1.2.4 Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets

operational and communications capability through the Marine Rescue and Coordination Centre, Telephone +353 (0)1 662 0922 and/or email CoastGuardNMOC@ transport.gov.ie.

and reasonable with installations to ensure the storage of oil or oily mixtures on board. Their discharge into the sea is prohibited unless the craft is proceeding en route and the oil content of the effluent without dilution does not exceed 15 parts per million.

In addition, as a basic general principle, recreational craft that are at the end of their useful life should be disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

The National Maritime Oil/HNS Spill Contingency Plan covers pollution by oil or hazardous noxious substances, as defined in the Sea Pollution Act.

1.2.4 Wearing of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets

Under section 13 of the Sea Pollution Act 1991, as substituted by section 25 of the Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, it is a requirement to report a discharge of hazardous and noxious substances or a pollutant (oil, oily mixture, noxious liquid substance, harmful substance, sewage or garbage) or a likely discharge to the Irish Coast Guard (email CoastGuardNMOC@transport.gov.ie) or, if it occurred in a harbour, to the harbour master or person performing the functions of harbour master in relation to the harbour.

The term “personal flotation device” (PFD) covers all forms of lifejackets and buoyancy aids which, when correctly worn and used in water, will provide buoyancy and increase the likelihood of survival. Buoyancy aid clothing ensures a degree of buoyancy and support in the water while enabling the user to swim or take action to escape from danger.

A lifejacket is designed to prevent drowning and must be capable of returning the user to the surface as quickly as possible and of keeping the person afloat, permitting breathing while waiting for help.

If oil or hazardous and noxious substances are seen in the sea, the master of a vessel should report it to the Irish Coast Guard or, if such substances are seen inside harbour limits, to the harbour master or person performing the functions of the harbour master in relation to the harbour.

Legislative Requirements

▪Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation

Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of 2005), as amended by the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 349 of 2012) and the

To facilitate the making of a report, the Irish Coast Guard maintains 24/7