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The Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Craft)
(Lifejackets and Operation) (Safety) Regulations came into force on the 3rd
of June 2004, under SI No 259 of 2004 and a full copy can be obtained from
the Department website if required.
There are three areas covered: Use of
lifejackets and personal flotation devices, consumption of alcohol or
drugs and age limits.
- Lifejackets
or personal flotation devices must be carried on all pleasure
craft regardless of size.
- Everyone
on board a pleasure craft of less that 7 metres (23 feet) must wear
a lifejacket or personal flotation device while on board if an open
craft, or on deck if a decked craft.
This does not apply when the craft is secured to the shore or
at anchor.
- Lifejackets
or personal flotation devices must be worn by those up to age
16 on all open pleasure craft or on deck in the case of decked craft.
- Lifejackets
or personal flotation devices must be worn by anyone being
towed by a pleasure craft or on board a vessel or object being towed
by a craft.
- Every
person on a personal watercraft, or being towed by a personal
watercraft must wear a lifejackets or personal flotation device.
- Manually
propelled craft involved in Olympic style rowing or in events
recognised by the Irish Amateur Rowing Union are exempt from the
regulations regarding lifejackets and personal floatation devices.
- No
one must operate a pleasure craft while under the influence of drink
or drugs to such extent as to be incapable of having proper control of
the craft.
- The
consumption of drink or drugs on board must be controlled so that it
does not affect safety or cause a disturbance.
- Consumption
of alcohol or drugs is prohibited by anyone being towed or on a vessel
or object being towed by a pleasure craft.
- No
one under age 16 may operate a fast powered craft (any craft capable
of attaining speeds of 17 knots or over)
- No
one under age 12 may operate any craft with power of over 5 horsepower
or 3.7 kilowatt.
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