The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has called for the introduction of alcohol breath testing on all boat users.
It also recommends the introduction of new procedures to enforce regulations controlling the movement of pleasure craft within port areas.
The recommendations are contained in the board's report, published today, into the deaths of four people aboard a yacht that collided with a ship in Dublin Port.
The accident involved the yacht Debonair, which was returning to Malahide from St Patrick's weekend celebrations in Dublin in May 2001. It collided with a cargo ship, the Bluebird, just off Poolbeg Lighthouse.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board makes reference to the post-mortem findings in relation to the levels of alcohol consumed by those aboard the yacht, and says that the helmsman may have had problems with co-ordination.
It finds that the yacht moved from the southern side to the northern side of the channel into the path of the ship, and that it was not displaying the correct navigation lights.
The board says the collision was caused because the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions were not observed, and that the yacht should have kept out of the way of the ship and not crossed the fairway and impeded the passage of the ship.
The board says the Department of the Marine should promote legislation to introduce a breath test for all seafarers and should set maximum blood alcohol levels.
The board does not have the power to apportion blame but can make recommendations based on the findings it reaches.
It says port authorities should meet regularly with sailing clubs and other interested parties to discuss and monitor safety issues.
The International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations body responsible for safety at sea, has already recommended to all member countries, including Ireland, that national legislation should be introduced controlling alcohol consumption by seafarers.
