Maritime Safety Act 2005: Guidance Note for Local Authorities

The Maritime Safety Act 2005 aims, amongst other things, to enhance public safety and amenity by strengthening the law against improper use of certain personal watercraft and recreational craft and by promoting good practice in the operation of vessels generally.

Section 6 in Part 2 of the Act allows local authorities, harbour authorities and Waterways Ireland to make bye-laws to regulate or control the operation of craft or specified classes of craft in waters in their functional areas. The prohibition or restriction of such craft may be in the interests of the safety of persons, for the prevention of nuisance or injury to persons or damage to watercraft or other property on the waters, or to protect natural heritage areas and protected monuments.

A Guidance Note for Local Authorities on the powers available to regulate craft such as fast powercraft and personal watercraft is available to view or download below.

The purpose of the guidance is to assist local and other authorities in the proper management of water resources through the introduction of bye-laws under the 2005 Act which would deal with all aspects of the local use of mechanically powered recreational craft. The guidance also contains information on issues relating to the design, implementation and management of such bye-laws, while recognising that the conditions and issues can vary in different parts of the country.

Maritime Safety Act 2005