Marine rescue and leisure industry representatives have welcomed the review of safety on watercraft which the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources says he intends to commission.
Precise terms of reference have still to be drawn up by the Department, but Mr Ahern has said that he wants to focus on licensing, enforcement and increased public awareness. The initiative comes a fortnight after the loss of five people off the Co Wexford coast when a sea angling vessel, the Pisces, sank. None of the 10 on board was wearing a lifejacket.
Incidents at sea involving pleasure craft have increased over the last few years - up 12.8 per cent last year, according to Irish Coast Guard statistics.
The Minister noted that the Dublin helicopter had conducted 56 missions and rescued or assisted 51 people, while the Waterford helicopter had carried out nine missions, rescuing or assisting three people, since May.
Mr Paddy Boyd, chief executive of the Irish Sailing Association, said Mr Ahern's initiative would provide an opportunity to produce one comprehensive piece of legislation, although his organisation had long held that legislation was not the only answer. "It has to be a combination of legislation, education, policy and enforcement," he said.
The results of a poll on compulsory use of lifejackets at sea is due to be published this week in Afloat magazine and is currently running at 71 per cent in favour on the magazine's website, www.afloat.ie
The Irish Water Safety Association is due to host a public demonstration on safety on water at Tramore, Co Waterford, on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m.
As part of the demonstration, Irish Water Safety-trained lifeguards, employed by local authorities, will effect simulated recoveries of swimmers in difficulties.
The association reminds all water-users to wear a lifejacket at all times, check the weather forecast for the area and check the condition of boat and equipment.