1.5.2 1 Recreational craft of 13.7 metres in length and greater

1.5.1.3 Class XII recreational craft constructed before 1 July 1986

its date of construction, the Rules impose similar requirements.

Legislation

Relevant Legislation:

Safety Equipment requirements are broadly similar to those outlined in sections 1.5.1.1 and 1.5.1.2. Specific details can be obtained from the Department of Transport or by reading the Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules 1983 (S.I. No. 302 of 1983).

• Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules 1967 (S.I. No. 101 of 1967) apply to craft built before 1980

• Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) (Post 1980 Ships) Rules 1983 (S.I. No. 303 of 1983) apply to craft built between 1980 and 1984

1.5.1.4 Recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length

• Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) (Post 1980 Ships) (Amendment) Rules 1985 (S.I. No. 278 of 1985) apply to craft built on or after 1 September 1984.

There are no statutory lifesaving appliance requirements for recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length apart from the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of 2005), as amended. However, it is strongly recommended that such vessels carry at least a minimum standard of life saving equipment. Guidance on this is given in Part B of this Code.

1.5.2.1 Recreational craft of 13.7 metres in length and greater

See Table D, which lists the different fire fighting equipment and indicates what is required, depending on the size of the craft.

1.5.2 Fire-Fighting Equipment

The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Rules 2023 (S.I. No. 379 of 2023) contain requirements in relation to ship construction, fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction and apply to certain larger recreational craft built on or after 1 September 1984.

Applicable legislation:

▪Merchant Shipping Fire Appliances

Rules.

The term “Fire Appliances” refers to items of fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses and pumps, etc.

While there are different sets of Rules which may apply to a recreational craft depending on

Table D: Mandatory Fire Fighting Equipment

Equipment Item	Boats 13.7 - 15 metres in length	Boats 15 – less than 21.34 metres in length and less than 150 tonnes	Boats of 21.34 metres in length and greater
Fire Extinguishers
2 fri e extinguishers or fire buckets (one with lanyard)	✓	✓
3 fri e extinguishers or fire buckets (one with lanyard)			✓
2 fri e extinguishers suitable for use on oil fires, for boats with internal combustion engines fitet d	✓	✓	✓
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 fri e 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.