Govt planning new regulations on lifejackets

Marine Minister Dermot Ahern has announced plans to introduce new regulations in relation to the carrying and wearing of life jackets.

Mr Ahern said he was planning to make it compulsory for every vessel to have a lifejacket on board for each of its occupants.

Passengers on small vessels would be obliged to wear the jackets, he said.

At present, only commercial fishermen, children under the age of 16 and jet ski operators were required to wear lifejackets.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has welcomed the plans, saying they could save lives.