Merchant Shipping Act , 1992

PART I Preliminary and General

1. Short title, commencement, construction and collective citation.

(2)This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as, by order or orders made by the Minister under this section, may be fixed therefor either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions.

(3)This Act shall be construed as one with the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1983, and may be cited together therewith as the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1992.

2. Interpretation.

“authorised officer” means—

(a)any person authorised in writing by the Minister to exercise the powers conferred on an authorised officer by this Act,

(b)a person holding commissioned naval rank in the Permanent Defence Forces, while in uniform,

(c)a member of the Garda Síochána, while in uniform, or

F1[(d) as respects the harbour of which he or she is the harbour master or is in charge of, a person appointed to be such by one of the following, that is to say:

(i) a company within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1996;

(ii) the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in respect of a fishery harbour centre (within the meaning of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968);

(iii) a local authority (within the meaning of section 2 (as amended by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government Reform Act 2014 ) of the Local Government Act 2001);

(iv) Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail, in respect of Rosslare Harbour;]

“authorised person ” means a surveyor or a person authorised in writing by the Minister to carry out inspections of vessels for the purposes of Part III;

“certificate” means a passenger ship's certificate issued under section 8 and in force and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

F3["dangerous goods" means those goods referred to in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO by Resolution MSC.122(75) on 24 May 2002, and any amendments made to it up to and including those adopted by the 105th session of the Maritime Safety Committee by Resolution MSC.501(105) of 28 April 2022;]

F2[“fishing vessel”means a vessel designed, equipped or used commercially for catching or taking fish or other living resources of the sea (including the sea bed) or freshwater;]

“licence” means a passenger boat licence granted under section 15 and in force and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

“master”, in relation to a vessel, means the person having, for the time being, the command or charge of the vessel;

“the Minister” means the F4[Minister for Transport];

F3["offshore facility" means a structure, floating or fixed, used to support offshore industrial activities;]

F3["offshore industrial activities" mean the construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or servicing of offshore facilities including those related to exploration and exploitation of resources by the renewable or hydrocarbon energy sector, aquaculture, ocean mining or similar activities;]

F3["offshore service vessel" means a vessel carrying or accommodating more than 12 industrial personnel in relation to which an industrial personnel safety certificate has been issued undersection 48of theMerchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025(No. 2 of 2025), which certificate remains valid under Part 5 of the Act;]

“owner”, in relation to a vessel, means the person registered under the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955, as its owner or, if no person is so registered, the person who owns the vessel, and includes any part owner, charterer, manager or operator of the vessel;

“passenger” means any person carried on a vessel other than—

(a)the owner or a person to whom the vessel is on hire or a person employed or engaged in any capacity on board the vessel on the business of the vessel, or

(b)a person on board the vessel either in pursuance of the obligation laid upon the master of the vessel to carry shipwrecked, distressed or other persons or by reason of any circumstances that could not have been prevented or forestalled by the master or the owner of the vessel;

“passenger boat” means—

(a)a vessel carrying not more than 12 passengers for reward or having on board for the purposes of carriage for reward not more than 12 passengers, or

(b)a vessel that is carrying not more than 12 passengers, or has on board for the purposes of carriage not more than 12 passengers, and is on hire pursuant to a contract or other arrangement under which a crew or part of a crew is provided for the vessel by its owner,

and includes a vessel carrying not more than 12 persons to or from their place of work, or having on board not more than 12 persons for the purposes of such carriage, and owned by or on hire to their employer and a vessel registered outside the State and carrying not more than 12 passengers between places in the State, or having on board not more than 12 passengers for the purposes of such carriage, but does not include such a vessel carrying passengers to or from the State or having on board passengers for the purposes of such carriage, F5[…] F6[…] F7[a vessel in respect of which a certificate is in force or an offshore service vessel];

“passenger ship” means a vessel carrying more than 12 passengers or having on board more than 12 passengers for the purposes of carriage and includes a vessel carrying more than 12 persons to or from their place of work, or having on board more than 12 persons for the purposes of such carriage, and owned by or on hire to their employer and a vessel registered outside the State and carrying more than 12 passengers between places in the State, or having on board more than 12 passengers for the purposes of such carriage, but does not include such a vessel carrying passengers to or from the State or having passengers on board for the purposes of such carriage F3[or an offshore service vessel] F5[…] F6[…];

F8["personal watercraft" means a craft of less than 4 metres in length which uses an internal combustion engine having a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and which is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on, rather than within the confines of, a hull;]

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;

“the Principal Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894;

“radio surveyor” means a radio surveyor within the meaning of section 16 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952;

F3["recognised organisation" means an organisation recognised in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 391/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009^3on common rules and standards for ship inspections and survey organisations (Recast);]

“registered” means registered under the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1983;

“skipper”, in relation to a fishing vessel, means the person having for the time being the command or charge of the vessel;

“surveyor” means a person appointed under section 724 of the Principal Act to be a surveyor of ships for the purposes of that Act;

“vessel” includes any ship or boat and any other vessel used in navigation F8[and personal watercraft].

(2)In this Act—

(a)a reference to a Part or section is a reference to a Part or section of this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,

(b)a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended, and

(c)a reference to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended by or under any subsequent enactment including this Act.

3. Laying of regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.

4. Repeals.

(2)All instruments or documents (other than licences under section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, for pleasure boats or pleasure vessels to be used for carrying passengers for hire) made, issued or granted under a provision of the enactments repealed by this section and in force immediately before the commencement of the corresponding provision of this Act shall continue in force after such commencement as if made or issued under the said corresponding provision and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

5. Expenses.

PART II Passenger Ships

6. Annual survey.

(2)If, in respect of a vessel, there is a failure or refusal to comply with subsection (1), the owner of the vessel shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F10[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding F10[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

7. Mode of survey and declaration of survey for purposes of issue of passenger ship's certificate.

8. Issue of passenger ship's certificate.

(a)the limits (if any) beyond which the vessel shall not ply,

(b)the maximum number of passengers that the vessel shall carry (specifying, if necessary, the numbers to be carriedin different parts of the vessel) and any conditions and variations to which the number is subject.

(2)A certificate shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as the Minister may impose, at the time of the grant of the certificate or subsequently, and any such conditions or restrictions shall be specified in the certificate or in another document given or sent to the holder of the certificate by the Minister.

(3)A certificate shall, unless previously revoked or suspended, remain in force for one year or for such period, being less than one year, as may be specified in the certificate and shall then expire.

(4)Subject to the provisions of this section, a certificate shall be in such form as the Minister may determine.

(5)Notwithstanding anything contained in a declaration of survey, if the owner of the vessel concerned has been convicted of—

(a)an offence under subsection (6) (c), or

(b)any other offence that, in the opinion of the Minister, is of such a nature that, in the interests of safety, the person should not be the holder of a certificate in relation to the vessel,

the Minister may refuse to grant a certificate in relation to the vessel to the person.

(6)If in respect of a vessel there is a failure or refusal to comply with a condition, restriction or requirement specified in the certificate relating to it, the owner (or, if the vessel is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire) and the master shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F12[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment of an offence consisting of a failure or refusal to comply with a condition or restriction specified in the certificate, to a fine not exceeding F12[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both, or

(c)on conviction on indictment of an offence consisting of a failure or refusal to comply with a requirement specified in the certificate, to a fine not exceeding F12[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

9. Revocation and suspension of certificate.

(a)a declaration of survey on which a certificate was founded was in any material particular made erroneously,

(b)information furnished to the Minister in relation to the issue of a certificate was false or misleading in a material particular, or

(c)since the making of such a declaration as aforesaid, the hull, equipment or machinery of the vessel concerned has suffered any damage or the vessel has become unsuitable for the carriage of passengers or for the carriage of themaximum number of passengers specified in the certificate or for plying to the limits so specified,

he may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke the certificate.

(2)The Minister may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke or suspend a certificate if there is a failure or refusal to comply with a condition, restriction or requirement specified in the certificate.

F13[(2A) Where the Minister revokes or suspends a certificate in respect of a particular vessel, and is of opinion that it is in the interests of safety that the holder of the certificate should not be the holder of a certificate or licence in relation to other vessels, then the Minister may revoke or suspend any other certificate or licence held by the holder in relation to any other vessel.]

(3)If a certificate is suspended, the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, refuse to remove the suspension unless the vessel concerned has been surveyed and a declaration of survey in respect of it has been delivered to its owner since the suspension.

10. Display of certificate.

(2) (a)If, without reasonable cause, there is a contravention of subsection (1) in respect of a vessel, the owner of the vessel shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F14[€1,000].

(b)If a vessel is being used as a passenger ship and there is, without reasonable cause, a contravention of subsection (1) in respect of the vessel, the owner and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F14[€5,000].

11. False declaration of survey or certificate.

(2)A person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F15[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding F15[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

12. Uncertificated passenger ship.

(2)If in respect of a vessel there is a contravention of subsection (1), the owner and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F16[€5,000]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding F16[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

13. Insurance of passenger ships.

(2)Whenever a person enters into a contract of insurance for the purposes of subsection (1) with the owner or the hirer of a vessel, the person shall give to the owner or the hirer, as the case may be, a certificate in relation to the policy in such form and containing such particulars as may be prescribed and—

(a)the owner or the hirer, as the case may be, shall cause a copy of the certificate to be given or sent by registered post to the Minister, and

(b)the certificate or a copy thereof shall be displayed on the vessel while the vessel is in use as a passenger ship so as to be visible to and legible by all persons on board.

(3) (a)If in respect of a vessel there is a contravention of subsection (1), the owner of the vessel or, if the vessel is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(i)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F17[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(ii)on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding F17[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(b)If in respect of a vessel there is, without reasonable cause, a contravention of subsection (2) (a), the owner or, if the vessel is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F17[€2,000].

(c)If in respect of a vessel there is, without reasonable cause, a contravention of subsection (2) (b), the owner (or, if the vessel is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire) and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F17[€5,000].

PART III Passenger Boats

14. Prohibition of unlicensed passenger boats.

(2)If in respect of a vessel there is a contravention of subsection (1), the owner and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F18[€5,000]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding F18[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

F19[(3) Notwithstandingsubsection (2), in proceedings for an offence under this section it shall be a defence to prove that the contravention ofsubsection (1)was necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a vessel or of saving life or otherwise to prevent an accident.]

14A. F20[Exemptions from licensing requirements

14A.(1) The Minister may by regulations—

(a) exempt from the requirement to be licensed undersection 14, on such terms and conditions as the Minister sees fit, a specified class or classes of vessel where in the opinion of the Minister it is appropriate to do so having regard to the nature of the vessels and the use to which they are to be put, and

(b) in exceptional circumstances, exempt from the requirement to be licensed under section 14, on such terms and conditions as the Minister sees fit, any class of vessel carrying passengers between any inhabited island and the mainland of the State or between islands, where in the opinion of the Minister it is appropriate to do so.

(2) Regulations made undersubsection (1)may make provision for safety and other requirements to be met by unlicensed vessels.

(3) If, in respect of a vessel, there is a contravention of regulations made under this section, the owner and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceedingF21[€5,000]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceedingF21[€100,000]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.]

15. Passenger boat licences.

(a)the vessel is suitable, subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as he may specify, for use as a passenger boat, and

(b)if regulations under section 18 are in force, that it complies with the regulations.

(2)A licence shall contain requirements as to—

(a)the limits (if any) beyond which the vessel shall not ply, and

(b)the maximum number of persons that the vessel concerned is fit to carry.

(3)A licence shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as the Minister may impose, at the time of the grant of the licence or subsequently, and any such conditions or restrictions shall be specified in the licence or in another document given or sent to the holder of the licence by the Minister.

(4)Subject to the provisions of this section, a licence shall be in such form as the Minister may determine.

(5)A licence shall, unless previously revoked or suspended, remain in force for such period not exceeding 2 years as the Minister may determine and specify in the licence.

(6)Notwithstanding anything contained in a report for the purposes of subsection (1), if the owner of the vessel concerned has been convicted of—

(a)an offence under subsection (7) (c), or

(b)any other offence that, in the opinion of the Minister, is of such a nature that, in the interests of safety, the person should not be the holder of a licence in relation to the vessel,

the Minister may refuse to grant a licence in relation to the vessel to the person.

(7)If in respect of a vessel there is a failure or refusal to comply with a condition, restriction or requirement specified in the licence relating to it, the owner (or, if the vessel is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire) and the master shall each be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F22[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or

(b)on conviction on indictment of an offence consisting of a failure or refusal to comply with a condition or restriction specified in the licence, to a fine not exceeding F22[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both, or

(c)on conviction on indictment of an offence consisting of a failure or refusal to comply with a requirement specified in the licence, to a fine not exceeding F22[€100,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

16. Revocation and suspension of licences.

(a)the report of an authorised person furnished to the Minister for the purpose of the grant of a licence was in any material particular made erroneously,

(b)information furnished to the Minister in relation to the grant of a licence was false or misleading in a material particular, or

(c)since the furnishing of such a report as aforesaid to the Minister, the hull, equipment or machinery of the vessel concerned has suffered any damage or the vessel has become unsuitable for the carriage of passengers or for the carriage of the maximum number of passengers specified in the licence or for plying to the limits so specified,

he may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke the licence.

(2)The Minister may, if he considers it appropriate to do so, revoke or suspend a licence if there is a failure or refusal to comply with a condition, restriction or requirement specified in the licence.

F23[(2A) Where the Minister revokes or suspends a licence in respect of a particular vessel undersubsection (2), and is of opinion that it is in the interests of safety that the holder of the licence should not be the holder of a licence or certificate in relation to other vessels, then the Minister may revoke or suspend any other licence or certificate held by the holder in relation to any other vessel.]

(3)If a licence is suspended, the Minister may, if he so thinks fit, refuse to remove the suspension unless an authorised person has inspected the vessel concerned since the suspension and has stated in a report of the inspection to the Minister in writing that, in his opinion—

(a)the vessel is suitable, subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as he may specify, for use for hiring or for the carriage of passengers, and

(b)if regulations under section 18 are in force, it complies with the regulations.

17. Production of licences and marking of passenger boats.

(i)the licence in respect of the boat or a copy thereof, or

(ii)proof of compliance in relation to the boat with any regulations under section 18 (2) (d),or both and, if the master fails or refuses to do so forthwith, he shall be guilty of an offence unless, within 10 days after the date of the request, he produces the licence or copy or, as the case may be, the proof in person to an authorised officer at a place specified by the authorised officer at the time of the request or to a member of the Garda Síochána at a Garda Síochána station so specified.

(b)In a prosecution for an offence under this subsection, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown by the defendant, that he did not within 10 days after the date of the request concerned produce a licence or copy, or, as the case may be, the proof referred to in paragraph (a), in accordance with that paragraph.

(c)A person who, when the production of a licence or a copy of a licence or the proof aforesaid is requested of him under this section, does not produce the licence or copy or, as the case may be, the proof aforesaid because a licence was not in force at the time of the request in respect of the passenger boat concerned or does not produce such proof because of non-compliance in respect of the passenger boat concerned with regulations under section 18 (2) (d) shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (a), to fail to produce the licence or a copy thereof or, as the case may be, the proof aforesaid.

(2)A vessel shall not be used as a passenger boat unless there is painted on the outside of each side of the vessel above the waterline, in a colour contrasting with that of the outside of the vessel and in letters and figures that are not less than 3 centimetres in height and are formed by lines that are not less than one-half centimetre in width—

(a)the first name and the surname of the owner of the vessel, the serial number of the licence in relation to the vessel, and

(b)an indication, in the form “licensed to carry..........passengers” or in the form “ceadúnaithe chun..........paisinéirí a iompar”, that the vessel is the subject of a licence and of the maximum number of passengers whose carriage in the vessel is authorised by the licence.

(3) (a)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) (a) shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F24[€500].

(b)If in relation to a vessel there is a contravention of subsection (2), the owner and the master of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence and shall each be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F24[€2,000].

18. F25[Safety of passenger boats and their passengers and crews.

F26[18.— (1) The Minister may make regulations prescribing requirements and standards—

(a) for the design, construction, subdivision, maintenance, seaworthiness and stability, equipment, machinery and machinery installations, electrical installations, radio installations, accommodation, fire safety and protection, life-saving appliances, dangerous goods, transfer arrangements, safety management, safe navigation, radio and navigation systems and equipment, energy sources and propulsion systems and equipment and compliance with rules of recognised organisations in relation to passenger boats,

(b) for the carriage of passengers by passenger boat to offshore facilities or other ships facilitating offshore industrial activities, including training, medical fitness, health and safety and on-board familiarisation regarding safety, equipment, communications, manning and transfer arrangements,

(c) to ensure the safety of—

(i) passenger boats,

(ii) the passengers and the crew of passenger boats, and

(iii) other persons, and of property, from injury or damage caused by, resulting from or arising out of the use of passenger boats, and

(d) to ensure that the use of a passenger boat does not create a disturbance or constitute a nuisance.

(2) Without prejudice tosubsection (1), the regulations made undersubsection (1)may—

(a) prohibit the having on board or the carriage of passengers or other persons by vessels, or specified classes of vessels, the subject of licences unless there are in force policies of insurance under which the owners of the vessels or, if the vessels are on hire, the persons to whom they are on hire are insured to a specified extent against specified risks,

(b) make provision for ascertaining, setting and testing the standards of competence of masters and of any other members of the crew of vessels the subject of licences, whether by examination, interview or otherwise, and the prohibition of those who do not reach such standards of competence as the Minister considers appropriate from working as masters or, as the case may be, other members of the crews of such vessels and the prohibition of owners of such vessels from employing as masters or other members of the crews of the vessels those who do not reach such standards as aforesaid,

(c) provide for the registration of passenger boats or specified classes of passenger boats and the licensing or certification of masters or persons in control of or operating passenger boats or passenger boats of a specified class,

(d) regulate the use of passenger boats or specified classes of passenger boats by reference to the age or other qualifications of masters or persons in control of or operating passenger boats or passenger boats of a specified class,

(e) regulate or prohibit the use of passenger boats or specified classes of passenger boats in particular circumstances, and the consumption of alcohol or drugs by masters or persons in control of or operating passenger boats or passenger boats of a specified class,

(f) require and regulate the use of personal flotation devices on specified classes of passenger boats,

(g) regulate the carriage of vehicles on board a passenger boat or prohibit vehicles of a specified class being carried on board a passenger boat designed to carry vehicles,

(h) regulate or prohibit the carriage of goods or materials of a specified class on passenger boats or on passenger boats of a specified class,

(i) regulate the number of persons that may be carried on passenger boats of a specified class, or

(j) regulate or prohibit the towing of anything by or from passenger boats or passenger boats of a specified class.

(3) Regulations under this section may make provision for such consequential, incidental, ancillary and supplementary matters (including the enforcement of the regulations and, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, the charging of fees) as the Minister considers necessary or expedient.

(4) In making such regulations under this section the Minister may categorise passenger boats into different classes having regard to one or more of the following:

(a) the size, shape, speed, categorisation or configuration of a passenger boat;

(b) the service for which the passenger boat is to be employed;

(c) the plying limits, embarkation and disembarkation for a passenger boat;

(d) the nature and duration of voyages to be undertaken;

(e) the number of passengers, crew or other persons to be carried on board a passenger boat;

(f) the type of cargo carried, including dangerous goods;

(g) the age and date of construction of a passenger boat;

(h) such other matter or matters that the Minister considers appropriate to take into account in the circumstances.

(5) Different regulations may be made in respect of different classes of passenger boat, and for different circumstances and different areas of operation.

(6) In making such regulations under this section the Minister may determine the number of passengers, crew and other persons to be carried on board a passenger boat, depending on the class of passenger boat, subject to a maximum of 12 persons excluding crew members.

(7) Where there is a breach of a provision of regulations made under this section, which provision is stated in those regulations to be a penal provision—

(a) (other than in respect of a matter referred to insubsection (2)(a)), the owner and (if the passenger boat is in use) the master of the vessel each commits an offence and each is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine, or

(b) in respect of a matter referred to insubsection (2)(a), the owner of the passenger boat (or, if the passenger boat is on hire, the person to whom it is on hire) and the master of the vessel each commits an offence and each is liable—

(i) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both, or

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both.

(8) Regulations made under section 18 (inserted bysection 47of theMaritime Safety Act 2005) which are in force immediately before the commencement ofsection 52(3)(b) of theMerchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Act 2025shall continue in force as if they were made under this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.]]

PART IV Miscellaneous

19. F27[Safety of fishing vessels and their crews

19.—(1) The Minister may, by regulations, make such provision as the Minister thinks necessary or expedient for the purpose of ensuring—

(a) the safety of—

(i) fishing vessels,

(ii) the crews of fishing vessels, and

(iii) other persons, and of property, from injury or damage caused by, resulting from or arising out of the use of fishing vessels, or

(b) that the use of a fishing vessel does not create a disturbance or constitute a nuisance.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality ofsubsection (1), regulations under this section may—

(a) require fishing vessels or specified classes of fishing vessels to comply with specified standards of seaworthiness (including stability),

(b) require fishing vessels or specified classes of fishing vessels to comply with specified standards of construction and maintenance,

(c) require fishing vessels or specified classes of fishing vessels to carry one or more of the following, that is to say, specified life-saving, fire-fighting, radio and navigation equipment,

(d) make provision for periodic surveys of fishing vessels or specified classes of fishing vessels and their equipment and the prohibition of the use for fishing of fishing vessels that have not been surveyed in accordance with the regulations or that, following such a survey, are declared by the person who carried it out to be unsafe for use for fishing, angling in the sea or angling in fresh water, and for appeals against such declarations and against other findings of such surveys,

(e) make provision for ascertaining and testing the standards of competence of skippers and of any other members of the crews of fishing vessels or specified classes of fishing vessels, whether by examination, interview or otherwise, and the prohibition of those who do not reach such standards of competence as the Minister considers appropriate from working as skippers or, as the case may be, other members of the crews of such vessels and the prohibition of owners of such vessels from employing as skippers or other members of the crews of such vessels those who do not reach such standards as aforesaid,

(f) require and regulate the use of personal flotation devices on specified classes of fishing vessels, and

(g) regulate or prohibit the towing of anything (other than fishing nets) by or from fishing vessels or fishing vessels of a specified class.

(3) Regulations under this section may make provision for such consequential, incidental, ancillary and supplementary matters (including the enforcement of the regulations and, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the charging of fees by the Minister) as the Minister considers necessary or expedient.

F28[(3A) In making regulations under this section the Minister may categorise fishing vessels into different classes having regard to one or more of the following, where appropriate:

(a) the size, shape, speed or configuration of such vessels;

(b) the service for which such vessels are to be employed;

(c) the nature and duration of voyages to be undertaken;

(d) the number of persons that such vessels are designed to carry on board;

(e) such other matter or matters that the Minister considers appropriate to take into account in the circumstances.]

(4) Different provision may be made in regulations under this section for different classes of fishing vessels.

F29[(5) If in respect of a fishing vessel there is a contravention of a regulation under this section—

(a) (other than in respect of a matter referred to insubsection (2)(f)), the owner and (if the vessel is in use) the master of the vessel each commits an offence and each is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine, or

(b) in respect of a matter referred to insubsection (2)(f)—

(i) the owner and (if the vessel is in use) the master of the vessel, and

(ii) where the person contravening the regulation is not the owner or master of the vessel, that person, each commits an offence and each is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.]]

20. F30[Safety of pleasure craft and their occupants.

20.—(1) The Minister may, by regulations, make such provision as he or she thinks necessary or expedient for the purpose of ensuring—

(a) the safety of—

(i) pleasure craft,

(ii) the occupants of pleasure craft, and

(iii) other persons, and of property, from injury or damage caused by, resulting from or arising out of the use of pleasure craft, or

(b) that the use of a pleasure craft does not create a disturbance or constitute a nuisance.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality ofsubsection (1), regulations undersubsection (1)may—

(a) require pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft to comply with specified standards of seaworthiness (including stability),

(b) require pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft to comply with specified standards of construction and maintenance,

(c) require pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft to carry specified life-saving, fire-fighting, radio and navigation equipment,

(d) make provision for periodic survey of specified classes of pleasure craft and their appliances and equipment and the prohibition of the use of specified classes of pleasure craft that have not been surveyed in accordance with the regulations or that, following such a survey, are declared by the person who carried it out to be unsafe for use and for appeals against such declarations or against other findings of such surveys,

(e) provide for the registration of specified classes of pleasure craft and the licensing or certification of masters or persons in control of or operating pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft,

(f) regulate the use of pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft by reference to the age or other qualifications of masters or persons in control of or operating pleasure craft or pleasure craft of a specified class,

(g) regulate or prohibit the use of pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft in particular circumstances, and the consumption of alcohol or drugs by masters or persons in control of or operating pleasure craft or pleasure craft of a specified class,

(h) prohibit the use of pleasure craft or specified classes of pleasure craft unless there are in force policies of insurance under which the owners of the pleasure craft or, if the pleasure craft are on hire, the persons to whom they are on hire are insured to a specified extent against specified risks relating to the use of the pleasure craft,

(i) require and regulate the use of personal flotation devices on specified classes of pleasure craft,

(j) regulate the number of persons that may be carried on pleasure craft of a specified class, and

(k) regulate or prohibit the towing of anything by or from pleasure craft or pleasure craft of a specified class.

(3) Regulations under this section may make provision for such consequential, incidental, ancillary and supplementary matters (including the enforcement of the regulations and, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, the charging of fees by the Minister) as the Minister considers necessary or expedient.

F31[(3A) In making regulations under this section the Minister may categorise pleasure craft into different classes having regard to one or more of the following, where appropriate:

(a) the size, shape, speed or configuration of such craft;

(b) the service for which such craft are to be employed;

(c) the nature and duration of voyages to be undertaken;

(d) the number of persons, that such craft are designed to carry on board;

(e) such other matter or matters that the Minister considers appropriate to take into account in the circumstances.]

(4) Different provision may be made in regulations under this section for different classes of pleasure craft or persons on or using pleasure craft.

F32[(5) If in respect of a pleasure craft there is a contravention of a regulation under this section—

(a) the owner and (if the craft is in use) the master of the craft, and

(b) where the person contravening the regulation is not the owner or master of the craft, that person, each commits an offence and each is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.]

(6) In this section ‘pleasure craft’ means vessels used otherwise than for profit and used wholly or mainly for sport or recreation but includes mechanically propelled vessels that are on hire pursuant to contracts or other arrangements that do not require the owners of the vessels to provide crews or parts of crews for them.]

21. Appeal to District Court.

(a)a declaration in a declaration of survey,

(b)the refusal by a surveyor of ships or a radio surveyor to deliver a declaration of survey to the owner in respect of the vessel,

(c)the revocation or suspension of a certificate in respect of the vessel by the Minister,

(d)the refusal by the Minister to grant a certificate or a licence in respect of the vessel,

(e)a condition, restriction or requirement specified in a certificate or licence, or

(f)the revocation or suspension of a licence in respect of the vessel by the Minister.

(2)The jurisdiction conferred on the District Court by this section shall be exercised by the judges for the time being assigned to the district court district in which the vessel concerned is lying or where the owner concerned ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation.

22. Forfeiture.

(2)Whenever an order is made under this section, an authorised officer may, for the purpose of giving effect thereto—

(a)seize and detain the vessel concerned, and

(b)do such other things as are authorised by the order or are necessary for the purpose aforesaid.

23. Conduct endangering vessels, structures or individuals.

24. Drunkeness, etc., of passengers or members of crew.

25. Powers of authorised officers.

(a)inspect and examine the vessel,

(b)inspect and take copies of, or of extracts from, the vessel's log (if any) and the vessel's manifest (if any) and any other records or documents pertaining to the vessel or its owner found on the vessel.

(2)An authorised officer may, for the purposes of his functions under this Act or regulations thereunder, stop a vessel and request any member of the crew of the vessel to furnish him with such information, and to produce to him such records and documents in his possession or within his procurement, as he may reasonably require for the purpose of such functions.

(3)A person who obstructs or interferes with an authorised officer in the exercise of his functions under this Act or who fails or refuses to comply with a request of an authorised officer under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F35[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

26. Power to detain certain vessels.

(2)Where a vessel is found by a detaining officer (within the meaning aforesaid) anywhere in the State and the vessel is a vessel to which, in the opinion of the officer, the said section 459 applies, the officer may detain the vessel at the place where it is found or take it to the nearest convenient port or other place (including a port or other place on a river or lake) and detain it there.

27. F36[Fixed payment notice.

27.—F37[(1) The Minister may prescribe that this section applies to a contravention or a contravention in particular circumstances of a regulation made undersection 18(other than in respect of a matter referred to insubsection (2)(d)),19or20.]

(2) Where an authorised officer has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is committing or has committed an offence underF38[section 18(5)(a),19(5)or20(5)in relation to a contravention of regulations made undersection 18,19or20]to which this section applies or under section 33 (3) or 34 (2) of the Maritime Safety Act 2005 he or she may serve on the person a notice in the prescribed form or in a form to like effect stating that—

(a) the person is alleged to have committed the offence in respect of the contravention,

(b) the person may during the period of 21 days beginning on the date of the notice make to the organisation specified at the address specified in the notice a payment of €150, or such other amount prescribed undersubsection (5), accompanied by the notice, and

(c) a prosecution in respect of the alleged offence will not be instituted during the period specified in the notice and, if the payment specified in the notice is made during that period, no prosecution in respect of the alleged offence will be instituted.

(3) Where notice is given undersubsection (2)—

(a) a person to whom the notice applies may, during the period specified in the notice, make to the organisation specified at the address specified in the notice the payment specified in the notice accompanied by the notice,

(b) the organisation specified may receive the payment, issue a receipt for it and retain the money so paid, and any payment so received shall not be recoverable in any circumstances by the person who made it,

(c) a prosecution in respect of the alleged offence shall not be instituted in the period specified in the notice, and if the payment so specified is made during that period, no prosecution in respect of the alleged offence shall be instituted.

(4) In a prosecution for an offence under section 18, 19 or 20 or section 33 (3) or 34(2) of the Maritime Safety Act 2005 the onus of proving that a payment pursuant to a notice under this section has been made lies on the defendant.

(5) The Minister may prescribe another amount, or different amounts in respect of different contraventions or different classes of vessels, in lieu of the amount specified in subsection (2)(b).

(6) In this section ‘organisation’ means the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources or such other person as specified in a notice issued under this section.]

28. Amendment of Merchant Shipping Act, 1947.

(2)An order made under subsection (1) of the said section 7 and in force immediately before the commencement of this section shall continue in force as if made under the said section 7 as amended by this section and may be amended or revoked accordingly.

29. Amendment of Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952.

30. Information.

(2)The Minister may refuse to issue a certificate or grant a licence if the owner of the vessel concerned contravenes subsection (1).

(3)A person who, pursuant to a requirement under this Act, furnishes information to the Minister that is to his knowledge false or misleading in a material particular shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F40[€5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

31. Fees.

(b)There shall be paid to a surveyor and a radio surveyor by the owner of the vessel concerned in respect of a survey for the purposes of Part II a fee of such amount as may be prescribed with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(c)There shall be paid to an authorised person by the owner of the vessel concerned in respect of an inspection by the authorised person for the purposes of Part III a fee of such amount as may be prescribed with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(d)Fees of different amounts may be prescribed under this section in respect of the issue of certificates for, and surveys of, vessels of different sizes for the purposes of Part II and in respect of the grant of licences for, and inspections of, vessels of different classes for the purposes of Part III.

(2)The Minister may refuse to issue a certificate or grant a licence if the appropriate fee in respect of the issue or grant and the appropriate fee in respect of the relevant survey or inspection has not been paid.

(3)A fee payable under this section may be recovered by the person to whom it is payable from the person by whom it is payable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(4)The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879, shall not apply in relation to a fee under this section.

32. Provisions in relation to prosecutions.

(2)In a prosecution for an offence under Part III, if it is proved that on the occasion concerned passengers were being carried on a vessel or were on board the vessel for the purposes of carriage, it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved that the carriage concerned was for reward.

(3)Proceedings for a summary offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister.

33. F42[Power or function may be exercised by a statutory authority or body.

33.—F43[…]]

34. F44[Provisions relating to certain offences under regulations made under section 18, 19 or 20.

34.—F45[…]]

35. F46[Careless navigation or operation of vessels.

35.—F47[…]]

36. F48[Dangerous navigation or operation of vessels.

36.—F49[…]]

37. F50[Recovery of cost of Minister.

37.—F51[…]]