New medical regulations for commercial ships and boats have been introduced by the Minister for the Marine. They set out the medical facilities and supplies vessels must have.
Dr Woods said "emergency treatment, if readily available, can buy vital time for the rescue services and may mean the difference between life and death". On-the-spot treatment which is properly administered "can reduce risk to people awaiting rescue or expert medical attention".
Under the new rules, any boat with a crew of 15 or more and at sea for three days or more must have a sick-bay under proper hygienic conditions. Vessels with more than 100 on board on a similar journey must have a doctor on board.
