Solo sailors face safety ban on Irish record bids

YACHTSMEN are facing a Government ban on solo attempts to sail around Ireland.

A safety crackdown following the sinking of the Pisces off the Wexford coast with the loss of five lives means the Department of Marine will hold sailors responsible for any accidents that may occur, leaving them open to prosecution and heavy penalties.

Solo sailors have been warned that they must comply with the rules of the sea which require a proper look-out to be maintained by sight and hearing at all times.

This Government directive effectively bans solo attempts at the Irish record because it takes over four days and nights to cover the 704 miles of Irish coastline and one person could not stay awake and alert for all that time.

According to Afloat magazine, most solo sailors rely on radar alarms to prevent a collision while they sleep. But the Department say this is no longer acceptable.

"There is a sense in the department that these solo attempts have been getting out of hand, some people have set off on this kind of record-breaking attempt without even complying with basic rules, like informing the coastguard," said a source in the Department.

As a result, the Department of the Marine issued an official notice saying it "wishes to remind all solo sailors of their obligations to fully comply at all times by day and night," with international regulations requiring them to keepa look-out.

The notice went on to warn solo sailors of the fines and penalties which would follow if they were to cause a collision at sea.

LIAM COLLINS

Irish Independent 01/01/06