Isles MP says ‘we cannot be complacent’ despite new emergency towing contract

A NEW contract awarded for the operation of the emergency towing vessel in the north and west of the Scottish coast has been welcomed by Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

The emergency towing vessel (ETV) contract has been awarded to Marnavi Spa for the vessel Ievoli Black.

The Ievoli Black is a 70-metre towing vessel and the contract will run until 2028.

The vessel can respond if there is an emergency at sea and tows ships out of danger.

Under the new contract, there is a requirement for the vessel to be flagged to the UK and for the first time it will be operated by an all-UK crew.

Shetland and Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael told Shetland News: “It is good news that the future of the emergency tug has been secured.

“Still more important is the recognition by ministers that long term security of this service was required. It is not just a safety need but an environmental insurance policy, given the dangerous nature of these waters and the vessels involved.

“We fought long and hard over the years to retain this service for the Northern Isles and I am glad that ministers in the Department for Transport have honoured those efforts and not sought to backtrack on them.

“Even so we cannot be complacent. It took a strong local campaign to protect the future of the emergency tug in 2016 – keeping essential services in the isles cannot be taken for granted.”