour: Red be passed on the vessels Shape (buoys): Cylindrical (can), starboard (right) side. pillar or spar Topmark (if any): Single red cylinder (can)
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3 Lights: red when fitted may have Lights: green when fitted, may any rhythm other than composite have any rhythm other than group-flashing (2+1) used on composite group-flashing (2+1) modified lateral marks indicating a used on modified lateral marks preferred channel. Examples are: indicating a preferred channel. Examples are: Appendices
Starboard-hand marks are coloured green and the basic When marks are numbered, the shape is conical (and topmark odd numbers will lie on the when fitted). If lit, the light will be starboard side and the even green on any rhythm. This mark numbers will lie on the port, when would be on the starboard side of a travelling in the Direction of vessel when travelling in the Buoyage. They are numbered from Direction of Buoyage. Examples seaward. are: 2. Cardinal Marks These are used to indicate the location of the best navigable water; to show the safe side on which to pass danger (rocks, wrecks, shoals, etc.) and to draw Colour: Green attention to a feature in a channel. Shape (buoys): Conical (cone), pillar or spar To understand the meaning of a Topmark (if any): Single green cone particular cardinal mark, the point upwards navigator must be aware of his or her geographical directions and, therefore, needs a compass to indicate where the best navigable water lies. The mark is placed in one of the four quadrants: north, south, east or west. If in doubt, consult the navigation chart for the waterway you are using.
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3 Appendices
The shape of a cardinal mark is not North Cardinal Mark significant but, in the case of a This has two cones pointing up. If buoy, it will be a pillar or spar. The lit, a north marker exhibits a most important daylight feature of continuous quick or very quick the cardinal mark is the black flashing white light. double cone topmark and the four different arrangements that indicate Pass on the northern side of this the relevant direction from the mark. mark. East Cardinal Mark Black and yellow horizontal bands This has two cones pointing away are used to colour the cardinal from each other. When lit, an east marks. If lit, the mark will exhibit a mark exhibits a white light flashing white light of Quick Flash (= about in groups of three (3) quick or very 1 per second) or Very Quick Flash quick flashes. (= about 2 per second) characteristic. The rhythm of the Pass on the eastern side of this light will indicate the particular mark. quadrant of the mark. 151 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:05 Page 152
3 South Cardinal Mark double sphere, vertically disposed, This has two cones pointing down. black topmark. If lit, the light will be When lit, a south mark exhibits a white showing a group of two white light flashing in groups of six flashes. (6) quick or very quick flashes followed by a long flash. The association of two flashes = two spheres, may assist the Appendices Pass on the southern side of this memory with this one. mark. Isolated Danger Marks are not West Cardinal Mark always positioned centrally over a This has two cones point to point. danger and it is therefore advisable When lit, a west mark exhibits a not to pass too close. white light flashing in groups of nine (9) quick or very quick flashes. 4. Special Marks These are used to indicate a Pass on the western side of this special area or feature, the nature mark. of which may be found by consulting a chart or sailing 3. Isolated Danger Marks directions.
The colour of the special mark is always yellow and the top mark is a single yellow X. If a light is fitted, it will be yellow and may have any rhythm not used for white lights, for example, FlY, Fl (4) Y.
These are on, or moored above, an isolated danger of limited extent that has navigable water all around it. The colours are red and black horizontal stripes and the mark is, when practicable, fitted with a
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3 Appendices
5. Safe Water Marks vertical strips. The topmark, which These are used to indicate that is fitted when practicable to pillar there is navigable water all around and spar buoys, is spherical and the mark. These marks can be red. If lit, an isophase occulting or used as a centre line, mid-channel single long flashing white light is or landfall buoy. The shape of the exhibited. buoy is spherical, pillar or spar and is coloured with red and white Operators of vessels are cautioned that large commercial vessels may pass close by these marks.
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3 6. Emergency Wreck Light: Yellow/Blue alternating – Marking Buoy one second of blue light and one ‘New Dangers’ should be second of yellow light with 0.5 sec. appropriately marked using Lateral, of darkness between. Cardinal, Isolated Danger marks or by using the Emergency Wreck The Emergency Wreck Marking Marking Buoy. If the relevant Aid to Buoy may be fitted with a RACON Appendices Navigation Authority considers the Morse Code “D” and/or an AIS. risk to navigation to be especially high, at least one of the marks Inland Waterways Schemes should be duplicated. Masters using inland waterways should exercise caution and refer to Colour: Blue/Yellow vertical charts and navigation guides stripes, coloured in equal number regularly to avoid confusion. and dimensions Details of the principal marking (minimum of 4 stripes and schemes used on the Shannon, maximum of 8 stripes). Erne and Lough Corrib waterways are provided below. Topmark: Standing or upright yellow cross. Information in relation to buoyage on other inland waterway systems Shape: Pillar or Spar. should be obtained in advance of commencing any voyage from the relevant responsible authority.
Shannon Navigation Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the management, maintenance, restoration and development of a number of inland navigable waterways including the Shannon. On the Shannon Navigation upstream of Shannon Bridge, Limerick, the buoyage system consists of red and green lateral marks. Downstream of Shannon Bridge, the IALA Region A system applies.
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3 Red marks are kept to your left into bays and harbours. Green Appendices (port) going upstream and into bays topmarks are always square or and harbours. Red topmarks are rectangular. Perches and beacons always round. Fixed (as opposed to often have a white arrow indicating floating) marks often have a white the safe-side. Marks (see Figure 1) arrow indicating the safe-side. can consist of: Green marks are kept to your right (starboard) going upstream and
(a) Vertical stakes or perches with circular red or square/rectangular green topmarks. The stake itself may or may not be painted the and same colour as the topmark. Stakes can be near the bank, in (b) the reed margin, on a visible obstruction or out in the water- body. In some areas a topmark is fitted to the top of a cairn of stones.
(c) Large floating cagebuoys with circular red and or (d) square/rectangular green topmarks and often a large letter or number which can be related to the navigation charts. Buoy body painted same colour as topmark. (e) Small cone-shaped floating buoys with circular red or square/rectangular green topmarks. Buoy body painted same and colour as the topmark. (f)
(g) Red or green painted floating cans or drums with a topmark. and (h)
(i) Red circles or green squares/rectangles painted on the piers of and a bridge to indicate the navigation arch or arches. (Showing “safe-side” arrows). (j)
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3
(a) (b)
(d)
Appendices (c)
(e) (f)
(g) (h) Upstream & into bays and harbours
(i) (j)
Figure 1 - Shannon Navigation Marks
Note: You must remain aware of this situation but follow the basic the direction of travel relative to the rules keeping red marks to your left direction of the buoyage system going upstream or green marks to (up/downstream, into/out of your right. See Figure 2. harbours and bays) to avoid confusion at “middle ground” situations and refer to your Upstream navigation guide. Such situations occur (mainly on the larger lakes) Sailing course where there are safe channels either side of an obstruction and
one or more pairs of red and green Sailing course buoys or stakes will be used in seemingly the reverse sense to mark the problem area. Do not go between the Red/Green pairs in
Figure 2 - Middle Ground Marking
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3 of the semi-circle are painted – the Appendices red half of each face denotes the hazardous side of the mark and white denotes the safe side.
In some areas on the large lakes, white painted stone cairns are used to help with position location.
Marks (see Figure 3) can consist of:
(i) Marks with the horizontal edge at the bottom are left (port) hand marks going upstream. (ii) Marks with the horizontal edge at the top are right (starboard) hand marks Warning: Marks can become going upstream. discoloured and misshapen over (iii) Middle grounds are time by a combination of weather, denoted by red diamond collision damage, bird droppings, shaped marks. Do not weed growth, etc., thereby pass between pairs of disguising their appearance. It can middle ground marks. be quite hard to see the small markers, and to distinguish colours, when visibility is poor because of Many of the Erne system marks are cloud, darkness, rain or the sun in numbered and the numbers can be the wrong direction. referenced to the navigation guide.
Erne Navigation On the Erne navigation the marking system consists mainly of stakes with red and white painted topmarks. The topmarks are semi- circular in shape and mounted so Upstream into bays & harbours that the flat edge of the semicircle (i) (ii) (iii) is horizontal, either at the top of the mark or at the bottom. Both faces Figure 3 - Erne System Marks 157 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 158
3 Shannon-Erne Waterway The Shannon Navigation system of red and green lateral marks is used on the Shannon-Erne Waterway from Leitrim to the middle of the summit level (Lough Scur) at a point just west of Keshkerrigan. Appendices From this point east to the Erne, the waterway uses the Erne marking scheme.
Corrib Navigation The navigation system on Lough Corrib follows the IALA Region A system:
■ RED – a cylindrical (can) shaped mark to port, ■ GREEN – conical (cone) shaped mark to starboard.
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4 Appendix 4 Appendices
Anchoring, Stability and Danforth Boat Handling
Anchoring
Anchoring is an essential element of seamanship and all operators must be familiar with the procedure and carry the proper equipment on board. Anchoring is done for two principal reasons: ■ For recreational purposes such as fishing, swimming or an Commonly used, it has two pivoting overnight stay. flukes that dig into the bottom. The ■ As an emergency action, to Danforth can be made of either prevent running aground in bad steel or high-strength aluminium. It weather or as a result of engine offers good holding in mud or sand, failure. but has a tendency to pull out of a bottom covered with weeds or The object is to secure the boat to grass because it often only lies on the bottom in such a manner that it the top of such vegetation. It will will not pull free in any anticipated hook into rocks, but may be difficult weather conditions. Anchoring is a to get free; it may also bend or safe, simple and speedy operation break when so hooked. It has the provided a number of basic advantage of stowing flat on deck. guidelines are followed. The equipment needed for anchoring Plough Anchor consists essentially of an anchor and rode, which may be either line or chain, with shackles to join the various segments.
Anchors There are many types of anchors and new designs appear from time to time. Some examples of the most widely used are as follows:
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4 Folding Anchor Appendices
The Plough anchor is very effective because it has sufficient weight to Generally suitable only for the enable its fluke to dig into a variety smallest of craft and deployment in of bottoms, but is awkward to stow moderate conditions. It has the on deck. It is popular with sailors advantage of folding closed when and powerboaters whose craft have stored, rather like an umbrella, and bow pulpits with rollers. On larger is easily stowed on board. craft, it can be deployed and recovered remotely from the The Fortress cockpit when combined with an electric windlass. There are a number of different manufacturers of Ploughs, in addition to the original CQR model.
The Bruce
Similar to the Danforth, the Fortress is a fluke style anchor. Fortress anchors are made of lightweight high strength aluminium magnesium alloy. This anchor is popular due to the fact that it is lightweight and can be dismantled for storage. Fortress anchors have This anchor is much like the greater holding power in mud Plough, but has a fixed stock rather because they can be adjusted from than one that pivots. their standard 32° to a broad 45°
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4 fluke angle. While this type of The Anchor Rode Appendices anchor performs well in clay, sand Connecting the anchor to the and mud bottoms, if the bottom vessel is the anchor rode, which does not allow for digging in, such may be either a chain or synthetic as hard or rocky, or weedy, then the rope. Ensure the anchor rode is flukes cannot bury and the anchor correctly connected to the vessel in will not set. the first instance with the appropriate shackle. An advantage The Delta of chain is its weight adds to the holding power of any anchor and it is resistant to damage. However, it is heavy and difficult to use and stow. If the rode is comprised entirely of chain, it is generally necessary to have an anchor windlass to raise it. Furthermore, the weight of a sufficient length of chain may be a problem in the bow The Delta anchor is a fixed shank of a small craft, especially one with plough, essentially a development a sharp entry and limited buoyancy of the CQR model. It has a superior forward. holding power to the CQR. This type of anchor is heavier and Line is favoured by many for bulkier than the Danforth model. It anchoring because its elasticity is considered effective as a general absorbs the shock load when purpose anchor for sand, thick anchoring in moderate to heavy mud, weedy bottoms and swells. Three-stranded twisted sometimes rocky areas. However it nylon is preferred over double-braid holds poorly in soft mud and the line because it stretches more. If Delta is found wanting on very hard you use line for your rode, a length compact sand, grass, weed and of chain several metres long should kelp. The Delta is large, fairly heavy be inserted just above the anchor and usually stowed in a ball roller. to counteract against any chafing on rocks or coral. The weight of this The number and type of anchors chain also keeps the lower end of for a particular craft should be the rode down against the bottom, largely determined by the size and thereby making the pull on the intended cruising area of the anchor more horizontal. A swivel vessel. connection should be used between anchor and chain to assist 161 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 162
4 in the proper setting and stowing of a good practice if possible. the anchor. Approaching the Anchorage Anchoring Procedures and Ensure all anchoring equipment is Techniques ready for deployment prior to making an approach. If there are Selecting an Anchorage other boats in the anchorage you Appendices Unless it is an emergency, the first have selected, look for a place step in anchoring is deciding where where you will have adequate to lower your anchor. Do not anchor swinging room. Estimate the in a channel or the approaches to a swinging circles of the other channel. Refer to local charts and anchored boats – note how the sailing instructions as a source of other boats are lying to any wind suitable anchoring locations. and current. Reduce speed and enter the anchorage on the same Prevailing winds, bottom depth, heading as boats already bottom composition, tidal rises and anchored, slowing even more as the existence of other craft in the you approach your chosen spot. anchorage should all be considered in coming to a decision as to where Setting the Anchor to deploy an anchor. When you have reached just beyond where you want to anchor, Shelter from the wind is important check all headway and start a very because calmer water will put less slow backward movement – then, strain on the ground tackle. and only then, deploy your anchor. Consider any anticipated changes Continue to move astern slowly, as in wind direction and velocity. The you pay out the necessary length of composition of the bottom will affect rode. The proper length is the type of anchor you will use, determined by the desired scope – assuming that you have a choice. the ratio of the length of the rode in Ideally, the water should be deep use to the distance to the bottom of enough so you will not have to the water. Note that this is not just worry about sitting on the bottom at the depth of the water – it is the low tide. However, deeper water is value plus the height of the bow not always better. The deeper the above the surface. The depth of the water, the longer the rode must be, water used in calculating scope is and so the greater your swinging the greatest depth that will occur circle will be. Anchoring in water while anchored, that is, the depth at that, at its lowest, will be two or high tide. For calm conditions, a three times the draft of your boat, is scope of five is generally 162 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 163
4 satisfactory when using a line rode; windlass or by hand as it becomes Appendices when using chain, a scope of three slack. Once the boat is positioned works well. For expected bad directly above, the anchor will weather, increase these values to break out of the bottom and can be as much as ten and seven recovered on board. respectively. Dangers involved in Anchoring ■ Where it is necessary to range out anchor chain/line on deck prior to dropping an anchor, ensure it is flaked out in a safe manner and does not pose a hazard to crew. Be aware of the dangers to hands/fingers of chain running at speed out over rollers. Also when recovering line, ensure it is quickly and promptly It is helpful if the anchor line or stowed so as to avoid the risk of chain is marked at regular intervals. injury. When the proper length of rode has ■ Always ensure an anchor line is been let out, it should be removed deployed over the forward end of from the anchor windlass (if one a boat using a suitable stemhead has been used) and the line made roller or fairlead. This is fast to a Samson post, anchor bitts essential to keep a craft’s head or a cleat. When the rode is fully to the prevailing conditions. extended, apply a burst of reverse ■ Do not anchor by the stern. power to make sure that the anchor Anchoring a small boat by the is holding. stern may result in swamping and capsize. The transom area Take a series of bearings on offers less freeboard than the shoreside marks for use as a bow and greater resistance to reference as to your boat’s position tide/weather. In a current, the and check them on a frequent basis force of the water can pull the to ensure your craft has not stern under. The boat is also dragged her anchor. vulnerable to swamping by wave action. In addition, the weight of Getting Underway a motor, fuel tank or other gear in When you are ready to leave your the stern increases the risk. anchorage, go forward slowly, ■ Anchor rodes should be secured taking in the anchor rode by to a suitably strengthened cleat, 163 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 164
4 Samson post or windlass, requires consideration. Both should positioned as far forward in the be as low in the boat as practical. It boat as possible. Anchor lines is an absolute necessity to make should not be led aft within a sure that neither can suddenly shift boat, e.g. to Thwarts or seats, as from one side of the boat to the to do so may result in the craft other. broaching into prevailing weather Appendices /tide conditions and being Recreational craft designs built swamped. under the Recreational Craft ■ When recovering an anchor on Directive will have been assessed small boats, take care to ensure against an ISO stability and the line is neatly and correctly buoyancy standard. The essential stowed as it is brought on board. requirements dictate that a boat Do not allow it to foul items such must have appropriate buoyancy, as oarlocks, which may cause stability and freeboard for the the boat to broach in the event of design category it is intended for. load coming on the anchor rode. The Builder’s Plate mounted on the transom will include the boats Stability maximum recommended load, A boat may be subject to heeling indicated by the maximum number forces from a number of sources, of persons and/or equipment. It is from which it must have the ability essential that craft are not to right itself or suffer a capsize. overloaded.
Typical forces include: While a boat floats at its mooring, ■ Forces generated by wind there are two basic forces at work – ■ Forces created by waves ■ gravity, a naturally downward ■ Excessive offset load, e.g. force that is trying to pull the boat crowding of persons to one side toward the centre of the earth ■ Reduction of original stability due and to modifications (extra weight ■ buoyancy, which effectively added high up in the structure) moves a boat upward to the point ■ Excessive water in bilges equal to the weight of the amount creating a free surface effect of water the boat is pushing out ■ Flooding damage. of the way.
The ability of any boat to right itself Looking at a cross-section of a is called stability. It should be boat's hull, sitting level in the water, evident that stowing gear and you can imagine two theoretical installing equipment on a boat points. 164 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 165
4 The Centre of Gravity (CG) will time the boat begins to heel (list) Appendices be in the very centre of the entire because the amount and shape of hull space. The force of gravity the boat under water changes. can be considered to act through this point. The distance between the Centre of Gravity and the Centre of Buoyancy The other point, the Centre of is called the Righting arm. The Buoyancy (CB), will be in the weight of the boat is pushing down centre of the underwater portion at the CG and the weight of the of your boat, and it is through this water is pushing up at the CB. This that the upwardly acting buoyancy situation creates a rotating force or force acts. motion that is called the righting moment. When the CG and the CB are vertically aligned, the boat is level. As long as the upward force of When a boat is properly designed buoyancy is able to return the boat and constructed, with gear stowed to an upright position, the situation correctly, the CG should always is called a positive righting moment stay in the same place. The CB, (Fig 2). In this situation CG is however, will change position any always within CB.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
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4 If for any reason, however, the Boat Handling Hazards Centre of Gravity should shift outside of the Centre of Buoyancy, Overloading it creates a negative righting This will reduce a boat’s freeboard moment and the boat is going to and affect its handling abilities. capsize (Fig 3). Commonly it can result in capsize and sinking on smaller craft. Appendices Negative righting moments occur due to the Centre of Gravity (CG) of Offset Loading a boat being raised above its Where the load is poorly distributed design point as a result of – to one side it will result in reduced ■ Overloading, stability in one direction of heel, ■ Due to structural modifications making the boat vulnerable to for which the craft was never swamping due to reduced designed, e.g. addition of freeboard, and generally suffering wheelhouse, seating on top of from permanent list. Such a craft existing wheelhouses, taller rigs, will have its handling characteristics in mast furling, radar sets, etc., adversely affected. ■ Excess water in bilges or flooding (Alters position of CG). Poor Trim This will result in a boat sitting Besides careful stowing, boat either too far down in the water at handling may affect a boat’s the bow or stern depending on stability, e.g. never run parallel to where the weight is positioned. If large waves in a boat that is too far forward, water will be taken overloaded or too small for the over the bow and steering will be situation. As the waves cause the affected. If aft, there is the risk of boat to roll from one side to the swamping over the stern and other, the positions of the CG and handling will be affected. the CB are constantly changing. Even a relatively small change Weight too high during the rolling, such as gear This will reduce stability and make shifting or a passenger moving to the boat unstable. Always the low side, will create a negative distribute weight as low as righting moment. Always think twice possible. about any modification to your boat that raises its Centre of Gravity, Swamping and seek professional advice The rapid filling of a boat with water before commencing. as a result of poor loading and/or wave action. 166 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 167
5 Appendix 5 Appendices Personal Flotation Lifejackets provide face up in-water Devices/Lifejackets, support to the user regardless of Jacklines and Safety physical conditions. Buoyancy aids Harnesses require the user to make swimming and other postural movements to Types of personal flotation position the user with the face out devices (PFD/Lifejackets) of the water.
The term personal flotation device The following Table lists the (PFD) is an all-encompassing term, different types of PFD/lifejackets which covers all forms of lifejackets with suggested guidance on and buoyancy aids intended to help selection and where they should be keep a person afloat in the water. used. The Table is for guidance These range from “CE” marked only. Persons must assess the risks lifejackets through to “CE” marked appropriate to their area of buoyancy aids. operation and select personal flotation devices accordingly.
Type and Markings Suggested Uses International Standard: Lifejackets for seagoing ships. Intended IMO SOLAS/EU Marine primarily for use on seagoing ships under IMO Equipment Directive (International Maritime Organisation) rules. Use for abandoning ship. Not intended for everyday use as they are generally bulky and they need to be kept in good condition for use in abandon ship situations.
European Harmonised For offshore use and by people who are using Standard: items of significant weight and thus require I.S. EN ISO 12402-2:2006 additional buoyancy. Also of value to those who are using clothing which traps air and Old Standard: which will adversely affect the self-righting EN 399 capacity of the lifejacket. Designed to ensure that the user is floating with his/her mouth and nose clear of the surface at an angle and with sufficient freeboard to limit mouth immersions in waves.
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5
Type and Markings Suggested Uses European Harmonised For swimmers and non-swimmers of any age. Standard: For general offshore and rough weather use. I.S. EN ISO 12402-3:2006 Turns most unconscious wearers face up in water. However, performance may be Old Standard: affected if the user is wearing heavy and/or
Appendices EN 396 waterproof clothing. May be suitable for use in tidal waters or when foul weather clothing is being worn and where the wearers may not be capable of helping themselves due to injury or exhaustion.
European Harmonised For swimmers of any age. For use in relatively Standard: sheltered/calm waters and intended for those I.S. EN ISO 12402-4:2006 who may have to wait for rescue. Will not turn unconscious wearers face up in water Old Standard: (particularly when wearing heavy clothing). EN 395 May be suitable in instances where the wearers remain capable of helping themselves. Whilst these PFDs may be less bulky than other types of PFDs, they should not be used in rough conditions or when there is wave splash.
European Harmonised Only for good swimmers and for use near to a Standard: bank or shore where help is close at hand. I.S. EN ISO 12402-5:2006 Requires active participation of the user. Will not hold the face of an unconscious wearer Old Standard: clear of the water and does not have sufficient EN 393 buoyancy to protect people who are unable to help themselves. May be suitable in circumstances where more bulky or buoyant devices could impair the user’s activity or actually endanger them. They have minimum bulk and cost, but they are of limited use in disturbed water and cannot be expected to keep the user safe for a long period of time. Not a lifejacket.
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5 Appendices Type and Markings Suggested Uses Special purpose These are special purpose devices for specific lifejackets and buoyancy needs that go beyond the requirements of the aids – performance levels average user and those that rely on the skill, 50-275 knowledge, special training and participation of the user. This should be stated clearly in European Harmonised the information supplied by the manufacturer Standard: of these items. For use when fire-fighting. I.S. EN ISO 12402-6:2006 They are also for use with personal watercraft (jet skis), waterskiing or similar towed uses and are also used for white water rafting.
Note It is essential that pleasure and Irish Standard (I.S.) refers to recreational craft owners select National Standards which are used PFDs that are suitable for the to ensure uniformity and minimum particular circumstances in standards for products and services which they will be used. in Ireland. Only Irish manufacturers will have this prefix. Other European manufacturers will use Before purchasing a their own country prefix instead of PFD/Lifejacket ensure: I.S. 1. The device is sufficient to give a person using it a positive EuroNorm (EN) refers to buoyancy in waters which are European-wide standards that are likely to be encountered. Users used for ensuring the uniformity should be aware that certain and minimum standards for PFDs may not perform as well in products and services. extreme climate conditions, even if they are fully approved International Organisation for PFDs. Standardisation (ISO) refers to 2. PFDs may also be affected by International Standards that are other conditions of use, such as used to ensure uniformity and chemical exposure and welding, minimum standards for products and may require additional and services at an international protection, e.g. a protective level. layer, to meet the specific requirements of use. If the user intends taking a PFD into such 169 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 170
5 conditions, the user must be Notes for selection of satisfied that the PFD will not be PFD/Lifejackets adversely affected. The selection of a PFD/lifejacket is 3. The device is appropriate to the a complex issue and it is body weight and chest girth of dependent on many factors such the person who is to wear it. as: 4. The device has on it the CE ■ the area of operation for the Appendices conformity marking consisting of vessel the initials “CE” taking the form ■ sea state of the specimen given in Annex ■ weather conditions IV of Council Directive ■ seasonal variations 89/686/EEC of 21 December ■ night and day time operation 1989 (as amended by Council ■ ease of use Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July ■ type and buoyancy of clothing 1993 and Council Directive worn 96/58/EC of the European ■ proximity to rescue services. Parliament and the Council of 3 September 1996). This Appendix attempts to deal with these issues and to highlight Please Note: Some inflatable concerns and issues that should be PFDs come provided with crotch considered in selecting a straps and others are sold with PFD/lifejacket. the crotch strap as an optional extra. To maximise the Inflatable PFD/lifejackets such as lifesaving potential of inflatable those complying with I.S. EN ISO PFDs, it is recommended that a 12402-3:2006 (EN 396) and I.S. EN crotch strap (or leg straps) ISO 12402-2:2006 (EN 399) are should always be worn, over the lightweight and less restrictive and top of all clothing. For further can be worn comfortably in both details see Marine Notice Nos. 45 warm and cold weather. They can of 2012, 39 of 2013, 48 of 2015, also be fitted with automatic 10 of 2016 and 27 of 2016. inflation devices and may turn the wearer face upwards in the water, Marine Notices are available on the depending on the clothing worn. Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport website www.dttas.ie or It must be recognised that clothing from the Irish Maritime traps air, which may result in a Administration, Department of person not floating as would be Transport, Tourism and Sport, expected. Clothing absorbs water, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60. making a person heavier to 170 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 171
5 support. The person may need to Guidance for correct use of Appendices use a PFD with a higher PFD/Lifejackets performance standard to ensure 1. Inflatable personal flotation that they self-right face up and their devices must be worn over all mouth and nose are kept clothing and not underneath. sufficiently clear of the water. This is to ensure that there is sufficient space for the device to If the wearer is at risk of entering inflate and that the wearer’s the water in a disabled or breathing is not restricted. unconscious condition, then the 2. PFD/lifejackets should be worn lifejacket should be fitted with both in the correct position on the manual and automatic activation to torso as per the manufacturer’s ensure that the lifejacket will inflate instructions to prevent them automatically. from riding up above the wearer’s shoulders. Hold-down Consideration should also be given devices such as crotch straps or to fitting personal flotation devices thigh straps can greatly assist in with lights. A lifejacket light can aid keeping the PFD in the correct location and reduce the recovery or position. Where supplied, thigh rescue time in bad visibility, day or straps should be correctly fitted night. These lights should comply and adjusted. with the EuroNorm standard EN 3. Every user should read the ISO 12402-8:2006 (EN 394). manufacturer’s instructions for wearing, maintaining and servicing a lifejacket, and be fully aware of how to activate and operate it. 4. PFDs must be serviced and maintained on a regular basis. Servicing of PFDs should only be carried out by manufacturers/approved agents in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Users should carry out regular safety checks prior to each use.
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5 7. Automatically inflatable PFD/lifejackets, which operate by means of a soluble bobbin, may activate in error if left in a damp condition. When inflatable PFD/lifejackets are not being worn, they should be hung to Appendices dry vertically to ensure that all moisture drains away from the 5. As a minimum, checks should bobbin. Covers are available include: which reduce the problem of - Harness straps/stitching accidental inflation. inspected and checked for 8. Where PFDs are required to be damage/wear carried on board a craft, it is - External lining inspected for recommended that they are wear/damage stored in a readily accessible - All buckles checked/adjusted position which may save time in as required an emergency situation. - All zips, buckles, fasteners, webbing straps and lights (if PFD/lifejackets are available for fitted) are functioning babies. correctly - Hold-down devices attached to the PFD, if fitted - In the case of an inflatable PFD, the CO2 gas firing cylinder is firmly screwed into the inflation valve and has not been fired - Manual firing lanyard positioned for use if required - Be aware of any marked expiry dates of the firing mechanism components. 6. PFD users should not use PFDs with expired components and should remove these PFDs from the boat. They should refer to an approved service agent if there are any concerns about a PFD. 172 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 173
5 Please Note: synthetic fibres. The weakness Appendices Wearers must be aware of the they have is that they degrade legal requirements in relation to with ultra violet light and the wearing of PFDs and the weathering, and have been penalties arising from non- known to fail when a load is compliance. For further details placed upon them. see Chapter 1 and Marine Notice ■ They should be tested each No. 10 of 2016. season. If in doubt, cut them in half and have them replaced with Jacklines and Safety new ones, which are relatively Harnesses inexpensive.
Lifelines/Jackstays Offshore sailors will be familiar with jackstays or webbing straps that run fore and aft over most of the length of the boat to allow crew to complete most operations on deck, while remaining attached by their harness.
There are a number of points to be aware of in relation to jackstays: ■ The more conventional type is made from stainless steel wire, which has the tendency to get underfoot and trip crew members. On many yachts they have been replaced with a webbing strap, which has the advantage of not as readily tripping up crew members. ■ They are normally made from polypropylene or blended 173 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 174
6 Appendix 6 Weather, Sea States and more, and it is issued at all times Tides of the year. The small craft warning covers the large internal lakes as Forecasts and Warnings well as coastal areas. A gale warning is issued for Force 8 or
Appendices Met Éireann regularly forecasts for small boats operating in coastal more and supersedes the small waters, including essential craft warning. information on the expected wind direction and strength, the state of Weather forecasts should always the sea and swell, visibility, and be checked prior to departure and changes expected during the can be obtained from the following forecast period. Forecasts are sources: issued in the early morning for the Primary Weather Sources: remainder of the day until midnight, ■ National Radio – shipping at about midday for the rest of the forecasts are broadcast on day and the following day, and in national radio stations. In the late afternoon for that night and addition, a service for inland the following day. Check well ahead waters is also broadcast for the of your planned trip – you can get major waterways. RTE Radio 1 an idea of the changes in the broadcasts three times daily at weather pattern from the forecasts approximately 6:02am, 12:53pm issued 24 hours or longer before and at 11:55pm. you leave shore. Strong wind ■ Local radio stations will warnings are issued whenever broadcast forecasts for local winds of 25 knots or more are waters and inland lakes. Dublin expected. The direction and and Galway local stations strength of the wind, sea and swell broadcast winds for the information and an indication of respective bays. expected developments are also ■ National Television Channels – given. Gale or storm warnings are Met Éireann provides weather issued when the wind is expected bulletins on RTE 1 and RTE 2. to reach Beaufort Scale Force 8 (34 ■ Telephone and fax – Met Éireann knots). offers a charge service for detailed sea area forecasts. Small Craft Warnings ■ Internet – Met Éireann web page The small craft warning is issued – www.met.ie. for expected winds of Force 6 or ■ M.met.ie is a cross platform site 174 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 175
6 designed to work on web noticeboards, as will yacht clubs Appendices enabled mobile phones. during sailing events. ■ Coast Guard Radio – generally ■ Marine Institute Weather Buoys. announced on VHF Channel 16 ■ Navtex receivers on board and broadcast on Channel 26. provide a printed forecast in The Sea Area Forecast (SAF) is addition to navigation broadcast on the named channel information. at three hour intervals beginning ■ Meteoalarm provides extreme 01:03 followed by 04:03, 07:03, weather alerts for Ireland and the 10:03, 13:03, 16:03, 19:03 and rest of Europe 22:03. Gale warnings are also (www.meteoalarm.eu). The preceded by an announcement system uses colour coding to on Channel 16 and usually indicate the severity of the broadcast on receipt, and expected hazard. An explanation repeated at the next one of the of the warnings categories and following times: 00:33, 06:33, thresholds can be found at 12:33 and 18:33. www.met.ie/nationalwarnings. ■ A number of websites are Secondary Weather Sources: available that specialise in giving ■ Teletext/Aertel p. 162, 163, information on marine weather. including any small craft Some examples are given below: warnings issued. http://passageweather.com/ ■ Harbour Offices and Marinas will https://www.windguru.cz/ post a copy of the current local http://magicseaweed.com/ sea area forecast on
Beaufort Force 0 Wind speed (knots): Under 1 Wind description: Calm Sea state: Sea is mirrorlike.
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6 Beaufort Force 1 Wind speed (knots): 1-3 Wind description: Light Airs Sea state: Ripples with appearance of scales, no foam crests. Appendices
Beaufort Force 2 Wind speed (knots): 4-6 Wind description: Light Breeze Sea state: Small wavelets, crests beginning to break, scattered whitecaps.
Beaufort Force 3 Wind speed (knots): 7-10 Wind description: Gentle Breeze Sea state: Large wavelets, crests beginning to break, scattered whitecaps.
Beaufort Force 4 Wind speed (knots): 11-16 Wind description: Moderate Breeze Sea state: Small waves, becoming longer, numerous whitecaps.
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6 Beaufort Force 5 Appendices Wind speed (knots): 17-21 Wind description: Fresh Breeze Sea state: Moderate waves, taking longer form, many whitecaps, some spray.
Beaufort Force 6 Wind speed (knots): 22-27 Wind description: Strong Breeze Sea state: Larger waves forming, whitecaps everywhere, much spray.
Beaufort Force 7 Wind speed (knots): 28-33 Wind description: Near Gale Sea state: Sea heaps up, white foam form breaking waves begin to be blown in streaks.
Beaufort Force 8 Wind speed (knots): 34-40 Wind description: Gale Sea state: Moderately high waves of greater length, edges of crests begin to break into spindrift, foam is blown into well defined streaks.
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6 Beaufort Force 9 Wind speed (knots): 41-47 Wind description: Strong Gale Sea state: High waves, sea begins to roll, dense streaks of foam, spray Appendices begins to reduce visibility.
Beaufort Force 10 Wind speed (knots): 48-55 Wind description: Storm Sea state: Very high waves with overhanging crests, sea takes on white appearance, foam blown in dense streaks, rolling is heavy, visibility reduced.
Tides Along with the weather, an they result in water movements understanding of tides and how (tidal streams). This movement they affect sea states is important. can be significant inshore such as Some knowledge of tides is on estuaries and near headlands. desirable before going afloat on the Tide levels/streams are important sea. for many recreational activities including swimming, sailing, fishing, The tide is basically the rise and fall boat berthing, anchoring and of the sea level; is caused by the passage planning. Notable combined effects of the forces hazards from tides include tide rips exerted by the Moon and the Sun and races, inadvertent grounding and can have a marked effect on and stray navigation. Tidal level maritime-related activities. On Irish predictions and information can be coastal waters, tides are semi- obtained from various nautical diurnal (two high and low waters Almanacs, newspapers, websites each day). Tides can also and phone apps. influence marine activities in that
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6
Marine Weather Services Sea Area Map Appendices
This map shows areas covered by miles (56 km) southwest of Met Éireann marine forecasts. Mizen Head. Note the white dashed line M4 : 54.9982°N 09.992154°W represents the furthest coverage • Off the Donegal coast: limit for the Sea Area Forecast. Approximately 45 nautical miles (83 km) west northwest Marine Institute Weather of Rossan Point. Buoys M5 : 51.6900°N 06.7040°W The Marine Institute has 5 weather • Off the south Wexford coast: buoys around the Irish coast which Approximately 30 nautical aim to provide improved weather miles (56 km) south of Hook forecasts and safety at sea around Head. Ireland. M6 : 53.07482°N 15.88135°W • Deep Atlantic: Approximately Buoy Positions 210 nautical miles (389 km) M2 : 53.4800°N 05.4250°W west southwest of Slyne • Irish Sea: Approximately 20 Head. nautical miles (37 km) east of The buoy network provides vital Howth Head. data for weather forecasts, shipping M3 : 51.2166°N 10.5500°W bulletins, gale and swell warnings • Off the Cork coast: as well as data for general public Approximately 30 nautical information and research. 179 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 180
7 Appendix 7 Directive on Recreational 2013/53/EU was transposed into Craft and Personal Irish law through the European Watercraft – Advice on Union (Recreational Craft and buying a Recreational Craft Personal Watercraft) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 65 of 2017), as Appendices Since June 1998 all recreational amended by the European Union craft new to the European (Recreational Craft and Personal Economic Area1 (EEA) were Watercraft) (Procedures for required to comply with the Watercraft Identification) Recreational Craft Directive, Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 217 of 2017). Directive 94/25/EC, as amended. The Directive was implemented in The Directive is beneficial to Ireland by the European consumers as it requires craft to Communities (Recreational Craft) meet essential safety, health, Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 40 of environmental protection and 1998), as amended in 2004 by the consumer protection requirements. European Communities Directive 2013/53/EU lays down (Recreational Craft) (Amendment) requirements for the design and Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 422 of construction, exhaust emissions 2004). and noise emissions of recreational craft, personal watercraft, Directive 2013/53/EU on components and propulsion recreational craft and personal engines installed in or on watercraft repealed Directive watercraft. 94/25/EC on recreational craft from 18 January 2016. However, Watercraft products within the Directive 94/25/EC, as amended by scope of Directive 2013/53/EU Directive 2003/44/EC, continues to (and Regulation 3(1) of S.I. apply to recreational craft, personal No. 65 of 2017), as amended: watercraft, components or ■ Recreational craft of hull length propulsion engines placed on the from 2.5 metres to 24 metres; EU market for the first time before ■ Personal watercraft of less than 18 January 2017. Directive 4 metres in hull length;
1 The EEA consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 180 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 181
7 ■ Partly completed watercraft, Appendices being a partly completed Anyone considering recreational craft or personal purchasing a watercraft watercraft; product should check for the ■ Components, when placed following: separately on the Union market (e.g. ignition-protected 1. in the case of a watercraft, equipment for inboard and stern that it is affixed with a drive petrol engines and petrol Watercraft Builder’s Plate tank spaces; starting-gear and that it has sufficient protection devices for outboard structure, stability and engines; steering wheels, buoyancy in accordance steering mechanisms and cable with its design category; assemblies; fuel tanks intended 2. that it is affixed with the CE for fixed installations and fuel marking; hoses; prefabricated hatches, and port lights); 3. in the case of a propulsion ■ Propulsion engines installed or engine, that it is marked specifically intended for with a Propulsion Engine installation in or on watercraft, or Identification and complies subject to major engine with other essential modification; requirements of the ■ Watercraft subject to major craft Directive, e.g. installation conversion. requirements; 4. in the case of an imported A boat owner who has bought a product, that it is labelled new boat or a used boat in a third with the importers contact country and returns the boat by details; whatever means to the EEA territory, and places that boat into 5. that it is identified by a type, service for the first time in the EEA, batch or serial number or will be subject to the requirements a Watercraft Identification of the Directive. Importers of Number (WIN); watercraft from third countries that 6. that it is accompanied by an place products on the EU market Owner’s Manual(s); and are obliged to mark the product with their name and address. 7. that it is accompanied by a Declaration.
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7 1 and 2: Watercraft A Watercraft Builder’s Plate should Builder’s Plate, CE Mark not be affixed to a partly completed and Design Category watercraft. In the case of post- Each watercraft must carry a construction assessment, the permanently affixed plate, contact details of the notified body preferably in the cockpit or near the that has carried out the conformity main steering position, containing assessment are included on the Appendices the following information: Builder’s Plate, in place of those of the manufacturer, and the words ■ Manufacturer’s name, registered ‘post-construction assessment’ are trade name or registered trade also included. mark, as well as contact address; ■ CE marking; All watercraft, designated ■ Watercraft design category components and propulsion (summarised in section 1.2.8 of engines are subject to CE marking, this Code): indicating that a product complies • A, B, C and/or D for with the relevant EU legislation. In recreational craft; the case of a watercraft, CE • C and/or D for personal marking must be affixed on the watercraft; Watercraft Builder’s Plate (mounted ■ Manufacturer’s maximum separately from the Watercraft recommended load; Identification Number). In the case ■ The number of persons of any other product, such as a recommended by the propulsion engine, the CE mark manufacturer for which the shall be affixed to the product, but watercraft was designed; in the case of a component where ■ Additional information depending that is not possible or warranted on on the type of watercraft: account of the size of the • If a recreational craft is component, it shall be affixed to the designed to be fitted with packaging and to the outboard propulsion engine(s), accompanying documentation. the maximum engine(s) power (kW); Each watercraft must have • If an inflatable recreational craft, sufficient structure, stability and the recommended working buoyancy in accordance with its pressure (Bar or psi); design category. The four • If a sail kit is provided with a watercraft design categories are recreational craft, the maximum summarized in section 1.2.8 of this sail area (m2 or ft2 ). Code.
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7 Appendices
Manufacturer’s name, registered trade ABC Boatyard name or registered trade mark
Manufacturer’s Address Manufacturer’s contact address
C Boat Design Category
Max. 4 Maximum persons capacity
Manufacturer’s recommended maximum load, including the mass of the outboard engine(s) but excluding the mass of the Max. + + = 620 kg contents of fixed fuel and water tanks when full
CE mark and notified body’s identification CEXXXX number (if applicable)
Example: Builder’s Plate with minimum information for craft powered by outboard engines.
3. Propulsion Engine ■ Engine type, engine family, if Requirements applicable; Every engine must be clearly and ■ A unique engine serial number; durably marked with the following ■ CE marking. information: ■ Engine manufacturer’s name, Every propulsion engine installed in registered trade name or or on watercraft must meet the registered trade mark, as well as applicable essential safety and contact address and, if environmental requirements as laid applicable, the name and contact down in Directive 2013/53/EU. Any address of the person adapting person who carries out a major the engine. This is not modification to a propulsion engine necessarily the address where must ensure that the modified the manufacturer is actually engine is in conformity with the established. This address can for Directive. example be that of the authorised representative or of To ensure safe handling the customer services; characteristics, a watercraft should 183 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 184
7 not be fitted with a propulsion IE Country code of the engine that is more powerful than manufacturer, i.e. where the maximum power for which the the craft was built; watercraft is designed and ABC Unique Code of the constructed. All tiller-controlled Manufacturer – assigned outboard propulsion engines must by the national authority of have an emergency stopping a Member State. In Ireland, Appendices device fitted. unique codes of the manufacturer are assigned 4. Importer’s Plate by the Marine Survey The plate must indicate the Office of the Department of importer’s name, registered trade Transport, Tourism and name or registered trade mark, as Sport; well as contact address, preferably 12345 Unique Serial Number in the cockpit or near the main assigned by the steering position, but not on the manufacturer; Watercraft Builder’s Plate. D Month of Manufacture (A = January, B = February, 5. Product Identification etc.); In the case of a propulsion engine, 16 Year of Manufacture a unique engine serial number (2016); must be permanently marked on 14 Model year (2014). the engine. In the case of a watercraft, a Watercraft 6. Owner’s Manual Identification Number (WIN) must Every product must have an be marked in two positions: Owner’s Manual. This must be in a language easily understood by the ■ watercraft exterior: top of end-user, which in Ireland is Irish or transom, starboard side, and English. It contains the instructions ■ watercraft interior: in a position and information essential to the that is not visible. safe use of the product, drawing particular attention to the set-up, The Watercraft Identification maintenance, regular operation of Number is unique to each craft. It is the product, prevention of risks and a code that identifies the risk management. It should also manufacturer, country of contain all the instructions and manufacture and date of manuals for any equipment fitted. construction, as follows: For propulsion engines, the IE ABC 12345 D 16 14 maximum rated engine power must be declared in the Owner’s Manual. 184 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 185
7 7. Declaration For more information contact: Appendices Each individual product must be accompanied by an EU Declaration Marine Survey Office of Conformity or, in the case of a Irish Maritime Administration partly completed watercraft, by a Department of Transport, Tourism Declaration by the manufacturer or and Sport the importer of the partly completed Leeson Lane watercraft. This is a legal document Dublin 2 signed by the manufacturer, or his D02 TR60 or her authorised representative, stating that the craft meets all the Telephone: + 353 (0)1 678 3400 requirements. This is an important Fax: + 353 (0)1 678 3409 document, particularly if the craft is Email: [email protected] to be used or taken into other Member States, as enforcement officials can ask to see it.
Directive 2013/53/EU does not apply to certain watercraft – see Article 2.2 of the Directive, Regulation 3(2) of S.I. No. 65 of 2017, as amended, and section 1.2.8 of this Code.
Please note that this advice is designed to provide basic guidance. It is not a complete authoritative statement of the law.
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8 Appendix 8 Passage Planning Template
Vessel Date
Appendices Route Distance/Time Weather Forecast
Tides HW LW Spring / Neap Draft
Use approved GMDSS communications systems. A mobile phone should not be relied on as the primary method of maritime communication.
VHF Channels
Safety Equipment Checklist completed by:
Number of Crew on Board Crew briefed on passage
Fuel Checked Fresh Water Food/Equipment
Charts and publications to be used for passage Insert the chart numbers and the relevant pages of the sailing directions and/or Almanac here:
Confirm route is marked on charts and agrees with this passage plan Y N
Any rocks, shallow areas, strong currents or other dangers on the route
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8 Appendices Contingency plans and safe places of refuge on the proposed route Note: Check tides and access for any alternative ports and bays. Ensure chart is on board.
Name and contact information of person/organisation ashore informed of the voyage details including estimated time of arrival or return. Name and signature of person I confirm that I have checked responsible for this passage this plan and am satisfied that it plan: is safe for the voyage to proceed:
The following table is used to give an indication of the proposed track the vessel will travel and should include the expected compass heading on each leg and the length of the leg. Positions can be in Latitude and Longitude or bearing and distance from a known mark or place. The remarks/description section should be used to give some information or advice on the waypoint or leg, i.e.: “should be able to see lighthouse”, “look for leading lights”, “stay well clear of cardinal mark”, etc. W/P Waypoint Remarks/ Distance Position Heading No Name Description (NM) ° ° ° ° ° ° °
Total Distance
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9 Appendix 9 List of Course Providers (see Appendix 10 for full contact details)
Chapter 2: • Irish Sailing Association
Appendices Sail and Motor Boats – Coastal • Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (Irish Operation Underwater Council)
• Irish Sailing Association Chapter 3: • Inland Waterways Association of Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Ireland Waterways • Comhairle Fo-Thuinn (Irish Underwater Council)
Chapter 4: • Irish Sailing Association Sailing Dinghies
Chapter 5: Personal Watercraft – Jet Skis and • Irish Sailing Association High Speed Power Boats
Chapter 6: • Irish Windsurfing Association Windsurfing and Stand-Up Paddle • Irish Surfing Association Boards
Chapter 7: • Canoeing Ireland Canoeing/Kayaking
Chapter 8: • Rowing Ireland Rowing Boats • Irish Coastal Rowing Federation
Chapter 9: International Certificate for • Irish Sailing Association Operators of Pleasure Craft
Chapter 11: • Contact the Marine Survey Office Emergency Procedures
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10 Appendix 10 Appendices Contact Details 10.1 Irish Maritime Administration contacts Website: www.dttas.ie Maritime Safety Policy Division Mercantile Marine Office (Dublin) Irish Maritime Administration Irish Maritime Administration Department of Transport, Tourism Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Sport Leeson Lane Leeson Lane Dublin 2 Dublin 2 D02 TR60 D02 TR60 Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3434 Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3480 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3409 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3489 Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Marine Survey Office Irish Coast Guard HQ (Ballyshannon) Irish Maritime Administration Department of Transport, Tourism Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Sport Town Council Building Leeson Lane Abbeyview Dublin 2 Ballyshannon D02 TR60 Co. Donegal F94 C44W Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3454 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3459 Telephone: +353 (0)71 982 2400 Email: [email protected] Fax: +353 (0)71 982 2439 Email: [email protected] Marine Survey Office (Dublin) Irish Maritime Administration Marine Survey Office (Cork) Department of Transport, Tourism Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Sport Leeson Lane Centre Park House Dublin 2 Centre Park Road D02 TR60 Cork T12 RKON Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3400 Telephone: +353 (0)21 496 8992 Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3409 Fax: +353 (0)21 496 8617 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 189 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 190
10 10.2 Contact Details for Commissioners of Irish Lights other organisations Harbour Road Dun Laoghaire Bord Iascaigh Mhara Co. Dublin P.O. Box No. 12 A96 H500 Crofton Road Telephone: +353 (0)1 271 5400 Dun Laoghaire Appendices Fax: +353 (0)1 271 5566 Co. Dublin Email: [email protected] A96 E5A0 Website: www.irishlights.ie Telephone: +353 (0)1 214 4100 Fax: +353 (0)1 284 1123 Inland Waterways Association of Email: [email protected] Ireland (IWAI) Website: www.bim.ie 2 Kylemore Park Taylor’s Hill Comhairle Fo-Thuinn Galway Irish Underwater Council H91 T22T 78A Patrick Street Telephone: +353 (0)91 589 333 Dun Laoghaire Lo-Call: 1890 924 991 Co. Dublin Email: [email protected] A96 HY45 Website: www.iwai.ie Telephone: +353 (0)1 284 4601 Fax: +353 (0)1 284 4602 Irish Canoe Union/Canoeing Email: [email protected] Ireland Website: www.diving.ie Irish Sport HQ National Sports Campus Commission for Blanchardstown Communications Regulation Dublin 15 (ComReg) D15 DY62 1 Dockland Central Telephone: +353 (0)1 625 1105 Guild Street Fax: +353 (0)1 625 1106 Dublin 1 Email: [email protected] D01 E4X0 Website: www.canoe.ie Telephone: Irish Coastal Rowing Federation Consumer: +353 (0)1 804 9668 Ltd Industry: +353 (0)1 804 9600 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.coastalrowing.net Website: www.comreg.ie
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10 Appendices Irish Sailing Association Irish Windsurfing Association 3 Park Road Email: [email protected] Dun Laoghaire Website: www.windsurfing.ie Co. Dublin A96 K3C3 Marine Casualty Investigation Telephone: +353 (0)1 280 0239 Board Email: [email protected] Leeson Lane Website: www.sailing.ie Dublin 2 D02 TR60 Irish Sea Kayaking Association Telephone: +353 (0)1 678 3485 Email: [email protected] +353 (0)1 678 3486 Website: www.iska.ie Fax: +353 (0)1 678 3493 Email: [email protected] Irish Surfing Association Website: www.mcib.ie Easkey Surf and Information Centre Met Éireann Headquarters Easkey 65/67 Glasnevin Hill Co. Sligo Dublin 9 F26 CX4K D09 Y921 Telephone: +353 (0)96 49 428 Telephone: +353 (0)1 806 4200 Fax: +353 (0)96 49 428 Fax: +353 (0)1 806 4247 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.irishsurfing.ie Website: www.met.ie/forecasts/sea-area.asp Irish Water Safety The Long Walk General Forecasting Division Galway (Met Éireann) H91 F602 Telephone: +353 (0)1 806 4255 Telephone: +353 (0)91 564 400 Fax: +353 (0)1 806 4275 Lo-Call: 1890 420 202 (24 Email: [email protected] Hours) Note: Provision of forecasts is Fax: +353 (0)91 564 700 subject to a fee Email: [email protected] Website: www.iws.ie
Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Email: [email protected] Website: www.irishwwf.ie
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10 Rowing Ireland Waterways Ireland National Rowing Centre The Inspector of Navigation Farran Wood Waterways Ireland Ovens The Docks Co. Cork Athlone P31 K704 Co. Westmeath N37 RW26
Appendices Telephone: +353 (0)21 743 4044 Fax: +353 (0)21 743 4045 Telephone: +353 (0)90 649 4232 Email: [email protected] Fax: +353 (0)90 649 4147 Website: www.rowingireland.ie Email: [email protected] Website: www.waterwaysireland.org Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Airside Swords Co. Dublin K67 WA24 Telephone: +353 (0)1 895 1800 Fax: +353 (0)1 890 0458 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rnli.org
Scouting Ireland (Head Office) Scouting Ireland Larch Hill Dublin 16 D16 P023 Telephone: +353 (0)1 495 6300 Fax: +353 (0)1 495 6301 Email: [email protected] Website: www.scouts.ie
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10 Appendices 10.3 Fishery Bodies IFI Dublin 3044 Lake Drive Inland Fisheries Ireland (HQ) Citywest Business Campus 3044 Lake Drive Dublin 24 Citywest Business Campus D24 Y265 Dublin 24 Telephone: +353 (0)1 278 7022 D24 Y265 Email: [email protected] Telephone: +353 (0)1 884 2600 Email: [email protected] IFI Galway Teach Breac IFI Ballina Earl’s Island Ardnaree House Galway Abbey Street H91 K6D2 Ballina Telephone: +353 (0)91 563 118 Co. Mayo Email: [email protected] F26 K029 Telephone: +353 (0)96 22 788 IFI Limerick Email: [email protected] Ashbourne Business Park Dock Road IFI Ballyshannon Limerick Station Road V94 NPEO Ballyshannon Telephone: +353 (0)61 300 238 Co. Donegal Email: [email protected] F94 WV76 Telephone: +353 (0)71 985 1435 IFI Macroom Email: Sunnyside House [email protected] Macroom Co. Cork IFI Clonmel P12 X602 Anglesea Street Telephone: +353 (0)26 41 222 Clonmel Email: [email protected] Co. Tipperary E91 RD25 Telephone: +353 (0)52 618 0055 Email: [email protected]
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11 Appendix 11 Glossary of Terms
AHC Ampere Hertz Capacity Appendices AIS Automatic Identification System
Class XII Boats Recreational craft greater than 13.7 m in length.
COLREGS The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, as amended.
ComReg Commission for Communications Regulation
COSPAS/SARSAT A satellite system to provide distress and alert information to Search and Rescue services.
CQR Pronounce “secure” – a plough anchor.
DSC Digital Selective Calling (part of GMDSS).
DTTAS Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GMDSS Sea Area A1 An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast radio station in which continuous DSC alerting is available (approx. 30 nautical miles from a coast station).
GMDSS Sea Area A2 An area, excluding Sea Area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast radio station in which continuous DSC alerting is available (approximately 150 nautical miles from a coast station).
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11 Appendices GMDSS Sea Area A3 An area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an INMARSAT geo-stationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available (approximately 70°N to 70°S).
GPS Global Positioning System – U.S. satellite navigation system.
HF High Frequency
HRU Hydrostatic Release Unit
IALA International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities
IMA Irish Maritime Administration
IMO International Maritime Organization – this is based in London and is the UN specialised maritime agency. It is responsible for maritime safety and prevention of pollution of the marine environment. It provides a forum for international co-operation on such issues as the regulation of international shipping and navigation efficiency.
INMARSAT Satellite communications.
Irish waters Includes the territorial seas, the waters on the landward side of the territorial seas, and the estuaries, rivers, lakes and other inland waters (whether or not artificially created or modified) of the State.
ISA Irish Sailing Association
IWS Irish Water Safety
LOA Length overall of vessel.
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11 LSA Life Saving Appliances
Marine Notice Information, advisory or guidance notices issued by the IMA.
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. It was adopted on 2 Appendices November 1973 at the IMO.
MED Marine Equipment Directive (Wheel mark)
MF Medium Frequency
MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MOB Man Overboard
MSO Marine Survey Office – a division of the IMA and DTTAS.
NAVTEX Marine Safety Information service, via dedicated telex receiver.
NRT Net Registered Tonnes
Partially Smooth Waters Areas of water specified as “partially smooth” in a Marine Notice.
PFD Personal Flotation Device
PLB Personal Locator Beacon
Pleasure Craft See recreational craft.
PWC Personal Watercraft (jet skis)
RCD Recreational Craft and Personal Watercraft Directive
Recreational Craft Vessels used for leisure or sport purposes. 196 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 197
11 Appendices RIB Rigid Inflatable Boat
RNLI Royal National Lifeboat Institution
SAR Search and Rescue services incorporating cliff, sea and air rescue.
SART Search and Rescue Radar Transponder
S.I. Statutory Instrument (Secondary Legislation)
Smooth Waters Areas of water specified as “smooth” in a Marine Notice.
SOLAS IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974, as amended. This Convention was one of the first international treaties of its kind. It was first formed and adopted in 1914 as a reaction to the Titanic disaster in 1912.
Statutory Requirements Irish legislation comprising of Acts and Statutory Instruments and incorporating national law, European Union Regulations and Directives, and obligations under various international maritime conventions.
SUP Stand-Up Paddle Board
To Sea All sea areas not defined as “smooth” or “partially smooth” water in a Marine Notice.
UCM Unique Code of the Manufacturer
VHF Very High Frequency
VTS Vessel Traffic Service
197 Appendices_fn_Layout 1 17/10/2017 17:06 Page 198 Notes
198 Code of Practice: Operation The Safe of Craft Recreational
Code of Practice: The Safe Operation of Recreational Craft 2017 Edition Recreational Craft_COVERS_Layout 1 17/10/2017 16:55 Page 1 Page 16:55 1 17/10/2017 Craft_COVERS_Layout Recreational