Owners and users of a range of pleasure and recreational craft in Irish waters are reminded to keep up to date with the Code of Practice for their safe operation.
The Code highlights the importance of personal responsibility for all those who take to the water.
Each person must take maritime safety seriously, prepare and plan for a safe trip, behave responsibly on the water and be properly equipped so as to be able to respond to any incidents that may arise.
The Code is intended for use by owners, operators and users of all pleasure and recreational craft operating in Irish coastal and inland waters and certain Irish vessels operating offshore, including:
- Sail and motor boats
- Sailing dinghies
- Personal watercraft (eg jet skis)
- Powerboats
- Canoes and kayaks
- Rowing boats
- Charter boats
- Ski boats and dive boats
- Windsurfers, stand-up paddleboard users and other non-powered craft
It contains information on legislative requirements, safe operation and advice on best practice when using a recreational craft.
The Code of Practice was most recently updated in late 2019. The free document is available to download from Gov.ie but hardcopies can be obtained on request, in both English and Irish, from the Maritime Safety Policy Division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport at [email protected]
For more details on the Code, see Marine Notice No 27 of 2020, a PDF of which is attached below.
