WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2276/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Sailing accidents
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 Commissionís 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?