MARINE NOTICE
No 132 of 2018
General Marine Notice
Prohibition on use of Marked Gas Oil on Personal Pleasure Craft from 1st Jan 2020
Waterways Ireland wishes to inform masters and owners of vessels that the Department of Finance in the Republic of Ireland intends changing the law regarding the use of Marked Gas Oil (MGO) in Private Pleasure Craft from 1st January 2020. The change is subsequent to an EU ruling against Ireland regarding the use of MGO on pleasure craft. The Department of Finance will propose an amendment to the Finance Act 2019, once the amendment is enacted, the use of MGO as a propellant by private pleasure craft will be illegal. The practical repercussions of this are that private pleasure craft will need to use auto diesel as a propellant.
EU Directive 2003/96 defines “private pleasure craft” as “any craft used by its owner or the natural or legal person who enjoys its use either through hire or through any other means, for other than commercial purposes and in particular other than for the carriage of passengers or goods or for the supply of services for consideration or for the purposes of public authorities”.
In simple terms the change to the law means that private and hired pleasure craft operating in the Republic of Ireland must use auto-diesel from 1st January 2020. Commercial and public authority craft are exempt from the requirement.
Further information can be obtained from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation.
P Harkin
Inspector of Navigation
21 December 2018
Tel: 353 87 9852324
“Waterways Ireland, managing and promoting the inland waterways for the benefit of all…”