Marine Notice No. 27 of 2020

Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft 

Notice to all Masters, Owners and Users of Pleasure and Recreational Craft.

This Marine Notice supersedes Marine Notice No. 26 of 2019

See full Marine Notice HERE.

Particular attention   is   drawn   to   the   following Checklist   of   Basic Requirements  and  Advice, which  all  owners  and  users  of  recreational craft should be aware of before taking to the water:

• the legal requirements in relation to the wearing and carrying of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets and the need for the proper care and maintenance of such devices.  These requirements are dealt with in Part A of the Code of Practice;
• the need to check current weather forecasts and sea conditions prior to departure and to plan your voyage accordingly (see Appendix 6 (Weather, Sea States and Tides) and Appendix 8 of the Code of Practice for an example of a passage planning template);
• Pre-Departure Safety Checks and Briefing–the briefing of all persons on board on emergency procedures and the location and use of safety/emergency equipment on board, e.g. flares, radio equipment, life jackets;
• the need to ensure that a designated person ashore is aware of your departure and return times, where you are going, and have a procedure in place to raise the alarm if necessary;
• the importance of having a dependable means of communication.  VHF radio equipment is the recommended method of communication and craft users should be familiar with its use.  Where mobile phone use is proposed, the phone should at all times be fully charged and stowed in a waterproof pouch with a lanyard, the signal strength and charge indicator should be regularly checked while the vessel is underway;
• when operating a pleasure craft, a person must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the craft;
• in a marine emergency, the alarm can be raised on VHF Channel 16 or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.