IRISH COMMUNICATION
LEGISLATION
Under Irish legislation, an appropriate personal In coastal waters, a VHF radio set provides A mobile phone with a waterproof case may
flotation device (lifejacket or buoyancy aid) the most reliable means of making immediate be useful on a PWC or small dinghy but should
must be carried for everyone onboard contact with the Coastguard and alerting other not be relied on in emergencies. It may let you
all vessels. vessels if there is an emergency. down with a poor signal and it will not give the
rescue services your position. Other vessels in
If the craft is less than 7m in length, personal • You must know how to operate your VHF
the vicinity will not hear your call either.
flotation devices must be worn at all times radio. The RYA administers the Short Range
A hand-held VHF radio is a better option.
on an open vessel or on deck on a vessel with Certificate (SRC) 1-day course including
(See the What to do in an emergency section
accommodation. Irrespective of the size of routine, safety, urgency and distress
on page 31.)
the vessel, anyone under the age of 16 years communications and radio voice procedures
must wear a personal flotation device at all and techniques. The Department of Transport Personal locator beacons (PLBs) and emergency
times on an open boat or on deck if the vessel in the Republic of Ireland runs a 2-day course position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)
has accommodation. Appropriate personal (see Useful contacts section page 38). are becoming increasingly popular. They use
flotation devices are also required when being • Most new VHF radios will be equipped with a frequency of 406MHz and come with or
towed or if skiing behind a powered craft. digital selective calling (DSC) allowing a without a built-in GPS receiver. When set off,
The legislation does not require the wearing distress alert to be transmitted to the rescue the PLB or EPIRB sends an identifiable signal
of personal flotation devices when a vessel services at the touch of a button. If your VHF via satellite to the emergency services. Your
is moored alongside or at anchor, or if those radio is interfaced with a GPS set it will also position may either be calculated by
aboard are swimming from the vessel for give your position. low-earth orbit satellites or immediately
recreation. • If you use a waterproof hand-held VHF, check indicated by the built-in GPS. These devices
the batteries and always carry a set of spares. must be registered with the Coastguard.
• Make sure everything is working before you For more information see the CD-ROM.
leave by doing a radio check with a marina,
harbour master or coastguard.
In an emergency, dial 999 or 112 and ask
for the Coastguard. The service is free – the
Coastguard is always there to help.
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