Tougher penalties for unsafe boats

MASTERS of unsafe boats will face two years in prison, Junior Marine Minister Pat The Cope Gallagher said yesterday.

New legislation coming into force from next April provides for maximum fines of €250,000 as well as two years in prison.

Mr Gallagher was responding to public dismay that a €1,000 fine was the single penalty that could be imposed on Patrick Barden, the skipper of The Pisces which sank with the loss of five lives off Wexford in July 2002.