1.2.12 Radiocommunications

recreational craft are required to comply with any relevant bye-laws, in particular those in relation to:

Board of the MCIB (see Appendix 10 for contact details) of any incident which qualifies as a marine casualty immediately or as soon as is practicable after it occurs. An Incident Report Form is available on the MCIB website – www.mcib. ie. Where it is considered that an incident warrants it, an investigation will be instigated by the MCIB, and an Accident Investigator appointed.

▪Safety of navigation

▪Speed limits

▪Operating within channels

▪Buoyage

▪Mooring and berthing.

Details of bye-laws are available from the Harbour Masters Office and should be checked prior to using the port area.

The European Communities (Merchant Shipping) (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 276 of 2011), as amended by S.I. No. 444 of 2020 and S.I. No. 538 of 2022, set out the regulatory framework governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector. The purpose of the Regulations is to improve maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by ships, and so reduce the risk of future marine casualties. The Regulations designate the MCIB as the investigative body in Ireland to investigate marine casualties and accidents. See www.mcib.ie for further information.

1.2.12 Radiocommunications

The installation of marine band radio transmitting equipment on recreational craft is voluntary. However, it is recommended that all recreational craft carry at least one means of approved marine radiocommunications equipment in order to enable the initiation of a distress alert in the event of an emergency. See Appendix 2 for Guidance notes on Radiocommunications.

If marine radiocommunication equipment is voluntarily fitted or carried on any type of recreational craft, the vessel must be licensed in accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Acts. Licences are issued under the Wireless Telegraphy (Ship Station Radio Licence) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 414 of 2006). The responsibility for the licensing of radio communications equipment on Irish ships and the

1.2.11 Harbours Acts - Powers of Harbour Masters

Harbours Acts 1996 to 2015 and Fishery Harbour Centres Acts 1968 to 2015.

Under these Acts, Harbour Masters have the power to create bye-laws within the limits of their port areas. While the majority of shipping within such ports is of a commercial nature,