Safety Statement

Kiwi Girl Boat Trips – Mullaghmore

At Kiwi Girl Boat Trips in Mullaghmore, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. We are committed to full compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and all relevant maritime legislation, including:

Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 273 of 2002)
Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Manning) Regulations 2005

To uphold these standards, we are dedicated to:

Carrying out regular and thorough risk assessments for all activities that may impact the health, safety, or welfare of our crew and passengers.
Maintaining a safe, clean, and fully equipped vessel, including all safety and life-saving equipment in accordance with current regulations.
Providing clear safety information to passengers and ongoing training to our crew to ensure everyone understands their role in maintaining safety onboard.

As Kiwi Girl operates with a licensed skipper, she is classified as a Passenger Boat and is inspected, surveyed, and licensed by the Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD). A current licence is always held on board and available for inspection on request.

We are continually reviewing and improving our safety practices and appreciate the cooperation of all passengers in helping to maintain a safe, responsible, and enjoyable experience on the water.

Duties and Responsibilities for Safety

Skippers, Declan Kilgannon (also the vessel owner) and Michal Czubala hold overall responsibility for safety on board Kiwi Girl. They ensure:

Every passenger receives a comprehensive safety briefing before departure.
The vessel is kept in a seaworthy condition, fully compliant with licensing and inspection requirements.
He is appropriately trained and certified under the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Manning) Regulations 2005, which govern operators of passenger vessels carrying up to 12 passengers.
The vessel remains stable and safe for its intended use at all times.
All crew are trained in emergency procedures including:
- Use of VHF radio
- Making a distress call
- Recovery of a man overboard

Declan/Michal conduct a full safety inspection before each trip, covering equipment checks, fire safety, and general seaworthiness. They will inform Malin Head Coast Guard before each voyage, providing passenger numbers, intended destination, and estimated return time.

They ensure the vessel carries:

Approved life-saving equipment
Recovery devices
An Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

In an emergency, the skipper will take charge and coordinate the response. He is also responsible for recording and reporting accidents.

Accidents and First Aid

In the event of illness or injury, the following contact details apply:

Local GP: Grange Medical Practice – 📞 071 917 3008
Out of Hours (CareDoc): 📞 0818 365 399
Local Gardaí: 📞 071 916 3144
Coast Guard: 📞 999 or 112 or VHF Channel 16

A first aid kit meeting Category C vessel requirements is kept on board, and the skipper is trained in first aid. Major incidents will be coordinated via Medico Cork using VHF “Pan-Pan” protocol. Crew are not permitted to administer medication without Medico Cork’s approval.

Any incident requiring medical treatment or hospitalisation must be reported to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) at www.hsa.ie.

Emergency Procedures

Kiwi Girl is equipped with a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radio system. In distress:
Press and hold the dedicated DSC distress switch for 3 seconds (automatically transmits MMSI + GPS location via Channel 70).
Radio switches to Channel 16 to issue a MAYDAY call.
Activate the EPIRB (P5 model).
Use GPS to update the Coast Guard.
Conserve battery power for critical equipment.
When in doubt, contact emergency services early — better to stand down than call too late.

Abandoning Ship

Abandonment is a last resort. If necessary:

All passengers must wear lifejackets (required for all under 16 by law).
Life raft procedures: launch in clear water, board from the vessel if possible, avoid entering cold water.
Bring EPIRB and handheld VHF into the raft.
Once inside: cut the painter, deploy sea anchor, close entrances, treat seasickness, and maintain lookout.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Management

We conduct formal written risk assessments for all potentially hazardous activities and equipment.

A new risk assessment will be completed if:

New equipment or activities are introduced
Safety performance needs improvement
An accident occurs
A change in legislation or health circumstances arises

Identified Hazards & Control Measures:

Fire

Hazards: Fuel spills, electrical faults, smoking
Controls:

No smoking indoors
No passengers during refuelling
Weekly fire extinguisher checks
Engine space fire system: shut fuel, stop engine, release CO₂
Do not re-enter smoke-filled areas

Man Overboard

Risk: Low
Controls:

High guardrails (110 cm)
Trained crew
Lifebuoys with line + throw bag
Mandatory lifejackets for under 16s
Optional for others, well-maintained

Angling

Risks: Hook injury, bait cutting, sharp fish
Controls:

Instruction for beginners
Skipper cuts bait unless experienced
Safe fish handling guidance

Swimming

Risk: Low–Medium
Controls:

Swim only in safe conditions
Help entering/exiting
Depth explained
PFDs and wetsuits available

Boarding – Slips, Trips, Falls