The Marine Casualty Investigation Board published its report on the fatal incident involving the Kilkee Irish Coast Guard rigid inflatable boat, on September 12, 2016. Three crewmembers were thrown into the water, one was picked up, another was rescued by the SAR rescue helicopter and the third one was recovered by a SAR rescue helicopter.
The ITF informed that the Irish government has committed to bring in new measures to protect migrant workers in the country’s fishing industry. The ITF was concerned about the exploitation of workers from Africa and Asia in Ireland’s fishing industry. Non-European workers will no longer be tied to individual employers, and will be free to leave a boat for other work if they experience exploitation or abusive conditions without fear of deportation.
Irish Ferries announced it has taken the first step in the legal process over National Transport Authority’s decision, relating to the cancellations that arose last year resulting from the delayed delivery of the company’s new W.B. Yeats ship.
Four United Nations human rights officials have strongly criticised the British Government’s scheme governing protection and labour rights for migrant fishermen from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The letter focuses on modern forms of racism, slavery and on trafficking in persons.
Partners in the Total-operated Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL) 2/19, that contains the Avalon prospect offshore Ireland, have licensed multi-client 3D seismic data in an effort to look for possible exploration well locations.
On 30 January, EU Coreper approved a mandate, aiming to enable the presidency to start negotiations with the Parliament on a proposal to ensure new maritime connections between Ireland and the other EU countries on the North Sea-Mediterranean network in case of a no-deal Brexit.
The European Investment Bank will provide EUR 155 million to finance two new passenger and vehicle ships for the ICG subsidiary Irish Ferries. The two ferries will increase passenger and cargo capacity on routes to Ireland, replace older and smaller vessels and reduce emissions from the Irish Ferries fleet. The new ferries will be used on both the Dublin-Holyhead and Dublin-Cherbourg routes.
A seafarer was killed while lashing and securing containers onboard the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged container ship ‘Francop’, in the port of Dublin, Ireland, on 14 November. Dennis Gomez Regana, from the Philippines, died after a container struck him at Southbank Quay, when he was doing lashing work while container lifting operations were underway, ITF informed.
Ireland’s Marine Casualty Investigation Board issued an accident report on a fatal incident onboard the RoRo ferry ‘European Endeavour’. While the ferry was loading the vehicular cargo, on 22nd June 2017, in Dublin, one of the crew was found unconscious at the rear of a trailer. After unsuccessful resuscitation attempts, he was declared dead.
Ahead of Brexit and the uncertainties that come with it, especially regarding the content of a possible withdrawal agreement, Ireland reminded operators of maritime transport services are reminded of the legal repercussions, which need to be considered when the UK leaves the EU.
