Parliament committee criticises tug removal plan
A PARLIAMENTARY select committee has repeated its disappointment with government plans to withdraw emergency towing cover from British waters as of the end of this month.
The transport select committee’s chairwoman Louise Ellman MP said on Friday that the committee remains unconvinced by the wisdom of the decision.
The UK government however has reiterated its view that sufficient commercial tug cover exists around the British coast, including in the northern isles, to allow for the four emergency towing vessels (ETV) to be withdrawn.
An extension of tug cover for The Minch by six weeks is still being considered by the department of transport.
Mrs Ellman said that the committee was pleased that the government had taken on board its previous concern with regards to the planned coastguard re-organisation, but continued to be concerned with the intended withdrawal of the emergency tugs by 30 September.
“I am very disappointed, however, that the government still intends not to renew the contract for emergency towing vessels. These vessels protect our shores from pollution and we are not convinced that suitable commercial alternatives exist,” she said
She added: “Similarly, I am very disappointed that the Maritime Incident Response Group, a partnership between the government and coastal fire services to respond to incidents at sea which require fire-fighting, is not now being funded.
“In my view, key skills and expertise will be lost and lives put at risk because of this short-sighted decision.”
In a written response to the select committee from earlier this month, the department of transport defended its position and said that it continued to believe that ensuring safety in shipping was a matter for industry, and that it was not appropriate for the taxpayer to pay for it.
The department of transport said: “The current contract for the provision of ETVs will end on 30 September 2011. The MCA has been facilitating discussions with interested parties about commercially-based arrangements that will apply in future.
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“The government is satisfied that there is sufficient commercial tug capacity to provide an acceptable response to disabled vessels that break down in the vicinity of the Dover Strait and the South-West approaches.
“The waters off the Shetland and Orkney Islands can be reached within reasonable time by tugs that operate at Sullom Voe or by vessels that service the offshore industry to the west of the Shetland Isles.”
With regards to the tug cover in The Minch, the UK government said shipping minister Mike Penning had met with the ETV working group and recognises that no suitable commercial tugs operate in the area.
“During this meeting the Minister explained that the government would consider extending the provision of an ETV capability in the vicinity of Stornoway by up to six weeks beyond the determination of the extant contract.
“Such extension would be subject to the working group being able to demonstrate a certain plan for future funding in reasonable time to allow Government to procure the necessary short term capability. It is now for the Working Group to respond to that challenge,” the department of transport said in its response to the transport select committee.
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