The report into the death of coast guard Volunteer Caitríona Lucas two years ago, has recommended the Minister for Transport review the Irish National Search and Rescue Framework.
The Maritime Casualty Investigation Board conducted the investigation, after the Liscannor librarian died when her boat capsized during a search and recovery operation.
The report found the Irish Coastguard does not have an effective Safety Management System and the Delta RIB was launched in conditions that were outside the operational limits of the vessel.
There were also critical deficiencies in the boats communication and navigation equipment.
It recommends that the Transport Minister reviews and clearly documents the criteria for tasking and launching Coast Guard Boats.
Reacting to the report, Shane Ross says he’s instructed the Irish Coast Guard to accelerate its work in developing an independently accredited ISO safety management system and that “the necessary and pragmatic steps to ensure any issues which could impact on vessel or crew safety are addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Irish Times Marine Correspondent Lorna Siggins has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill about some of the details in the report:
