Penalties of over €1,000 are being considered as part of the Government's draft legislation on compulsory lifejacket use on pleasure craft.
The new legislation, published yesterday, will be introduced before the June bank holiday weekend, according to the Minister for the Marine, Mr Ahern.
The wearing of lifejackets will be compulsory on board any boat of seven metres (23 feet) or less in length. In addition, lifejackets or personal flotation devices must be carried on every vessel, regardless of size.
Currently lifejackets are compulsory for fishermen working on deck and at sea, and for children under 16 who are on board vessels which are moving.
This particular measure will not apply to larger cruising vessels, but sailors are advised that lifejackets should be worn at all times on deck.
A two-week consultation is the second such period providing the public with an opportunity to comment on the new rules. It has been extended to allow organisations such as the Irish Sailing Association - which prefers education to legislation - to give its views. A previous consultation period indicated that the majority of leisure craft interests preferred legislation, according to the Maritime Safety Directorate.
The MSD believes those who are not members of Irish Sailing Association-affiliated clubs are at high risk and may not have the necessary safety training.