15-05-2025
MCIB calls for review of effectiveness of life jacket rules
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has recommended that the Minister for Transport reviews the effectiveness of rules relating to the mandatory wearing of life jackets.
The Board said regulations in relation to the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) are being routinely flouted.
The call is contained in a report into the death of a fisherman in Galway Bay, in August 2023, which has been published today.
The MCIB said the casualty went overboard from the Lady Pexia, while he was returning from a fishing trip on 25 August.
He was reported missing by the vessel's skipper, who noticed he was no longer on board, as the boat returned to shore.
The investigation said that the deceased was not wearing a personal flotation device when he was recovered from the water by a Coast Guard rescue helicopter.
The man was taken to University Hospital Galway where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination found that he drowned.
The report concludes that the consumption of alcohol was a "significant contributing factor to the incident" and that it "likely impaired judgement, leading to risky decisions, such as [the casualty] removing his PFD and engaging in unsupervised activities".
Inspectors said that despite clear legislative provisions and repeated warnings, instances of non-compliance with PFDs persist.
They question the impact of existing laws and suggest there may be a need to improve enforcement by means of prosecutions, in the manner that applies to breaches of road traffic laws.
The report also found that while the deceased had worn his PFD at times during the fishing excursion, it was not functioning properly and was ineffective as a flotation aid.
The MCIB said that apart from the PFD worn by the Skipper, there were no other functioning life jackets on the boat.
The report said this "appears to be a breach of Applicable safety regulations" but goes on to say this is a matter for the prosecuting authorities.
