Wellboat Biosecurity and Reporting
Stages of Cleaning and Disinfecting
Stage 1
- Thoroughly brush / clean solids from all surfaces.
- Using an appropriate detergent, pressure clean the areas and equipment outlined in Section 5 below, as well as all protective clothing.
Stage 2
Complete Stage 1, and in addition
- Steam clean and disinfect all of the above with an approved disinfectant.
- The hull is cleaned and disinfected down to the water line.
Stage 3
Complete Stages 1 and 2 and
- Slip the vessel, clean and disinfect the hull below the waterline.
Requirements for Cleaning and Disinfection
Stage 1
- Completed after every consignment of fish has been unloaded
Stage 2
- When coming to Ireland from aboad
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When moving between bays in Ireland, except when carrying out shuttle runs, between agreed management areas
Stage 3
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When leaving an area infected or suspected of being infected with a listed disease, either within Ireland or abroad.
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If the vessel is entering Irish waters with a fouled hull which has not been defouled within the previous six months.
Paperwork required at each stage
Stage 1
- The cleaning checklist is signed off by the skipper and witnessed by another crew member.
Stage 2
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The cleaning / disinfection checklist is signed off by the skipper and witnessed by another crew member. The manager of the site where the well boat is to be used must satisfy him/herself that cleaning and disinfection has been completed thoroughly by boarding the vessel, speaking with the skipper and carrying out an inspection. The site manager's signature on the cleaning / disinfection checklist is necessary before the boat can commence site operations.
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In situations where a well boat is coming in from outside the country, (except where a Stage 3 disinfection is required), the checklist referred to in the bullet point above must be faxed / e-mailed through to the MI at this point. Boats must travel with a clean (non-fouled) hull, when coming into the country from outside.
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The site manager must also satisfy him / herself in relation to the travel plan used by the well boat, en route to his / her site. This is done by inspecting the vessel's Transportation Log.
Stage 3
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Cleaning and disinfection must be signed off by a vet and a copy of the completed checklist must be faxed through to the Marine Institute before work commences on a new site.
The various stages of cleaning and disinfecting must be carried out as follows:
Stage 1
As soon as work has been completed on a given site
Stage 2
At a location which is at least 5km from an active fish farm
Stage 3
At a suitable port in the country of origin, or in Belfast, Cork or Dublin ports. Once slipped, every effort should be made to steer a course which keeps the vessel at least 5km from the nearest fish farm / processing unit, until it arrives at its destination. If this is not possible from a navigation perspective, the vessel must travel with closed wells when within 5km of a fish farm.
NOTE: Ballast water may not be discharged within 5km of a fish farm.
In addition, it is mandatory for automated cleaning and disinfection equipment as well as automated equipment used in relation to general fish welfare to be serviced at appropriate frequencies and to be properly maintained. Records of such servicing and maintenance must be kept on file and made available for inspection on request.
Follow this link to the Cleaning and Disinfection Declaration Form.