Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices

Personal Flotation Devices - Wear a PFD/Lifejacket - It's the LAW!

The current legislation on the mandatory wearing of lifejackets/personal flotation devices is the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of 2005) as amended by Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 349 of 2012) and further amended by S.I. 400 of 2018.

These regulations govern the operation of pleasure craft including personal watercraft. They include provisions relating to age restrictions, the carriage and use of lifejackets and restrictions on the use of alcohol and drugs.

Personal Flotation Devices and Fishing Vessels

S.I .No. 586 of 2001 requires all crew members of a fishing vessel to wear a personal flotation device at all times when on the deck of any fishing vessel or boat regardless of its size, whether at sea, in harbour or coming to and from moorings. S.I. No. 401 of 2018 amends S.I. No. 586 of 2001, to update the criteria for the marked personal flotation device in these regulations.

Fishing Vessel (Personal Flotation Devices) Regulations, S.I. 586 of 2001 as amended by S.I. 401 of 2018.