WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2276/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Sailing accidents
Date: 1997-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: application of EU law, pleasure craft, safety standard, transport accident, transport safety, vessel

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/91

(98/C 76/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2276/97

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(2 July 1997)

Subject: Sailing accidents

In Italy a young woman was recently killed in a simple accident where she fell overboard and was cut to pieces by
the propeller of the motor of the powerful craft on which she was sailing alone.

Given that incidents of this kind are sadly all too frequent during the summer season:

1.  Will  the  Commission  make  it  compulsory  for  a  safety  device  to  be  installed  on  on-board  and  out-board
motors to be attached to the wrist of anyone sailing alone so that the motor is automatically switched off in
the event of a fall or sickness;

2.  Will the Commission call on the Member States to punish severely anyone failing to respect these rules?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1997)

1.
Safety was one of the main considerations during the drafting of Directive 94/25/EC which relates to the
construction of recreational craft (1). The final requirements provide a high level of user protection including
provisions relating to the risk of accident caused by starting a boat engine whilst in gear and aiming to prevent
falling overboard. The device to which the Honourable Member refers is not regulated at Community level under
Directive 94/25/EC.

The provision of such a device might in this case have prevented the accident, but in many cases the ability of the
boat to maintain steerage makes the rescue of the person who has fallen overboard more rapid and in inclement
weather conditions reduces the risk of capsizing.

From  16th  June  1998  all  new  boats  placed  on  the  Community  market  should  comply  with  Directive

2.
94/25/EC. It is up to Member States to ensure this obligation.

(1)  OJ L 164, 30.6.1994.

(98/C 76/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2279/97

by Bartho Pronk (PPE) to the Commission

(2 July 1997)

Subject: Informing the elderly about the arrival of the euro

The elderly are more concerned than others about the euro. There are two reasons for this: firstly, there are the
many changes concerning methods of payment which have already occurred over recent years (for example, the
rapid spread of electronic payment); secondly, the fear that the arrival of the euro will have a negative effect on
provisions for old age, such as pensions.

Is the Commission of the opinion that the elderly are a group eligible for specific targeting concerning the

1.
introduction of the euro?

If so, does the Commission(cid:146)s information policy on the euro already take account of this? If not, does the

2.
Commission feel that it should?

Is  the  Commission  also  of  the  opinion  that  such  information  can  best  be  provided  in  cooperation  with

3.
organizations for elderly people in the Member States?

Finally,  does  the  Commission  have  any  plans  to  conduct  such  an  information  policy  in  future  in

4.
cooperation with organizations for elderly people?