Maritime Safety

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Questions (368)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

368. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns from harbour authorities that sunken or poorly maintained inshore fishing vessels pose a risk to commercial shipping lanes, particularly where vessels have sunk or could sink in dredged channels; the protocols which apply for ensuring such vessels are insured and recoverable; and the person or body which ultimately bears the cost of ownership is disputed or obscured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6593/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my department is aware of such concerns from a harbour authority. Small inshore fishing vessels are required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Equipment and Operation of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall published by my department (updated in 2022). The Code of Practice in paragraph 1.1.15 recommends that such vessels should hold insurance including in relation to pollution incidents and salvage.

The www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1993/act/34/section/41/enacted/en/index.html is the principal Irish legislation governing salvage and wreck. The Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of the various participants in salvage and wreck situations, including owner responsibilities. Section 41 of the Act provides the Minister with the powers to appoint a Receiver of the Wreck to perform the functions of receiver of wreck under this Act. Section 49 of the Act provides of the disposal of an unclaimed wreck after one year after coming into the possession of the Receiver of the Wreck.