Board urges review of ship stability standards

THE Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has expressed concern about the growing number of situations where the stability of boats has been affected by the overloading of vessels.

The MCIB has urged Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to review and revise the current code of practice for fishing vessels to improve stability standards following an inquiry into a fatal accident near Cork Harbour last year.

Jerry Hegarty, a crewman onboard the small fishing vessel Carraig An Iasc, drowned after the boat capsized and sank at Ringabella Bay on January 20, 2011.