Information from the Marine Survey Office regarding COVID-19
Marine Survey Office
The following questions were raised by charter skipper Eamon McGrattan at the Marine Survey Office on 23rd March 2020, see below the answers and link to the Marine Notice
Marine Notice No. 15 of 2020 issued 23/03/2020
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/71796/1365aead959e4b9498f5578c1f28c920.pdf#page=1
The following questions were raised by charter skipper Eamon McGrattan at the Marine Survey Office on 23rd March 2020, see below the answers and link to the Marine Notice
- Can licenced boats continue to operate normally as per their licence ?
Only essential services in accordance with Government Covid-19 & HSE requirements / restrictions etc should operate. - Can licenced boats continue to operate with a restricted number of passengers and / or duration ?
As above - Should we cease to operate and cancel bookings ?
As above – the MSO cannot advise you on commercial aspects - Boats are involved in a wide variety of work including film, sightseeing, crew transfer, angling, island service, etc. Have you any thoughts on any specific work ? As an example, would crew transfer and island service be considered more of an essential service ?
The MSO will consider “essential services” survey requests on a case by case basis. Owners should apply by SUR6 as normal with full details of the service. The MSO will assess and contact the applicant. Non-essential surveys will be postponed. - If we are required to cease operations, is it acceptable to put to sea with crew only to run engines, check fishing marks, maintenance, overhaul, etc ?
A vessel with a valid PBL may operate without passengers subject to compliance with Government & HSE requirements / restrictions. Vessels without a valid PBL must not engage in commercial operations. - Also, as some boats are due to be surveyed in the next number of weeks, can you please indicate your thoughts on whether these will proceed and would temporary licences be issued in the interim ?
As above, applicants should submit a SUR6 with full details and the MSO will consider on a case by case basis. Non-essential surveys will be postponed.
Marine Notice No. 15 of 2020 issued 23/03/2020
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/71796/1365aead959e4b9498f5578c1f28c920.pdf#page=1